The Greatest Day in Motorsports

Unknown to most, but the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend is the greatest day in all of motorsports. It is the day that over 1350 miles of track are used up by the drivers in three of the most spectacular and venerable races of the season. The day begins in Monaco, where we have open-wheel Formula 1 drivers taking on the streets of the fabled citystate in the premier race of the F1 season, The Grand Prix of Monaco. I remember watching this race as a kid, and I think it was my childlike excitement at watching the cars go around that famous hairpin turn at Racasse that turned me on to motorsports.

This year, the winner of the Grand Prix of Monaco was Spaniard Fernando Alonso driving for McLaren Mercedes:



A video of the last lap of the race:


The official Formula 1 website can be found here.

But, the racing's only just begun on this day, as it now crosses the Atlantic to the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing", The Indianaplis 500. This race is one of the oldest in history, this year celebrating it's 91st running.

The winner this year was Scotsman Dario Franchitti, husband of Ashley Judd, and driver for Andretti Green Racing:



A video recap of the race from CBS Sportsline:


The official IRL (Indy Racing League) website can be found here.

And lastly, the racing heads down to Lowe's Motor Speedway outside Charlotte, North Carolina for the running of the longest regularly-scheduled automobile race conducted on an oval track anywhere in the world, The Coca-Cola 600. Formerly called the World 600, this race was devised by promoters back in 1960 as a rival to the Indianpolis 500. Now, however, the races see themselves as partners in this greatest day in motorsports, with several drivers actually running both races in the same day.

This year's winner was Casey Mears, of the fabled autoracing Mears Family. This is Casey's first ever NASCAR Nextel Cup win:



LeAnn Rimes sings the national anthem before the Coca-Cola 600:


The official NASCAR website can be found here.

What better a way to end this post on Memorial day than a great voicing singing the greatest song of freedom, "The Star Spangled Banner."

God bless motorsports and God bless America!!!

They Plump When You Cook 'Em

What would Memorial Day Weekend be without hot dogs?



God Bless America!

Thursday Nights

Ah yes, Thursday nights in the 80s and early 90s. How could I forget? They were all about the trials and tribulations of the residents of Seaview Circle. We had Gary and Val, the oft-married-and-divorced lead couple of the show who moved to town after Gary mother, Miss Ellie, thought it best they leave Dallas and Gary's evil brother J.R. Gary and Val also left behind their teenage daughter Lucy, who by the end of the show was long forgotten as their child. We also had Karen and Sid, another couple on the block. Karen worked at her husband's car dealership. But, he soon died, and she found love in the arms of attorney Mack. The other main couple on the show was Laura and Richard. She was a long-suffering housewife, and he was a lush. He soon left Laura behind, and she found love in the arms of Mack's best pal from childhood, Sumner. But, she died, and he fell in love with Mack's daughter Paige, who's Mama was soon to wreck havoc on many a man and woman's life on the street. But, she never wrecked lives as much as the great diva Abby, Sid's little sister. When Abby found out that Gary had inherited a ton of oil money from his father, she set off for him faster than you can say whore. But, she soon tired of his boozing ways and eventually set her eyes on a bigger prize, good ol' Sumner, who was grieving his wife Laura's death and was unable to really commit to his true love Paige, being his best friend's daughter, and all. Yes, these were the lives that we tuned into for 14 years, the third longest drama in the history of television. I present for your pleasure, the opening credits of the best night time soap opera ever (yes, better than Dallas and Dynasty combined)...Knots Landing!!!



For more information on this most brilliant of television shows, I point you to this great website I just discovered. Now, instead of watching the show, I'll be consumed with reading about it every Thursday night. It'll be just like the old days. Well, almost...

American Non-Idol

Tonight, America's idol voters proved it once again. They have no taste. Last year on American Idol we witnessed the voting off in an early round of the best singer that season, Chris Daughtry, in favor of half-talent Taylor Hicks. In previous years we witnessed the voting off of other more talented singers in the early rounds such as Broadway star Diana Degarmo and this year's Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actress, Jennifer Hudson. I'd even mention Clay Aiken, if I liked him and/or thought he had talent.

