ZuDfunck

Grammy Live 4pm ET: Grammy Pre-Show Webcast

SO it is Sunday, some great stuff upcoming tonight the Grammy’s. Oh how we love the Grammy’s I still have it stuck in my head when Stevie Wonder started playing the opening chords to ‘You Haven’t Done Nothing’ and the crowd just lit up and went nuts!

Anyone out there remember that? Though there are no longer the stars or emotion of that era it’s still pretty good drama beamed live across the world so if you have the time check it out!

There is even a Pre-Show Webcast:

Sir Charles Barkley Busted For Suspicion of Drunk Driving, Oh No!

Sir Charles got busted, say it ain't so Chuck!
Barkley is so cool and such a good member of the best Sports Studio Show the NBA on TNT I hope this doesn't mean he will be removed or punished. Here's the story from USA Today:

Tough week behind the wheel in Arizona for sports celebrities.

Charles Barkley apparently has some explaining to do after getting arrested on suspicion of drinking and driving early this morning.  The AP reports Barkley was pulled over around 1:30 a.m. in Scottsdale's Old Town area by an officer who saw him run a stop sign.

Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler told the AP Barkley declined a breath test but was given a blood test; results weren't immediately available.  After the former NBA star and TNT commentator was processed, he was cited, released and left in a cab, police said.

"There was nothing unusual about how he was taken into custody," Shuhandler said. "He was treated exactly like we treat anybody else."

Yesterday, we told you about Danica Patrick getting a speeding ticket in the Phoenix area.  It was the second this year for the Indy circuit driver.

Source

Weekend TV Ratings for Sports ZuD Watches

The USA Today's Sports Media God analyzes this past weekend's top events:

Given the clamor for years about college football's Bowl Championship Series — and the various groups involved with competing interests — it seems astonishing that President-elect Barack Obama would want to wade anywhere near the quagmire. In election-eve comments on ESPN, he said he'd like to see a college football playoff. On CBS' 60 Minutes, he went into more detail, suggesting "you could trim back on the regular season" to accommodate an eight-team playoff.

It might be interesting to see how the White House could influence college football, but it's hard to imagine how even the proverbial Leader of the Free World could somehow straighten out how the sport crowns its champion. But then again, nobody has tried airstrikes.

Event	Day, time (p.m., ET)	Rating (households)	Outlet
NFL: main gameSan Diego- Pittsburgh	Sunday, 4:15	14.3 (11 million)	CBS
The comparison: Down 16% from comparable coverage, featuring Dallas-Washington game, in time slot last year.
The spin on the spin:The Steelers' 11-10 win shows NFL games, if close, don't need much scoring to be solid draws.
NFL: Dallas-Washington	Sunday, 8:30	13.5 (10.4 million)	NBC
The comparison: Up 25% from New England-Buffalo game in time slot last year.
The spin on the spin: As with the Steelers' win, TV star Dallas, in 14-10 victory, shows fans don't need much scoring to keep them watching.

College football: South Carolina-Florida	Saturday, 3:30	3.7 (2.8 million)	CBS
The comparison: Up 28% from LSU-Mississippi game in time slot last year.
The spin on the spin: Not bad, considering third-ranked Florida won in a suspenseless 56-6 blowout.
NASCAR: Ford 400	Sunday, 3:45	3.6 (2.7 million)	ABC
The comparison: Down 5% from comparable coverage last year.
The spin on the spin: Not much suspense in Jimmie Johnson nailing down a season title in NASCAR's finale, but the same core fans tune in no matter what.

Lost Season Five Returns 1/21/09 Teaser

This Blog I have is turning into TV Guide for morons. Oh Speak for yourself! I really like this show for the weekly head scratching it induces. But I swear, if they waste one more year of my life with another dead alley chase down nowhere to just to get to where we began, ZuD is done!

You hear me Lost, I can't take another now you see me, now you don't, season, I just can't!

Sorry this show effects me like no other. I guess that's why I watch it.

My Name Is Earl Sells Out To Jewelry Store Chain

Now ZuD is a big boy and understands folks with a DVR are skipping commercials but don't punish my DVR hating viewing habits with such obvious embedded commercial crap like this.

Brooke Shields Making Splash in Anti-Baby Campaign

The old girl looks good as she makes her claims

Fox Dotcom Desk Has Some Babes

Particularly fascinating when the brunette prints a document. Go here and follow Red Links

Network and Cable Coverage for Democratic and Republican Conventions

Network

•ABC. Anchors Charles Gibson, Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos; analysts include George Will, Donna Brazile and Matthew Dowd; World News, Good Morning America, Nightline and This Week move to Denver and St. Paul. Elsewhere: ABC News Now, the digital channel, goes gavel-to-gavel for coverage.

