Wow. Simply wow.
That's all I can say after this morning.
To be honest, going into the World Cup, I didn't care. I'm not a soccer person. But due my passion for my country, I have been watching and rooting for Team USA. Today was a sight to see.
USA advanced on to the second round of the World Cup in dramatic fashion. But that's not the whole story.
There are very few moments in sports that bring together an entire country, this morning was one of those moments. I haven't seen so much American pride on web site, at work, in texts, since the USA-Canada hockey game during the Olympics in February. This was unreal.
I've gotta say, for the first time in a very long time, I'm actually excited for a soccer game. I will be watching as much as I can this Saturday. Wow, I never thought I'd be looking forward to a World Cup game.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
2010 Hockey Hall of Fame Reaction
Yesterday they announced the 2010 inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame. This list actually made me excited because of my favorite all-time players made it in, and it's about time she got her due.
1. Dino Ciccarelli
It's rare when a "journeyman" makes the hall of fame, but Dino isn't your typical journeyman. While he did play for five teams in his 19 year career, he scored 608 goals and collected an even 1200 points. The four-time all-star definitely deserves his due. The only thing he never accomplished was win the Stanley Cup, but that is not a big deal, some of the all-time greats don't have their names on the Cup.
2. Cammi Granato
Stats do not due her justice. In fact due the state of women's hockey, they are very inflated. But her impact on the game is bigger than that. She led the 1998 USA Women's Hockey team to a goal medal in the first Olympic games that including women's hockey. In 2010 it doesn't seem like a big deal, but in 98 it was massive. There was alot of talk that women didn't belong in a man's game, she took the reigns and proved everyone wrong. I'm so happy she made this class. She deserves it big time.
3. Angela James
But you can't talk about women hockey pioneers with talking about Angela James. She brought women's hockey to forefront in Canada. Without her, there might not be a women's hockey division. She never got to play in the Olympics, but if it wasn't for her hard work, there might not have been a Canadian women's Olympic team to begin with.
4. Jimmy Devellano (Builder)
This is the mastermind scout behind three of the Cup wins in New York for the Islanders and the general manager for all four Detroit Red Wing Cup wins from 97-08.
5. Daryl "Doc" Seaman (Builder)
I don't know much about this guy, except he's a major deal in Canada. So I guess he must be deserving if he's included in here.
1. Dino Ciccarelli
It's rare when a "journeyman" makes the hall of fame, but Dino isn't your typical journeyman. While he did play for five teams in his 19 year career, he scored 608 goals and collected an even 1200 points. The four-time all-star definitely deserves his due. The only thing he never accomplished was win the Stanley Cup, but that is not a big deal, some of the all-time greats don't have their names on the Cup.
2. Cammi Granato
Stats do not due her justice. In fact due the state of women's hockey, they are very inflated. But her impact on the game is bigger than that. She led the 1998 USA Women's Hockey team to a goal medal in the first Olympic games that including women's hockey. In 2010 it doesn't seem like a big deal, but in 98 it was massive. There was alot of talk that women didn't belong in a man's game, she took the reigns and proved everyone wrong. I'm so happy she made this class. She deserves it big time.
3. Angela James
But you can't talk about women hockey pioneers with talking about Angela James. She brought women's hockey to forefront in Canada. Without her, there might not be a women's hockey division. She never got to play in the Olympics, but if it wasn't for her hard work, there might not have been a Canadian women's Olympic team to begin with.
4. Jimmy Devellano (Builder)
This is the mastermind scout behind three of the Cup wins in New York for the Islanders and the general manager for all four Detroit Red Wing Cup wins from 97-08.
5. Daryl "Doc" Seaman (Builder)
I don't know much about this guy, except he's a major deal in Canada. So I guess he must be deserving if he's included in here.
15 Things That Will Help Idol (EW Comments)
Last week EW.com released an article called "15 Ways to Fix Idol".
1. Reboot The Judges' Panel, But (Gulp!) Keep Kara
You know what I don't really agree with this one. While Randy and Ellen aren't the best judges, Randy is a stable of the show, and the only original judge left, he has to stay on. Besides it wouldn't be a Tuesday night with hearing someone be called "dawg!" As for Ellen, she is funny and entertaining and got better as the weeks went on last year. Kara is a great judge, but she can't be the only one left of the three. Not going to work at all.
2. Give Us Full Songs
Okay, I have to agree with this, to a point. (Note this is for when they get down to 12) For the first few weeks, they would have to do short songs to get to everyone. For when it's down to 5, to fill the hour and a half time slot allotted, definitely make it full songs. I think it would awesome and add alot.
