Jay GreesonMorning, let's handle our business.
Here's today's A2 column from a round-faced fella on the Chattanooga shooting last weekend.
Here's Paschall on the possible schedule dilemma facing UT with the discussions of eight- vs. nine-game schedules.
As for the Rushmores, let's go with these.
Rushmore of Mayberry residents not named Taylor or Fife: Otis Campbell, Gomer Pyle, Floyd the Barber, Ellie Walker (always liked her more than Helen Crump).
Rushmore of cop-based TV shows: "The Wire," "Law&Order" "NYPD Blue" and "Hill Street Blues." (Went with actual badge-carrying police officers rather than feds like '24.')
Clint Eastwood's Rushmore: "Unforgiven," "Outlaw Josey Wales," "In the Line of Fire," "Gran Torino."
Rushmore of 'memories:' "Misty, water-colored Memories (of the way we were)," Photographic memory, Memory foam mattress, memory card.
From Peter
I could not believe that Dana Carvey is that old. Wow I guess that means I'm old too.
Is his President Bush the best political impersonation in SNL history?
Thanks for the 5-at-10 - it's a highlight of my workday.
Peter
Dana Carvey turning 67 on Thursday made me feel old, too, Peter. So it goes.
Carvey's version of Bush I was excellent, and it was also decent, as in it was an impersonation and took an occasional jab but was not the over-the-top harshness that is done today.
Tina Fey's Sarah Palin is in the discussion too. And both of those looked just like their targets.
I guess Chevy Chase doing Gerald Ford was the first SNL presidential impersonation, and it mainly centered on Ford falling, which is rather ironic since Ford likely was the most athletically accomplished person in the Oval office.
Kate McKinnon crossing over as current male politicians and political figures (Jeff Sessions comes to mind) is pretty funny too.
And there are a slew of great ones. Will Ferrell as 'W' got us 'Strategery' which is a forever gift. Alec Baldwin's Trump was pretty excellent and is part of a strong crew of non-cast members who specialize in an impersonation like Larry David's Bernie Sanders, Melissa McCarthy's Sean Spicer, John Goodman's Janet Reno
From Spy
So, 5, just who will be broadcasting this renegade tour? Because if there isn't a regular broadcast partner, how long will this thing really last?
And will you watch?
Spy
Astute as always, and one of the more underplayed conversations on the much-ballyhooed LIV Tour.
Sure I will watch, but I really do not know which channel it will be one. Which also begs the questions of which PGA Tour broadcast partners would run the risk of angering Monarch Monahan and show the LIV action.
Heck, here's wondering if The Golf Channel will even show highlights next weekend of the LIV event.
Then there's also this: Wouldn't big money on the guys calling the action be every bit as well spent as money spent on the players in the field?
Think of it this way, if the Telegraph reports from earlier this week are true, and the Saudis offered Dustin Johnson $150 million to commit to the LIV, what was Mickelson's offer going to be.
And considering Mickelson's popularity before February's quotes, you would have to think he was going to be mic'ed up and be an on-course commentator right?
To that end, would paying DJ $150 million get more attention and viewers than paying Chuck Barkley $50 million to be the lead analyst for the LIV? And scary or not, it's not like money is any type of hurdle for the Saudis.
Truthfully, I'd be more inclined to watch Barkley broadcast golf than DJ play golf, in that makes sense.
From Mark W
Jay,
You mentioned that Steph Curry is one of the most likable players to play in the NBA today and it is hard to root against him. I think that Draymond Green is one of the most unlikable players to play the game today and it is hard to root for him. What do you think plays more to the casual fans intrigue in watching a game, liking a player or hating a player?
Also, my basketball game was pretty similar to Draymond's on a much less competitive level, which makes the dynamic of why I hate his game all the more interesting. Funny how competitive nature looks internally when you are competing.
Thanks Jay.
Mark - Great question.
And the yin and the yang for casual sports fans is an interesting topic, and you are correct: The Warriors have two of the top two or three NBA players on the lovable and hatable lists.
