ACLU goes after Patriot Act

Ann Beeson, the ACLU's chief lawyer in this case, is a cousin of my wife Kebra. Suit Challenges Constitutionality of Powers in Antiterrorism Law

"Diner", the TV series pilot

This article talks about a series on the Trio channel called "Brilliant But Cancelled", where they show rare episodes of old TV series that didn't make it. Included in the latest batch is the pilot episode of "Diner", a TV series based on the movie.

I actually remember watching this pilot when it aired in 1983. It sucked because Paul "Modell" Reiser was the only guy from the movie to reprise his character, and the actors playing the other Diner guys were nobodys. At least they were nobodys then -- it turns out they included James Spader playing "Fenwick" and Michael Madsen playing "Boogie". I remember the story involved the guys trying to lure the recently-married Eddie to come out with them once in a while. It was pretty dull. And as a fan of the original movie, it was impossible for me to get used to other people playing those roles.

CNN.com - Offensive? Appalling? Funny? 'Banzai'! - Jul. 29, 2003

I haven't seen "Banzai" on Fox yet, but this description made me laugh out loud.

Offensive? Appalling? Funny? 'Banzai'! - Jul. 29, 2003: "In the very first stunt, viewers were asked to guess how many helium balloons would need to be attached to a chicken before it becomes airborne. If you guessed 90, you win.

'You brave little chicken! We will never forget you!' host Burt Kwouk says as 'Larry' floats skyward, with REO Speedwagon's 'Keep on Loving You' on the backing soundtrack. Animal rights activists were appalled. "

Just a bit outside

Bob Uecker gave what must be the the nuttiest Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech ever.

The Beltran Predicament

An ESPN.com writer says Royals GM Allan Baird would be insane to even consider trading Carlos Beltran at this time. Hard to argue. Beltran's "I want to play for a winning team" stance hadn't won him many local fans, but most of them are on the Beltran bandwagon after last weekend's performance.

Lauren & Snoop

At the Kansas City stop of the "Rock The Mic" tour, Snoop Dogg "even invited a stable of girls-gone-wild to dance on stage." My 16-year old niece Lauren was one of these girls. Her parents are so proud.

Royals circa July 2002

CNN's home page has a link to John Donovan's midseason MLB "report cards", but when you click on the report for the AL Central, it screws up and takes you back to LAST YEAR's midseason report. (Note the URL contains 2002/07/08). It's actually kind of funny -- the Royals get an 'F', and the last line says "This is one of those no-hope franchises, for this season or any coming up." :-D

'Queer Eye' a hit

From Yahoo News: TV Show 'Queer Eye' Smash Ratings Hit for Bravo. I watched the two premiere episodes on Tuesday and thought they were hilarious. Stop looking at me like that.

More Royals

John Donovan from SI.com gives the Royals a bit of national attention. Interesting quote: "In the last 50 years, according to The Kansas City Star, 31 teams have had that big of a lead [7 games] at the All-Star break and only two have NOT won their division."

Reason To Believe

Bob Dutton of the KC Star provides a great summary of the Royals season so far. Tony Pena is The Man. I'm hoping to be at the K on Thursday when the team resumes after the All-Star break.

'M*A*S*H' season four on DVD

Aaron Barnhart talks about the arrival of Col. Potter & B.J.
Kansas City Star | 07/15/2003 | `M*A*S*H's' season of transition comes to DVD

Your Daily Show of Shows

A few years ago, when "The Daily Show" replaced host Craig Kilborn with Jon Stewart, I was rather disappointed. Stewart didn't seem to have any sincere interest in the news -- his comedy was mostly about himself. My opinion has since totally reversed. Kilborn's schtick has grown tiresome, while Stewart has flourished. In particular, I've seen Stewart do interviews with "serious" guests like Newt Gingrich, Madeleine Albright, and Sidney Blumenthal that were both insightful AND funny, something Kilborn could never do. I now try to watch "The Daily Show" every chance I get. Here's a transcript of PBS's Bill Moyers interviewing Stewart.
NOW: Transcript - Bill Moyers Interviews Jon Stewart | PBS

I Want My Two Dollars!

Did you submit a claim earlier this year in that class-action lawsuit against the record companies about compact disc prices? If so, you may actually be getting a little bit of money soon. Click here for the latest details: CD MAP Settlement

Not That There's Anything Wrong With That

Queen for a Day: My Gay Makeover -- a NYTimes article about a new TV show on the Bravo channel (Tuesday nights) "in which five fashionable gay men remake, redecorate and reoutfit the lives and apartments of hapless heteros". Scary and strangely compelling at the same time. No, not compelling in that way, jeez.