3. Expand The Weekly List of Pre-Cleared Songs
I couldn't agree with this more, I think if there were more choices, without having to make special requests, then the performances would be better and there wouldn't be the infamous bad song choices.
4. Acknowledge Music Written and Recorded After 1990
You know, this is another completely valid point. I'm all for various specific theme nights, but why have there been three Beatles in a two year span? I LOVE Sinatra, but how many people that are in the audience ever heard of him, and a little highlight package doesn't help. I've even tried to play it like, well they could have a history lesson, then if that's the case many one or two weeks out of the whole season, NOT every week. The suggestions that EW made I would love to see, 90's boy bands and Green Day. Beyonce was mentioned, well let's just make it female artists of the 21st century so Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Pink, as an example, can be included.
5. Update The Opening Credits
I have no idea why this matters, but I do like the idea of putting highlights all the Idol winners on the opening, much more clearer than they are now. But at the same time, I don't have an issues with the opening as it is.
6. Kill The Swayboys! (And Get The Band Down From The Rafters!)
Okay I'll cover this one at a time. Until this season I never even heard the term "Swaybots". Those are apparently the people who sit in the pit area and react to every song, no matter how bad they are. I don't have a problem with them. As a matter of fact, unless you are just completely bored by the on stage performances, why are you even caring what's going on in the crowd? But, the latter part of this I couldn't agree with more. Why is the band up in the rafters? Why aren't they on the stage for the contestants to play off of? I think that would majorly help the performances in general and ease the nerves especially on early weeks of the season.
7. Put the Kibosh on Top 24 Spoilers
Well I love this idea. But at the same time, would this work as a live show? I mean I think it wouldn't really work. The audience would get bored if you don't give them alot of entertaining aspects. So no, I don't agree with this at all.
8. Let The Contestant Write Already!
I actually love this idea. I thought that this year would have been the perfect time to start this. I think, especially for the finale, this should be but in. It worked for Nashville Star, why wouldn't it work here?
9. Create A Banned Song List
You know, I will say I like the idea of a banned song list. My opinions are like this: If a Top 12 Idol sang it last year, it's out. If it was sang during the season already. It's out. If it's just a terrible song, it's out. Very simple.
10. Take Us Behind The Curtain
This concept I really like. I think that's what made the first season so much fun, there was alot more behind the scenes stuff. More interviews in the red room, interviews in dressing rooms. It made it more intimate. This should definitely be brought back for a fresh look.
11. Support Your Alumni Over Flavors-of-the-Week
Ding ding ding! I don't have to add much else except this simple statement. There are enough Idol Alumni with contracts and record deals, that no matter what the theme is there should be an former contestant on the results show performing. End of story. No more random pop stars that happen to have albums out that week. It's not what the show is about or ever was about. I mean, I would sacrifice seeing Bon Jovi just to see Bo Bice on the Idol stage again.
12. Cast A More Diverse Group of Semifinalists
This does make a valid point. At the same time, the best performers should be in the semis, end of story. It shouldn't matter what sex, color or genre they are. The best performers should make it.
13. Condense Gimmicky Auditions
I know that people watch the auditions for the crappy singers, but come on seriously? Limit the crap, show more contenders that actually have a fighting chance of making it. Let's leave it at this, for every Pants on the Ground classic moment there is, there is a Bikini Boy audition that should have NEVER seen the light of day.
14. Ban Lip-Syncing
This hasn't bothered me too much, but it's worth noting. I love group performances, always have. But at the same time, why aren't they all singing live? They have mics, they can easily sing the song. Or is it hiding the fact that some of the contenders aren't that good? Draw you own conclusion but the facts are there, let them just sing or nothing at all.
15. Cut "Greatest Hits" On Finale Night
This article made a valid point. David Cook was the first, and only, the go against the grain and not sing a past favorite on finale night. For me it made him stand out and it definitely helped him win. You would think that after that moment, Idol producers would take a major hint. I mean this is how finale night should be: Producer's choice, personal choice, self-written song. That would make for a great night and no one would complain.
1. Reboot The Judges' Panel, But (Gulp!) Keep Kara
You know what I don't really agree with this one. While Randy and Ellen aren't the best judges, Randy is a stable of the show, and the only original judge left, he has to stay on. Besides it wouldn't be a Tuesday night with hearing someone be called "dawg!" As for Ellen, she is funny and entertaining and got better as the weeks went on last year. Kara is a great judge, but she can't be the only one left of the three. Not going to work at all.
