TV

3 Comments Posted on by Steve Murray Columns, Sports

Despite TV Ratings, IndyCar Is On The Right Track

Normally, I wouldn’t respond to posts on another blog but I couldn’t help but note an oversight of facts in an Awful Announcing post about IndyCar’s ratings on the NBC Sports Network. While noting that IndyCar’s ratings are down by 27% on NBCSN and 17% on ABC compared to the 2011 season, author Joe Lucia suggests IndyCar’s management needs to consider big changes heading into the 2013 season to right the course.

There’s one big problem with that suggestion: IndyCar’s brass has already made it the best North American racing series on-track. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: Check Your Facts

It’s the middle of the week which means it’s time to catch up on some of the more interesting headlines and news from the week so far. For the second week running, let’s kick off with Canadian actress Nina Dobrev. See, I checked that fact before writing.

It turns out that the Bush White House had plenty of lead time with warnings about a potential terrorist attack ahead of 9/11. For some reason, these warnings from CIA were ignored. (New York Times)

Mitt Romney is starting to change tactics when it comes to his campaign. Now, he’s taking baseless personal shots at Obama over religion. (Talking Points Memo)

The Romney/Ryan campaign wants to cut spending overall but increase defence spending. So isn’t it funny that Congressman Ryan voted for $1 trillion of defence cuts in 2011? (Think Progress)

After the jump, more political lies, the return of Iron Chef and the origin of internet memes. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: A Call To Action

It’s the end of the week. It’s go time for links. Conveniently enough, it’s also go time for the Italian Grand Prix so you’re probably not reading this immediately upon posting. Anyway, since we’re supporters of increasing the popularity of Canadians on the internet, here’s Rachelle Goulding.

I like to think that what we link on these linkdump posts are fact-checking links. However, it’s close so here’s a very detailed look at why Romney and Ryan must be defeated this November. (Kurt Eichenwald)

Documentary film maker Michael Moore has also weighed in with a call to action for people to do what they can to prevent a Romney presidency. (MichaelMoore.com)

The Republicans jumped on President Obama after the recent underwhelming job report. They didn’t mention that their obstructionist politics prevented a further job creation promotion plan from being passed. They’re too busy playing politics to actually try to help America. (Think Progress)

After the jump, an in-depth examination of Bill Clinton’s convention speech, a proper examination of why gay marriage isn’t evil and the Parks & Rec gag reel. Continue reading →

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Entertainment Link-Off: Out of Words

Howdy Lowdown Blogettes! Can I call our readers “blogettes?” Well, we’ll work on it. Anyway, you’ve probably figured out that I’ve drawn in for Jackie who down with a sickness. Not “the sickness.” He’s actually not feeling well so I’m covering for him. Anyway, there are a couple of big releases this weekend including The Words and Bachelorette starring Kirsten Dunst.

After the jump, the end of G4 TV, news on some future movie releases, TV casting updates and more. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: Grab A Chair

Between Romney and Ryan’s lies and Clint Eastwood’s invisible President on a chair, it’s been an interesting week in politics. With the Democratic National Convention this week, it’s not going to be any less dull. Anyway, let’s start this post off with Canadian model Nicole Williams.

What if the critics are wrong and Mitt Romney isn’t actually a flip-flopper but an opportunist who uses that appearance to mask his true intentions? (Rolling Stone)

Paul Ryan’s acceptance speech for the Republican VP nomination was so full of lies that even Fox News called him out on his bullshit. (Fox News)

Last Wednesday, I linked to an article asking if Reagan was too moderate for today’s Republican Party. It turns out that suggestion is gaining some traction. (New York Times)

After the jump, more GOP fact-checking, some fun with politics and all shouting on The Newsroom. Continue reading →

4 Comments Posted on by Steve Murray Columns, Entertainment

The Newsroom: Sorkin’s Modern After School Special

Whenever I see a blogger or TV critic wax poetic about an older network comedy, they often bring up episodes that touched on more serious topics. These episodes that touched on controversial or social issues were called “After School Specials” after the ABC TV movie series of the same name.