•CBS. Anchor Katie Couric, with Bob Schieffer and Jeff Greenfield; The Early Show, CBS Evening News and Face the Nation are on location. And more Katie: After each prime-time hour, Couric will continue coverage with a 15-30 minute Web-only special on CBSNews.com and CNETTV.com

•NBC. Brian Williams anchors, with Chuck Todd and Tom Brokaw. NBC Nightly News and Meet the Press air from the convention, with Today's Matt Lauer on scene both Thursdays and Fridays. Up and coming: Luke Russert, 22-year-old son of the late Tim Russert, joins network and MSNBC cable coverage as correspondent at large, with a focus on youth issues.

•PBS. Airs live uninterrupted, Monday-Thursday 8-11 p.m. or to finish. Jim Lehrer anchors, with Mark Shields and David Brooks. Highlights: Conversations with historians provide perspective and context; online daily school lesson plans, teen journalist reports.

Cable

Live reports morning through late night, gavel-to-gavel prime time; most regular programming moves on site.

•CNN. Anchors include Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer, Campbell Brown, Soledad O'Brien. American Morning kicks off the day at 6 a.m.; a special midnight edition of Larry King wraps things up. What's for lunch: Live guests and panel discussions air from the "CNN Grill" through the day, at Brooklyn's Restaurant in Denver and the Eagle Street Grill in St. Paul.

•Fox News. Anchors include Brit Hume, Shepard Smith and Neil Cavuto (Chris Wallace's Fox News Sunday also airs on site), with Nina Easton, Bill Kristol, Mara Liasson, Dick Morris and Juan Williams. Fox and Friends opens the day at 6 a.m., On the Record wraps up, 11 p.m.-1 a.m. Theme: "The Fox Experience," at Braun's Bar & Grill in Denver and in a large custom tent across from the St. Paul center, hosts live programming.

•MSNBC. Anchors Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, with Rachel Maddow, Pat Buchanan, Mike Murphy, Harold Ford Jr., plus NBC News regulars. Hours are 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, including Hardball at 5, Race for the White House at 6 and prime-time coverage beginning at 7. Eye-opener: Joe Scarborough and Morning Joe telecast live from Sam's No. 3 Grill & Bar in Denver, Keys Café in St. Paul, 6-11 a.m.

•Less conventional. Comedy Central's Daily Show is on the scene 11 ET/PT; C-SPAN, live 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; interstitial kids' coverage on Nickelodeon; BET and TV One report live nightly from the Democratic convention.

Via

NBA Finals Mojo Enhancing Post, Get Your Mojo Working Here!

USAToday has some of the best sports media coverage I have come across and today is no exception. Sir Charles, Van Gundy and the guy I call the Sports Media God all have columns:

Sir Charles:

Don't try to convince me about home-court advantage. Yes, it has been a difference-maker this postseason. But, no, it does not serve Boston well. I've always believed that the 2-3-2 format is a significant disadvantage for the home team. Yes, the Celtics could play four games in Boston, but they need to win the first two. Advantage: road team, baby.

Van Gundy:

As far as the 2-3-2 Finals schedule format, I still think the best team wins. But without question, that format benefits the home team. If you split the first two games and win one of three on the road, you come home down 3-2 — but with two home games to close it out. That's a great advantage to the Celtics.

Michael Hiestand:

Then there's the series' big selling point: It will let baby boomers marinate in the resurrection of the once-famous rivalry that will let them reminisce about their youth. Plus they can tell today's youngsters about the great stars of the good old days, and today's youth presumably will have to play along if those baby boomers are paying for the game-time snacks.

So there you have it. If your like me after the lull since the conference finals you may of lost your Mojo for playoff basketball and have difficulty getting it flowing again. But hopefully you get it back before 9pm EDT when the ABC network will bring you one of the best NBA Finals ever.

ZuDfunck Widens Focus of His Blog and Monday Night Televiewing

Random Thoughts as we enter yet another change in focus:
The multi-faceted realm of Popular Culture
The niche of NASCAR was just to narrow!
Popular Culture according to my notes is:

Popular culture (also known as pop culture) deemed as what is popular within the social context — that of which is most strongly represented by what is perceived to be popularly accepted among society. Otherwise, popular culture is also suggested to be the widespread cultural elements in any given society that are perpetuated through that society's vernacular language or lingua franca. It comprises the daily interactions, needs and desires and cultural 'moments' that make up the everyday lives of the mainstream. It can include any number of practices, including those pertaining to cooking, clothing, consumption, mass media and the many facets of entertainment such as sports and literature. Source: Wikipedia

So that about covers everything I blog about. Pretty clever, eh?

