Lowdown Radio Classic – November 25, 2008

The other day, I mentioned the Elbow song Grounds for Divorce on my Twitter. That inspired me to post this classic episode of The Lowdown radio show. This episode uses that song as a sort of theme song for our in-depth test of three energy drinks to help you study. This episode also happens to be one of my favourites and is on my Top 5 list of all-time great episodes of The Lowdown.

On this episode, I examine the UWO sales pitch at Fall Preview Day. We try to fix Queen’s Homecoming. Then I commandeer Jackie’s attempt to give real exam tips by trying to figure out which energy drink is best for pulling all-nighters. When Jackie regains control, he drags me along to find good study spots on campus. It’s a classic half-hour of fun and insanity that only The Lowdown can bring you.

Click here to download the 10 MB podcast version.
Click here to download the 26 MB high-quality version.

Video Game Review: NCAA Football 10

ncaa-football-10-ps3-coverNCAA Football 10 is the 13th iteration of the critically acclaimed college football video game. This year’s edition is the third on the PS3 which I’m reviewing it on. The challenge with sports games like this is that, since it comes out every year, a lot of work has to go into it to keep it fresh. It’s easy to just sit back and only update the rosters and playbooks every season. Instead, EA Sports has gone big with this edition with two big new features and a major overhaul of another game mode. So do the changes make NCAA 10 the first must play college football game on PS3 or is it just another step in the right direction? Find out after the jump. Continue reading

Wednesday Link-Off: Feeling Lucky

jennifer-aniston-elle-sept09-1It’s pictures like this that make me ask what Brad Pitt was thinking when he dumped Jennifer Aniston.

If Top Gear host Richard Hammond didn’t have bad luck, he would have no luck at all. Last weekend, he was involved in a minor collision at a roundabout that probably improved the look of his Morgan AeroMax. (Daily Mail)

Then again, it could have been someone from the supermarket he endorses trying to finish him off. They weren’t fond of him saying that he wasn’t interested in food on a recent episode of Top Gear. (Daily Telegraph)

The Lingerie Football League doesn’t have an All-Star team. Instead, they have an All-Fantasy team… without pictures included, sadly. (LFL)

After the jump, more Top Gear crashes, marketing failures, and the motorhome racing championship. Continue reading

Formula 1: Schumacher Ends Comeback Bid

After a two week long build up to the Formula One comeback of all time, the fans are left disappointed. Michael Schumacher announced that the pain in his neck stemming from a motorcycle accident earlier this year would allow him to race at the European Grand Prix at Valencia. He re-aggravated his injury while testing a privately-owned Ferrari F2007. Continue reading

Not News of the Week

As we always say: If it’s not worth talking about, then it’s definitely not news. If you’re looking for a theme for today’s Not News, I really couldn’t give you one. Maybe I’ll go with Crime & Punishment.

A survey of over 3,000 Chinese have found that prostitutes are the third most trusted people by profession in China. This puts them behind farmers and religious workers but ahead of soldiers, teachers, scientists and politicians. In one Chinese daily English-language newspaper, a columnist wrote that “a list like this is at the same time surprising and embarrassing.” I wouldn’t feel too bad if I were him. I trust hookers more than politicians too. Fortunately for politicians, they (miraculously) didn’t fall on to the list of least trusted professions. Scoring the lowest in the survey were real estate developers, secretaries, agents, entertainers, and directors. Continue reading

F1 Summer Break: What F1 Is Doing On Its Summer Vacation

Just because nothing is happening on track during Formula One’s annual summer vacation, doesn’t mean the sport has shut down entirely. The factories may be forced to shut down for two weeks during the four weeks between races but drivers and team principals are in the midst of the annual silly season spin cycle. Rumours are abound of drivers returning, switching teams, and moving up into F1. Not to mention the renewed feud between Ferrari and Williams. Continue reading

Football Night In Canada: Week 6 Wrapup

Each team crossed the one-third mark at the final whistle of their games this week. Some teams (like BC, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Toronto) are trying to turn their season around an either get a divisional or cross-over playoff berth. Meanwhile, the other teams (Montreal, Hamilton, Edmonton, and Saskatchewan) are looking to pull away and cement themselves as Grey Cup contenders. Continue reading

Sunday Link-Off: All About Karma

diora-baird-fhm-spain-4After spending a week with just Jackie, you get me again! No! Don’t run away! Damn…

Anyway, here’s Diora Baird who seems to be well on her way to world domination. Not that I’m complaining at all.

It’s that time of year again. Time to vote for the Deadspin Hall of Fame Class of 2009. I like Barkley, Starbury, and Dong. No, wait. (Deadspin)

What do you do if you aren’t happy with the team that drafted you? You sit out and re-enter the draft. Suddenly, Eric Lindros doesn’t seem so bad (except for holding out on my hometown Soo Greyhounds). (Sports Illustrated)

Division I-AA (or FCS, for the technical types) powerhouse Appalachian State has lost their quarterback for their training camp after he ran over his foot with a lawnmower. As a Michigan fan, I think this is karma. Better late than never. (AppFan)

After the jump, lots of sports news, failed VW ad attempts, and… CIS news? It really was a slow week. Continue reading

The Lowdown Extra – Complete Rich Christensen Interview

Tonight on Speed Channel, Pinks All Out will air its event taped at the zMax Dragway in Charlotte, North Carolina at 8:00 PM. This is a big episode of All Out because it will feature the first televised four-wide drag race. If you recall, I interviewed Pinks All Out host Rich Christensen just a week-and-a-half before he went to Charlotte for the All Out show at zMax. We talked about the prospect of four-wide racing, changes made for this season of Pinks All Out, his Arm Drop Live drag race weekends, working for Speed Channel, and much more.

This Lowdown Extra special contains web exclusive content that you won’t hear on the radio. Click one of the download links below to listen to the whole story as told by Rich Christensen.

Click here for the 8 MB version.
Click here for the 31 MB high-quality version.

August 4th Episode of The Lowdown

The Lowdown was on-air tonight with a repeat episode of the show. This episode, billed under the label “Previously Enjoyed”, originally aired on February 3, 2009. That was our special Valentine’s Day edition of the show. On tonight’s episode, Steve and Jackie try out pickup lines in a bar, then they come up with a list of love songs that aren’t really love songs but kind of are, they talk about celebrity crushes, Steve goes to the Winter Homecoming hockey game, and Jackie ends the night by trying to teach folks how to cook only to be sabotaged by Steve.

Click here to download the 10 MB podcast version.
Click here to download the 26 MB high-quality version.