When sports superstars have an equal measure of both - Tiger at his apex, LeBron too - that's when they cross over into global stars. In team sports, though, has there been a lovable-hatable duo like this since Rodman joined MJ and the Bulls for that second three-peat?
I think the connected fan is more drawn to likability but the casual fan as your referenced will be connected to hatable.
It's kind of crazy the way we have heroized our villains in TV and movies these days too. Heck, we were all cheering for Hannibal Lector by the end of "Silence of the Lambs." Tony Soprano too. Walter White. Saul Goodman.
Personally, I really enjoy a great deal about Draymond's game. He's a smart player. He delivers a ton of return and production for his athleticism and skill set. He's the perfect dude on a team who's best player is still a defensive liability.
But his consistent jabbering with the officials makes him really hard to like, and when it gets the best of him, it really can cost his team.
And to make his enigma even more layered, Draymond will be the hottest commodity for NBA broadcast partners when he hangs up his sneakers. And he likely will crush it as a commentator, too.
I also am intrigued by the feud/squabble between Draymond and Kevin Durant. One of them is a lunch pail guy that you have to believe is beloved by teammates. The other is a basketball poet, a 7-footer with as smooth a stroke as anyone not named Curry or Ray Allen but seems like a rotten teammate.
Who would you rather have on your favorite team? Draymond or KD? Discuss.
From JTC
Mailbag: Will Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies be long-term Braves? Their current contracts are VERY team friendly. They both have rough spots but a lot of gems will be exposed from all the hard work. I'd love to see them get that next BIG contract. I'm also very much on team Anthopoulos and understand that baseball is a business.
JTC
Excellent question and one that is more pertinent considering what at least appears to be from the outside looking in as some less-than-harmonic conditions in the clubhouse, especially in terms of Acuña of late.
That said, AA is brilliant and deserves every benefit of every doubt until he proves otherwise.
And one of the things that makes those team-friendly contracts he inked with RA and Ozzie even more attractive is the timing. They both will still be in their 20s when it comes time for their next deals.That said, while the Braves are crushing their current financial setting with one of the best stadium set-ups in all of team sports, their TV deal is mediocre at best. And if that does not improve, will they be able to pony up Dodgers or Yankees coin to keep both.
I think Ozzie is here forever. If forced to bet, I would have to push my chips on Acuña hitting the open market and getting half-a-billion from someone. And that someone will not be the folks writing the checks for the Braves.
From Chas
You don't like Kerr's "less-popular talking points like China and other topics." I assume his take on guns is one you don't care for. But he laid some good issues on the table for discussion. Please give your take in the bag tomorrow.
Looks like it'll be eight SEC games, not nine. That's how I like it. For the bag, what's the Greeson take? The Longhorns HAVE TO PLAY Oklahoma and A&M. It'd be cool for the two orange and white UT's to meet, too.
Chas
Kind of let the cat out of the bag about my guns views - both on A2 and in Thursday's 5-at-10 comments.
But to recap, I believe everything in that discussion must be examined. Not that anyone wants to revoke the Second Amendment - well, not anyone who is rational about it - but change is needed.
Again, bringing everyday street violence into this conversation is a disservice and worse, a rallying point for the 'Second Amendment is absolute' crowd.
The Second Amendment is not absolute, and there have already been a slew of changes and alterations through the years. Finding ways to keep easily converted to automatic weapons out of the hands of mentally ill folks or violent criminals should be a starting point.
As for the SEC, Paschall has converted me to the nine-game approach, and like Vader I am for the Pod system. And a pod format could eventually be converted into conference semifinals, which would be another attractive piece in the next round of broadcast and TV deals.
Personally, I'm getting less and less connected to the 'traditional' crossover games. It's hard to say you value tradition when the SEC is about to add Oklahoma and Texas. Unless of course that tradition you value is the old Southwest Conference.
Have a great weekend friends.