The Browns could have been trading with the Jets in Draft Day movie
April 14, 2014Tribe Weekend Recap: Masterson’s ill-timed stinker, the Carrasco conundrum, Asdrubal’s impatience, and roster decisions
April 14, 2014Say something! I struggle to think of many environments—especially work-enviroments where individuals are there by chance more than choice—where any sort of prank can carry on for a full month, but such was the case with cup-of-coffee Cleveland Indian Jeff Francouer. If you’re somehow unaware of this masterpiece, let’s take a step back: Since being granted his exit from the Indians’ minor league system, Francouer caught on with the El Paso Chihuahuas. In his month with the team, the Chihuahuas, from the top down, had the long-time outfielder convinced that one of his teammates was deaf—when he most definitely is not. Even better: They created this mockumentary.
Be sure to watch all the way through—from the over annunciation all the way to the end as Frenchy finds out he’s been fooled. It’s seven minutes that are well worth your time. Hand signals.
***
Congrats, Bubba. For the second time in three years, Bubba Watson took the Green Jacket home from Augusta, capping off an excellent weekend with a 3-under in Sunday’s final round. The story, at least in the short term, may be the play of Jordan Spieth who, at age 20, was leading by two shots at the eighth tee. This kid’s future will instantly be put under a microscope as the golf world looks for the next big star stemming from the same tournament that may have simultaneously signaled the end for it’s biggest in Tiger Woods. For Watson, however, to birdie both eith eighth and ninth holes just a few hours after holding a triva contest on Twitter—well, the game may not need Spieth at all. For all that he gets criticized, Watson was nails. With a three-stroke lead on 15, Watson could have let up and played it safe, giving back a stroke or two. Instead, he took a 6-iron 190 yards, through a hole in a tree, over water and onto the green on the par-5 15th—he got there in two. Watson is quirky in a game that typically rewards stoic, emotionless behavior. He rarely plays by the book, both on and off of the course. His caddy even thinks he’s a bit crazy.
It wasn’t all that long ago when Rory McIlroy, then at age 23, was the perceived heir to the throne. So rather than searching for the next big name, maybe we should see the forest for the trees—pun, fully intended. Hell, Watson already owns Woods’ old house, fire hydrant and all.
***
The Nation goes Network. Unless you’ve been living under the proverbial rock, you’re aware that Stephen Colbert has been tabbed as the replacement for David Letterman following his impending retirement in 2015. As a huge fan of Colbert, I couldn’t be more excited for myself as a fan of entertaining television, but more so for Colbert who will finally be able to shed the character he’s played for most of the last decade over at Comedy Central. When the announcement was made and took Twitter by storm, it was met with positivity from the majority of individuals whose opinion I value. Then there are those who simply pan everything—they’re just the worst type of humans imaginable. In between, however, were those who thought it was a poor decision because they didn’t enjoy “The Colbert Report.” This is a—for lack of a better term—silly way to look at this. Sure, you can feel left in the dust when network talk shows are angling themselves toward younger crowds1, but let’s not pretend that Letterman and Jay Leno were always dinosaurs; these guys were the next big thing—30 years ago. Juding Colbert on the merits of his political-based COMEDY show is akin to saying LeBron James isn’t an All-World basketball player because the movie he was supposed to be in got shelved. This Ben Collins piece sums it up perfectly: “Now he’ll get to be himself. And he’ll be the best in the world at it.”
***
Speaking of late night. I couldn’t stay up through all of Mad Men last night. Man, is 10 p.m. is tough on a Sunday. This, however, won’t stop me from reading all about it this morning. I recommend Molly Lambert’s weekly column which should hit Grantland sometime later today.
***
And just because: Some people just can’t take a hint.
- The Roots are still one of the greatest things to happen to late night in a LONG time. [↩]
5 Comments
Judging Colbert on the merits of his political-based COMEDY show is akin to saying LeBron James isn’t an All-World basketball player because the movie he was supposed to be in got shelved.
I don’t know. Late Night shows typically have a bit of politically based comedy. I’m interested to see what route he goes, but I have only found him funny in small doses, so I’m not very excited. We’ll see, but I’ll probably end up just watching him like I do the others now: just see the funny viral videos/sketches they produce.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD7Jk2vNxuQ
There’s a chasm between political comedy and playing a character who discusses politics in a humorous way. (i.e. Jon Stewart.)
Yeah, I get that, which is why I’m willing to give him a shot to see which direction he goes with it. But, the fact that I didn’t enjoy his Comedy Central show will likely factor into how many chances I give him (if it appears he utilizes the same devices I didn’t enjoy, then I’ll cut bait quicker). Just how it is.
I feel like I’m rereading the weekend newspapers here now except it’s Monday!
Colbert is over the top on his show on Comedy Central he’s way more a “character” then is John Stewart on his show. I’ve never been a Letterman fan so for me personally I don’t really care how Colbert plays out I’d much rather watch Fallon and DVR Kimmell.