Jack Donaghy VS Ron Swanson: who would you bet on?

My friend Michael from church posted this on his Facebook page, and I couldn't resist reposting:

If you haven't ever watched 30 Rock or Parks and Recreation, then this makes no sense to you.

But if you do watch two of the funniest shows on TV: who would you bet on? 

I'm in the Ron corner. Really hard decision. Jack is a near equal character in authoritative awesomeness. But Ron just has an intensity that would intimidate Jack to tears. 

Ron isn't interested in fun.

Ron would never own a cookie jar collection. 

Ron hates government. 

Ron files his toes nails, because clippers can't handle it.

Ron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ron for president!!!

Week in review #13

Lucky number 13. Here is:

Heidi Montag & Spencer Pratt's search for the myth

Last week, there was a headline on the Huffington Post Entertainment page that I couldn't resist clicking: "How Heidi and Spencer Squandered All Their Money"

If you've stood in line at a grocery store at any time over past this year, you've probably at least once seen their names on a magazine cover. A headline about her numerous plastic surgeries. One about their supposed divorce.

Here is the summary, with the main points: How Heidi and Spencer Squandered All Their Money. Here is the full article: When Reality-TV Fame Runs Dry 

My opinion: EVERYONE should read this article and really think it through.  Why?

Critiquing Criticism: a lesson from The Smurfs movie

Transformers. G.I Joe. He-Man. Mask (come on - who remembers Mask? It was a-maze-a-zing!). Thundercats. Voltron. These were my favorite cartoons while growing up. But I must be honest, I must confess: I also watched the Smurfs. Yes, yes I did. Papa Smurf, Jokey Smurf, & Hefty Smurf were my favorites. Smurfette was dumb and annoying (young guy's perspective). Yes...I am a closet Smurf fan.

The idea then of a live Smurf movie was a mixed bag for me. It could be cool or it could be horrible, there didn't seem to be a lot of room in-between. But, having a 4yr-old and a 2yr-old that can be taken advantage of to see kid's movies without losing my mancard, I was willing to give it a chance.

And then the early reviews came out.

Week in Review #5

"Live from New York...it's my blog entry!!!" Sorry, that is incredibly cheesy, but I couldn't resist. This week's stuff:

"Daddy, can I listen to Justin Bieber?"

We're driving around last night and from the back seat Baylee begins the conversation:

Baylee - "Daddy, when I'm five can I listen to Justin Bieber?"

Me - "No Baylee, not till you're 13.  And then it will be a maybe."

Baylee - "Whhoooaaa!"

Yes, I am a cruel father.

During youth group days I was asked numerous times by people if I thought their kid was old enough for Harry Potter.  The parents hadn't read them yet, knew I had, so they wanted some insight. I'm still asked that question from time to time, but also now is added to it inquirires on Hannah Montana, Justin Bieber, & the like.

First off, let the following be established and understood: I have read the Harry Potter books.  I have NEVER watched an episode of Hannah Montana.  I am INCAPABLE of identifying a Justin Bieber song. Just want to clarify all that so I don't lose any street cred.

Moving on...

Charlie Sheen: The Crack Pot

Charlie Sheen...what in the world happened?

Whatever it is, apparently tons of people are interested.  Last week, YouTube's blog offered the following bit of info on Mr Sheen: 

Actor Charlie Sheen has dominated celebrity headlines of late, culminating with producers' decision to halt production on CBS' "Two and a Half Men" and series of rants/interviews drawing public attention. The first part of Sheen's interview with Alex Jones of InfoWars has been viewed over 200,000 times since it was posted on Friday. Today, Sheen's interview on "Good Morning America" is now also drawing attention. A search for "Charlie Sheen" videos on YouTube will deliver over 1,400 results from just the past week.

OK, the masses aren't necessarily interested in what happened, they just want to see the consequential train wreck.  Entertainment on and off the screen is hard to pass up. 

Death TV

Last week Billy Corgan posted a tweet that's remained stuck in my head:

Billy ▶ Has anyone else noticed this year has given rise to a new form of entertainment; death TV. All death, all the time.

I'm not sure what his specific intent was in writing that, but if you scan the news, be it on TV or online, it's not just that there's been a lot of famous people passing away; death seems to be one of the predominant thing being covered. Some people are sick of hearing about Michael's death, but apparently a lot of others keep coming back to CNN.com to read about it - he's still one of the top headlines. And if it's not gossip about the King of Pop being wondered about, then it's some other star-studded corpse. I think that Corgan has something there when he says, "a new form of entertainment."

Why do you think we're so into reading about other's passing?

John & Kate Plus 8

Great weekend that I plan on blogging some thoughts about, hopefully tomorrow. Until then, a friend of mine made some good comments about John & Kate Plus 8 that I thought were worth passing along. To be honest, I've never watched the show - but this a good word:

John & Kate Plus 8 - by Chris Carr
Last night I happened to catch the end of a rerun of the season premier of the show "John & Kate Plus 8." If you are unfamiliar with the show it is a reality (or unreality) show featuring a married couple (John & Kate Gosselin) with eight children -- 7 year-old twins and 5 year-old sextuplets (that's six!).

The premier drew a cable record 9.8 million viewers, mostly due to the fact that the Gosselin's are rumored to be heading towards a divorce. While there is a lot that could (and perhaps needs to be) addressed here, it's obvious that the Gosselin's and many in our culture just don't get what marriage is about.

The last 7-8 minutes of the premier focused upon John & Kate and their collective and individual responses to where their marriage was headed. They both essentially shared that whatever happens, they are going to make sure that they will do what is best for their children.

What they don't get is that (1) it isn't about the kids and (2) the best thing for the kids is for it not to be about them.

Why? Because marriage at it's foundation is about the vows -- the covenantal life-time commitment that husband and wife make to one another. When those vows aren't honored, everything else in a family falls apart. What the Gosselin kids need the most is John & Kate to reconcile and faithfully carry out their God-ordained and sanctioned roles as spouses and parents.

I have no idea if the Gosselin's are believers or not, but that is besides the point. If they really want the best for their kids, they will work this out and remain faithful to the commitment they made to one another and to God. Only then can they work towards what is best for their children.
______________________________

Interestingly enough, another friend also wrote about the show. Darren's entry is longer, an actual open letter to John & Kate, and is on his blog: Christos Kurios