Divorcing “The Marriage Ref”

You know, when they first announced this a year ago, I said “that sounds to me like the dumbest idea for a TV show ever.” The commercials didn’t make it look any better. But the premiere of “The Marriage Ref” tonight was even worse than I could’ve possibly imagined.
I don’t know what the worst part- the ridiculously loud laugh track, which had uproarious laughter following lame jokes? People like Alec “Bitter Divorce” Baldwin and Marv “Creepy Sex Scandal” Albert doling out marriage advice? Smarmy host Tom Papa? The sad realization that Seinfeld, if he put his mind to it, could probably create another great TV series?
This show made me long for the wit and sophistication of “The Jay Leno Show.” And to think, Jerry was getting back into our good graces, with the Curb/Seinfeld reunion and all…

What a Weekend

The latest from Noah- including video!- is here.

Missing Mickey

Ken Levine posted this video– with Mickey Mouse visiting “Cheers”- and I totally remember that special! It was Mickey’s 60th birthday, and the conceit was that Mickey was missing:

In the clip John Ritter played the newscaster reporting on the Missing Mouse, and it was a running joke that he would not shower until Mickey was found. Apparently he had gone home with Kirstie Alley.

On the Eve of the Gold Medal Game…

A four-year-old delivers the Herb Brooks speech from “Miracle”:

New From the Blogging Baby

Noah’s got another blog post- now live from the crib.

Quote of the Day

Jonathan Chait, on the health care summit:

President Obama is so much smarter and a better communicator than members of Congress in either party. The contrast, side by side, is almost ridiculous… But most the time, this is like watching Lebron James play basketball with a bunch of kids who got cut from the 7th grade basketball team. He’s treating them really nice, letting his teammates take shots and allowing the other team to try to score. Nice try on that layup, Timmy, you almost got it on. But after a couple minutes I want him to just grab the ball and dunk on these clowns already.

How many times does Obama have to wipe the floor with Republicans in a debate setting before they stop the silly teleprompter jokes?

Stephen A., Sports Radio Caller

Yes, Stephen A. Smith plays the “Eagles are cheap” game, also implying that the Eagles were wrong to cut all of the over-the-hill veterans over the years who, it turned out, they were right to cut.
Smith’s now about 0-for-7 on columns since his return. He’s such a self-parody at this point that when he came on WIP the other day, it took about ten minutes before I could tell whether it was really him, or Joe Conklin doing an impression.

Great Ballparks Throughout History

I really can’t get enough of charts like this one, featuring the names of stadiums teams have played in throughout baseball history. My favorite is the Marlins, whose stadium name changes roughly ever six months.

Life Imitates “Quiz Show”

News Item: FCC investigates possible fix on “Our Little Genius” game show
At first I thought it was hilarious, because Kevin Pollak is the host of the show, and he was in “Quiz Show.” But then I remembered it was David Paymer, not Pollak.

Sports Radio Moment of the Day

Howard Eskin today was screaming about the awful, inappropriate statement made by Donovan McNabb on the occasion of Brian Westbrook’s release. Here’s what McNabb said:

“A great player, a great leader and a hard worker,” McNabb said. “[I hope] for nothing but good things for him for the rest of his life. I�ve talked to him on many occasions and he can continue to play this game and play it at a high level, so good luck to Brian. I know this is a down day for all of us because he is a great friend of mine, but I know things will work out for him.”

What am I missing? Is there something horribly awry about that statement? I can’t seem to find anything anyone would object to other than “McNabb said it.”