2. Give Us Full Songs
Okay, I have to agree with this, to a point. (Note this is for when they get down to 12) For the first few weeks, they would have to do short songs to get to everyone. For when it's down to 5, to fill the hour and a half time slot allotted, definitely make it full songs. I think it would awesome and add alot.
3. Expand The Weekly List of Pre-Cleared Songs
I couldn't agree with this more, I think if there were more choices, without having to make special requests, then the performances would be better and there wouldn't be the infamous bad song choices.
4. Acknowledge Music Written and Recorded After 1990
You know, this is another completely valid point. I'm all for various specific theme nights, but why have there been three Beatles in a two year span? I LOVE Sinatra, but how many people that are in the audience ever heard of him, and a little highlight package doesn't help. I've even tried to play it like, well they could have a history lesson, then if that's the case many one or two weeks out of the whole season, NOT every week. The suggestions that EW made I would love to see, 90's boy bands and Green Day. Beyonce was mentioned, well let's just make it female artists of the 21st century so Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Pink, as an example, can be included.
5. Update The Opening Credits
I have no idea why this matters, but I do like the idea of putting highlights all the Idol winners on the opening, much more clearer than they are now. But at the same time, I don't have an issues with the opening as it is.
6. Kill The Swayboys! (And Get The Band Down From The Rafters!)
Okay I'll cover this one at a time. Until this season I never even heard the term "Swaybots". Those are apparently the people who sit in the pit area and react to every song, no matter how bad they are. I don't have a problem with them. As a matter of fact, unless you are just completely bored by the on stage performances, why are you even caring what's going on in the crowd? But, the latter part of this I couldn't agree with more. Why is the band up in the rafters? Why aren't they on the stage for the contestants to play off of? I think that would majorly help the performances in general and ease the nerves especially on early weeks of the season.
7. Put the Kibosh on Top 24 Spoilers
Well I love this idea. But at the same time, would this work as a live show? I mean I think it wouldn't really work. The audience would get bored if you don't give them alot of entertaining aspects. So no, I don't agree with this at all.
8. Let The Contestant Write Already!
I actually love this idea. I thought that this year would have been the perfect time to start this. I think, especially for the finale, this should be but in. It worked for Nashville Star, why wouldn't it work here?
9. Create A Banned Song List
You know, I will say I like the idea of a banned song list. My opinions are like this: If a Top 12 Idol sang it last year, it's out. If it was sang during the season already. It's out. If it's just a terrible song, it's out. Very simple.
10. Take Us Behind The Curtain
This concept I really like. I think that's what made the first season so much fun, there was alot more behind the scenes stuff. More interviews in the red room, interviews in dressing rooms. It made it more intimate. This should definitely be brought back for a fresh look.
11. Support Your Alumni Over Flavors-of-the-Week
Ding ding ding! I don't have to add much else except this simple statement. There are enough Idol Alumni with contracts and record deals, that no matter what the theme is there should be an former contestant on the results show performing. End of story. No more random pop stars that happen to have albums out that week. It's not what the show is about or ever was about. I mean, I would sacrifice seeing Bon Jovi just to see Bo Bice on the Idol stage again.
12. Cast A More Diverse Group of Semifinalists
This does make a valid point. At the same time, the best performers should be in the semis, end of story. It shouldn't matter what sex, color or genre they are. The best performers should make it.
13. Condense Gimmicky Auditions
I know that people watch the auditions for the crappy singers, but come on seriously? Limit the crap, show more contenders that actually have a fighting chance of making it. Let's leave it at this, for every Pants on the Ground classic moment there is, there is a Bikini Boy audition that should have NEVER seen the light of day.
14. Ban Lip-Syncing
This hasn't bothered me too much, but it's worth noting. I love group performances, always have. But at the same time, why aren't they all singing live? They have mics, they can easily sing the song. Or is it hiding the fact that some of the contenders aren't that good? Draw you own conclusion but the facts are there, let them just sing or nothing at all.
15. Cut "Greatest Hits" On Finale Night
This article made a valid point. David Cook was the first, and only, the go against the grain and not sing a past favorite on finale night. For me it made him stand out and it definitely helped him win. You would think that after that moment, Idol producers would take a major hint. I mean this is how finale night should be: Producer's choice, personal choice, self-written song. That would make for a great night and no one would complain.
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