After school specials (or “very special episodes” as they were occasionally called in network TV) have essentially disappeared from the network TV landscape. Sure, kids shows will touch on an important topic every now and then but when was the last time you saw something you would call an After School Special. One of the few shows on TV that does touch on important social issues is The Newsroom. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: Millions of Dollars

It’s the end of the week which means it’s time for an end of the week set of links. We’ve got the return of a couple of regular features this week on the blog this week which will be fun as always. Anyway, let’s hit the road starting with Canadian model Kim Cloutier.

Mitt Romney keeps claiming that he’s going to save Medicare by killing Obamacare. The problem is that his plan will bankrupt the Medicare trust before the end of his first term in office. (Talking Points Memo)

By the way, this election is about the economy. However, even Mitt Romney says that big businesses are doing fine. That doesn’t mean he’ll back off on the corporate tax cuts. (Think Progress)

Who is going to pay for continuing corporate tax cuts? It’ll be the middle class to the tune of about $2,000 per year. (Center for American Progress Action Fund)

After the jump, Mitt’s secret Cayman finances have been leaked, is the Joe Paterno biography a fair representation of the man or a defence and Toronto Batman makes his return. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: Too Legit To Quit

I have to give Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin credit for inspiring the post’s title. However, he’s not too legit to quit. He’s just too oblivious to quit. Anyway, let’s change pace for a moment and start with Irina Shayk.

Mitt Romney thinks the Democrats are making a mountain over a molehill when it comes to his income taxes. However, he has a history of lying to the public about his taxes. (The Raw Story)

The Romney/Ryan campaign is taking Obama to task for shifting money from Medicare to Obamacare cutting Medicare. However, their plan for “saving Medicare” won’t do seniors any good as they plan on raising the eligibility age. (Think Progress)

Let’s break up the action with a Chinese political scandal. What goes for a Chinese political scandal, you ask? Photos leaked of high-ranking Communist Party officials having an orgy. (Gawker)

After the jump, Todd Akin isn’t alone in his backwards beliefs, NBC goes big (presumably before the network goes home for good) and Bill Ghostbustin-Ass Murray. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: Fact Check

I tried something new with the last linkdump and am doing this same this time out. It’s just a subtle reordering of links. The same sort of content there but now news comes ahead of sports. Anyway, let’s kick off with Canadian model Andi Muise. See, somethings don’t change.

Mitt Romney says he’s going to turn America around and save the middle class. But how the hell is he going to do that if he slashes Amtrak funding and won’t give the middle class a tax cut? (Huffington Post)

The Romney/Ryan campaign are also claiming that Obama is destroying Medicare while they’ll save it. ABC has done some fact checking and, wouldn’t you know it, they’re stretching the truth and talking out of their asses. (ABC News)

The NHLPA made their first CBA proposal last week. What does it actually say and what does it mean for ongoing negotiations? (Sportsnet)

After the jump, more on Romney/Ryan, two TV pilots have started bidding wars and NASA is a pretty cool bunch. Continue reading →

1 Comment Posted on by Steve Murray Entertainment, Link-Off

Entertainment Link-Off: The Legacy Continues

Bad news folks. I’ve drawn in for Jackie to cover the entertainment and pop culture beat this week. He couldn’t have picked a better week to be off. The new Farrell vs. Galifianakis election spoof The Campaign opens this weekend. Tommy Lee Jones, Meryl Streep and Steve Carrell star in Hope Springs which looks like this weekend’s date movie for couples who have fallen into a rut. The big move of the weekend is The Bourne Legacy. Presumably the legacy is carrying on a movie franchise after everyone thought it was done and the lead moved on leaving Hawkeye playing the lead in Matt Damon’s place. On the plus side, The Bourne Legacy does also star Rachel Weisz.

Hit the jump for a review of The Bourne Legacy, other summer blockbuster news, the latest hilarious celebrity gossip (though isn’t all celebrity gossip kinda funny) and Fallon as Morrison does Reading Rainbow. Continue reading →