This Week In NASCAR:
Chad Knaus, Jimmie Johnson's crew cheif was on with Michael Waltrip and Chad took a shot at Mikie!
A viewer question had to do with what happens to the scrap that falls off cars after a wreck and Michael went into this long thing bout how they become souvenirs for the fans. And then out of the blue Chad brings up sway bars. Well Michael recovered quick and asked Chad if he had any cause he was short a full set, but the shot was felt I think.

MSNBC's Hardball w/Chris Matthews:
Chris was like a Pig in Slop. Interviewing or spewing , sometimes he just rants with Scott McClellan. All kind of Detailed under the hood, behind the scenes questions that eventually just made my head hurt. But for the political junkies and Matthew lovers it was a grand moment

WWE's Monday Night RAW:
At the beginning of the main event between John Cena and Jeff Hardy some huge Mark Henry looking dude climbed in the ring and started going for Cena. An official and some other equally huge security person swooped into the ring and took him out. Difficult to say how they managed because the camera immediately panned away to Jeff Hardy to avoid showing the guy. JR and King joked it was live TV and Cena and Jeff had smiles as they tried to get back in character and proceed with the match. Oh yeah it was a first contenders match and it determined that Cena will fight Triple H at the next pay per view. No surprises there.

So there is your random viewing for Monday night, some say I am merely justifying my over watching of my Plasma but you know better don't you ZuDDies. It's because I am providing a service to all my precious subscribers of my feed who do have a life and can't watch this stuff themselves.

 

Budweiser Shootout 2008 Results

ZuD isn't  stat guy but I know some you are here ya go:

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Order of finish for Saturday's   Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway (Lap length: 2.5 miles;   Starting position in parentheses):

 1.  (7) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 70, 143.3.
 2. (10) Tony Stewart, Toyota, 70, 108.5.
 3. (18) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 70, 79.2.
 4. (22) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 70, 80.1.
 5.  (6) Reed Sorenson, Dodge, 70, 102.3.
 6. (16) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 70, 85.7.
 7. (19) Dave Blaney, Toyota, 70, 99.4.
 8.  (2) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 70, 76.0.
 9. (12) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 70, 68.9.
10.  (8) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 70, 62.5.
11.  (3) Michael Waltrip, Toyota, 70, 66.3.
12. (20) Carl Edwards, Ford, 70, 79.0.
13. (15) Dale Jarrett, Toyota, 70, 38.1.
14. (21) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 70, 50.1.
15. (13) Ken Schrader, Dodge, 70, 45.9.
16. (11) J.J. Yeley, Toyota, 70, 43.7.
17. (23) Ryan Newman, Dodge, 70, 42.4.
18.  (1) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 70, 55.3.
19.  (5) David Gilliland, Ford, Accident, 48, 69.0.
20. (17) Greg Biffle, Ford, Accident, 48, 33.6.
21.  (9) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, Accident, 47, 58.7.
22.  (4) Jamie McMurray, Ford, Accident, 24, 90.4.
23. (14) Bill Elliott, Ford, Accident, 15, 23.3.

---

Race statistics 

Time of Race: Average Speed of Race Winner: 140.751 mph.
Time of Race: 1 hour, 14 minutes, 36 seconds
Margin of Victory: .136 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 4 for 16 laps.
Lead Changes: 17 among 8 drivers.

Lap Leaders: M. Waltrip 1; D. Gilliland 2-3; M. Martin 4; M. Waltrip 5; D. 
  Earnhardt Jr. 6-22; C. Edwards 23; D. Earnhardt Jr. 24-27; D. Blaney 28-31; 
  D. Earnhardt Jr. 32-37; T. Stewart 38; D. Earnhardt Jr. 39-41; J. Gordon 42; 
  D. Earnhardt Jr. 43-49; D. Blaney 50-52; D. Earnhardt Jr. 53-60; T. Stewart 
  61-68; D. Earnhardt Jr. 69-70.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Led, Laps Led: Dale Earnhardt Jr. 7 times for 
  47 laps; Tony Stewart 2 times for 9 laps; Dave Blaney 2 times for 7 laps; David 
  Gilliland 1 time for 2 laps; Michael Waltrip 2 times for 2 laps; Carl Edwards 
  1 time for 1 lap; Jeff Gordon 1 time for 1 lap; Mark Martin 1 time for 1 lap.

