Black Donnelly's

Like Goodfellas with a twist. This time the pale, freckled redheads run the neighborhood. The first episode was hooking with non-stop action, character development, and no commercials for the first half-hour. I'm sure the last part will change as popularity gains, but supposedly the rest only gets faster and racier. The best part? Alex, the hot lesbian from the OC, is the leading lady.

Check it out on NBC Monday at 10PM EST. Here's the first episode.

Bringing Britney Back

Mark my words, 2008 is the Year of Britney. After a Vegas marriage, full flashing, Federline fiasco, two kids, fifty pounds, head shaving, multiple tattoos, and rehab, there is only one way to go...platinum. Clear your schedule Madison Square Garden.

Toxilicious

Scalp 'Em

Why do concert tickets go on sale four months before the event? Why is an entire season of sport tickets sold on one day before the season? I hope someone's career was spent answering this question, and they know something I don't. However, my current opinion is this creates a very profitable secondary market, which strips the artist or team from big bucks.

I spoke with a friend about this, and he believed the artist had no say as it was dictated by the venue. Probably correct. The venue probably sees guaranteed sell-outs today as more practical than waiting until the weeks before the show. Also, the team sales could be dictated by the league. Still, I see a fundamental flaw if people are able to purchase these tickets, hold them for three months, and sell them one month before the event for triple because buyers now know their schedules. Artist, team, or venue, someone is handing money over to scalpers.

While on the event subject, I went to the Toby Keith concert a while back, and let me tell you, Flip Flop Tickets is definitely possible. It would be organized by a company that would buy 50 front row tickets and 50 nose bleed tickets. They would take you into the designated seats, and then facilitate the seat flop after the opening act. Regardless, it occurred to me that if you want to see the opening act up close, just go to a more intimate show. They probably all play smaller venues when not opening.

All Hail the Chief

Chief Illiniwek danced his last dance, as they say, on Wednesday night in Assembly Hall. Why people are offended by an honorable mascot that represents an actual tribe from the actual state, I don't know. Are we aware there is still an NFL team named the Redskins with a very red-faced Indian as their mascot? Just go to www.redskins.com, it's an official NFL site. I would find that much more offensive than a team named the Indians, let alone a mascot with the ACTUAL name of my tribe. The Chief was not a mockery, he was a sign of respect. According to wikipedia, the name Illiniwek means "the complete human being - the strong, agile human body, and the indomitable human spirit." Some day, I hope to be 100th of that meaning.

If you're not willing to negotiate how we can make this "respectful," please let it stop with the dance, and don't take away the mascot, logo, team name, school name, river name, or state name. Or, at least call the Redskins first.

Draw Back Your Bow

Happy Valentine's Day to all! Love this article. I think it was written to make single people feel better about themselves, but really just says "you're a loser, but here's how you can find a mate." Good work Yahoo! Personals.

Echo, this is Charlie

Couldn’t stop smiling while reading this article. We are using dolphins and sea lions to patrol America’s coasts. I actually think it’s brilliant, but the article is priceless. My favorite sentence: “Sea lions can carry in their mouths special cuffs attached to long ropes. If the animal finds a rogue swimmer, it can clamp the cuff around the person's leg. The individual can then be reeled in for questioning.”

One Alternative

If fanpop goes away, as my friend so confidently ensured with his comment on the post, try this site. It has countless full-length movies in addition to every TV show. My tested recommendation is Talladega Nights. As my brother said, the Internet has gotten so out of control there is nothing the government can do to stop it. I agree it's out of control, but think the solution is to make a very public example of several people who post these things. Hopefully the authorities don't believe it's that easy though, and just continue to allow free distribution of all works.

Fanpop

Fanpop could be the greatest website since YouTube. This site has every episode of every show. Here's a page I watched for a good three hours last week.

Bears