But this year, the voters topped even themselves. They chose to vote off Melinda Doolittle, who was far and above the best singer ever to appear on the program in it's history. I say that being a HUGE Carrie Underwood fan, which was the one winner that America got right. Carrie's multiple awards across many different academies proves that, much less the millions of albums she has sold so far.

But this year, they got it wrong. Again. Way wrong!

So, in honor of Melinda, I present the following for your enjoyment. Clive Davis, if you're reading this (which I doubt), pick up the phone and dial Melinda NOW!

"I Believe In You And Me"


"I'm A Woman"


"My Funny Valentine"


"Trouble Is A Woman"


"Sway"


"As Long As He Needs Me"


"I Got Rhythm"


"Home"


"There Will Come A Day"


"Since You Been Gone"


Of course, this isn't all the songs that Melinda sang, but it gives a great representation of her vocal ability, range, talent, and personality.

I'm dialing in for Jordin next week. Blake is a cutie, but he's just not the best of the remaining two singers. I encourage you all to do the same.

The Goddess That Is Pam Anderson

Pam Anderson is a goddess. I just love the woman. I can't even begin to say how much I respect, admire, and just think she's the best. While I knew she started out in Playboy, followed by a short stint on "Home Improvement", and a much longer (and career-building) one on "Baywatch," it was her own show "V.I.P." that totally turned me on to the wonderous beauty (both inside and out) that Pam truly is. Here's a clip of one of my favorite scenes from the show. In it, Pam (as Valerie Irons) is fighting her evil nemesis who has had plastic surgery and has been impersonating her throughout the episode for some nefarious purpose. Just admire the so-bad-they're-good production qualities...



And yes, the first season of "V.I.P" is now available on DVD. Check it out! You know you want to...

Saturday Nights

It wouldn't be a Saturday night without some clips from the best television show that was ever on television ever. I remember being able to stay up late as a kid to watch this show. It was a modern show but was also such a throwback to the shows of the 1950s that my parents loved so much. These three clips really bear that idea out.







No, it's not Charo, but it's Ann, Ethel, and Carol! And Merrill Stuebing (who really needs "the girl". Yeah, right!)

HIlarity Ensues!

I remember watching Match Game as a kid with my mom after school. It's always one of the most nostalgic and (dare I say) heartwarming memories from my childhood. I don't remember this one at all, but it's SO typical of the show, I had to post it.



Sadly, I think most of the panel members are dead now. For me, this was when television was really in its heyday. What's on now is pretty much crap.

BOOBS!

Rudy in 2008

In a departure from fun TV video clips, I present the following video links. It's very clear to me that Rudy Guiliani is THE man for the job in 2008. He's got my support. I hope he has yours, too.

Rudy Turns Around New York City with Optimistic Leadership

Rudy On Optimistic Leadership

I will tell you, I'm not just a post-9/11 Rudy supporter. I moved to New York in 1996 and was fortunate enough to cast my first vote for him as mayor in 1997. Had I been able, I would have voted for him in 2001.

So, I'm not just voting for him because of his courageous and extraordinary actions on that fateful day almost six years ago. I'm voting for him because he has the vision, the plan, and the ideas that this country needs to take it into the next decade, internationally and (more importantly) domestically.

He understands that it's more important and socially beneficial to give a "hand up" instead of a "hand out" to those in need. He knows the need for all people to be seen as equal under the law. He is the only candidate who is speaking frankly about the true threat of global Islamofascist terrorism.

And most importantly, on all of these (and other) issues, he faces them with a sense of reality of situation and knowledge of the intricacies involved that I do not see in any other candidate of either party. He is the President that we have needed for a very long time. He IS the man for the job.

For more information, check out Rudy's website. You might just be surprised at what he has to say.

Fire!

Not the clip I was looking for, but here's a great clip from the most Absolutely Fabulous television show ever!



For more info on ABFAB, here's the official BBC website.

"Yeah, cheers, thanks a lot!"

My First Post

Enjoy this absolutely hilarious long lost clip from the funniest of variety shows ever, "The Carol Burnett Show."