Awaiting Daytona 500 Qualifying

As we paused to grab our breath from that excitement filled Bud Shootout and await qualifying today on Fox at 1pm EST I wanted to share the experience and elation I felt when I flipped on the HD channel of Fox and saw in High Definition the Old Daytona Track in the splash of lites and depths of color that must be truly awesome to see in person.

Man what I felt being 1500 miles away must be just spectacular up-close in the stands. The sounds sights and smells must be magnificent but yet and still it is all that in my living room. I can’t think of any sport except for football that provides that kind of intimacy via TV and in HD it’s breathtaking!

So I will have my Bacon and Eggs, Ruffles and Dip, Coke and Ice ready at 1pm to soak in all the drama that comes with making the big one or packing up and going home…

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wins Bud Shootout

Junior wins! His first in two Years!

Image courtesy: Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie The "On Pit Row" Nascar blog

ZuDfunck, NASCAR Fan, Y'all

As I await the Bud Shootout tonight at 8pm EST on Fox and transform my four-year-old blog into a NASCAR blog I thought I would officially proclaim my self a NASCAR Fan. For those who don’t know me I am an over fifty hippy of some repute who in my earlier years developed alternate content via telephone answering machines in the seventies and eighties and used the web in the years of this decade to delight and inform all generations on what is hip and important. So I am taking a huge sidestep to devote my energies toward NASCAR, but I do it both on a casual basis and in a fundamental political way to proclaim that one needn’t be from the Southeastern United States to be a NASCAR fan.

In yesterdays Trading’ Paint episode on the Speed channel Kyle Petty spoke to that exact point that NASCAR needs to return to it early ways but also grow its base and I think its important as did he that Fans down south have an inherent right to dis anyone that isn’t their neighbor. Just as Hockey fans shouldn’t dis southern US fans. As a politically entrenched liberal with a strong distaste for what President Bush has left us I shouldn’t be disqualified from being a welcome member to the NASCAR fan base.

I would like to get your reactions to what I am saying and hope you welcome me as I welcome you to this blog.

Bud Shootout Preliminaries 2008, Get Stoked!

I am so stoked to be in the month of February not only did we last weekend have one of the best Super Bowls ever with the denial of supremacy and perfection to the Patriots but we also have the second Super Bowl coming up rapidly and if last nites practice for the shootout is any indication we have another anxiety ridden set of broadcasts to come out of Florida the next eight days.

I am trying to capture the footage and link to it but until I can take my word for it and set your clickers on Fox at 8PM Eastern and settle in for some rockem sockem Racing courtesy Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch…

I am watching Speed right now and Dave Despain just said there were some fisticuffs! All right! Hope he clocked Busch. Speaking of Despain he is anchoring some of the hundred hours of coverage down there with one of the old time announcers Ken Squier and he kind of has this John Madden/Andy Rooney thing going for him.

ZuD's Nascar Viewing Guide for Saturday 2/9/08

Lost: Oh Yeah, where were we?

Fox Goes SRO Ad-wise for Super Bowl

Lets just hope the ads are funny:

Sources at Fox confirmed today (Jan. 29) that the final in-game Super Bowl commercial spot for the Feb. 3 telecast has been sold, but officials at the network were mum as to who it was sold to. And some within the network indicated that it might have not been sold to a new advertiser but instead to an one already in the game, either as another unit or as an add-on, boosting a 30-second spot to a 60-second unit.

Via MEDIAWEEK

Oceanic Airlines Billboard Sighting

Call your travel agent or click here

R Rated NFL Commentary

 Announcer: "And Powers hands off to Johnson, left side, gain of       maybe 1."   

 

      Commentator: "Are you f------ kidding me? That stupid s--- hasn't worked all day. This coaching staff needs to get its head out of its ass."

 

      Announcer: "No argument there. That brings up third and long. Powers drops back, looks down field, pressure's coming ... and he's sacked by Sanderson."

 

      Commentator: "Nice job, a------. Powers, you f------ suck in the pocket. You gotta get rid of it quick, d---head. Three years since he's left Texas State, this turd-hammer still hasn't figured that out."

 

      Announcer: "Here comes the punting unit. Kick's away, but ... oh, f--- me gently with a chainsaw! I think we're going to have running into the kicker. Powers and company better gets their d---- out of their hands, because they are heading back on to the field."

 

      Commentator: "That sucks s--- through a straw."

Source: HardyVision