Mego's blog

Craig Robinson and Nick Offerman usher in New Era rivalry #openingday

Baseball season starts this week, and with that, team rivalry. New Era has run commercials depicting the New York/Boston rivalry between Alec Baldwin and John Krasinski, and now two more actors from the NBC Thursday night lineup are in the mix: Craig Robinson (Darryl from "The Office") and Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson from "Parks and Recreation"). 

Chicago vs. Chicago: Round 1 from Nick Offerman  

For some reason, I find this rivalry even more hilarious than the last one. Craig and Nick couldn't be two more different actors, whereas Alec and John appeared in It's Complicated together. Plus, it's Chicago versus Chicago---there's got to be some sort of Freudian complex at play here. 

Final word on MIA's half-peace sign: pregnant celebrities do it every day #worldpeace

By now, the dust has settled from Sunday's big game. That's right---everyone CLEARLY knows that Baskin should have won the Puppy Bowl (if only Aberdeen would have caught those passes!).

Other than that big debate, this has been a week filled with arguments about MIA flipping the bird during Madonna's halftime show, and here is why it shouldn't be a big deal: There are thousands of photos of celebrities flipping the bird ALL of the time. Worse---PREGNANT celebrities. In the minds of the censors and the FCC, this has to be a million times worse. And *gasp*---some of these celebrities are unwed mothers! Ahhh!

Here's one of a very precious Natalie Portman in early 2011 (a very pregnant mom-to-be, at that):

Here's one of again of a very pregnant Jessica Alba in 2008.

Here's newly pregnant Kristin Cavallari!

So see---these human vessels contributing to procreation do it all the time! Relax! It's just celebrities' way of saying hello.

NHL's Carolina Hurricanes team has a "Simpsons" lineup. For real!

If you've ever watched a Carolina Hurricanes home game, you know that the RBC Center frequently plays a "Simpsons" clip to announce star Jeff Skinner.

 

Yep, that's Superintendent Chalmers' voice yelling at Principal Skinner.

But what you might not know is that that's not where "The Simpsons" references end in that lineup. While watching the Hurricanes play the Penguins the other night, I realized that the 'Canes also have Jamie "McBain" in the lineup, as in Rainier Wolfcastle's alter ego on TV's longest running show.

 

Upon further investigation of the Hurricanes' roster, there's also an Anthony Stewart, who could be known as "Disco Stu."

 

All right. I'm grasping at this last one. But it's still pretty sweet to see "Skinner" playing on a line with "McBain." Now if only we could get John Carlson from the Washington Capitals (aka Carl Carlson) and Ben Lovejoy from the Pittsburgh Penguins (Reverend Lovejoy) to all play together. The melding of my two favorite things: The Simpsons and NHL hockey. I'd be in heaven. 

'Goon' movie: the next 'Slap Shot' or 'Happy Gilmore'? #goon

For those who always wondered what Happy Gilmore would have been like without the golf, you may have your answer with the film Goon, the story of a guy (Seann William Scott) handpicked to play for a semi-pro hockey team based on his ability to beat the crap out of people (the preview doesn't mention whether he's ever tried to take off his skate and stab somebody).

 

Based on the book Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey Into Minor League Hockey by Doug Smith and Adam Frattasio, the film has been adapted for the big screen by Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg (Baruchel fans will note that he also stars in the film, along with his real-life love Alison Pill). 

This film is coming out at the perfect time during the winter movie lull. It has the potential to pique the interest of hockey-lovers as well as those looking for something to watch other than the latest Katherine Heigl movie. 

Winter Classic Flyers/Rangers showdown on a Monday? Sorry folks---football comes first #winterclassic2012

Traditionally, for the past four years, NHL's Winter Classic matchup has been held on New Year's Day, as something to look forward to following the inevitable New Year's Day letdown.

But this year, because the NFL pretty much owns Sunday from August to January (sorry, Jesus), NBC can't broadcast dueling high-profile events on the same day because of its contract with the NFL. 

This is a "Yay" and "Nay" situation. Yay: the Flyers/Rangers showdown doesn't have to compete with football. Nay: the game's on [what's for many] the first day back from holiday vacation!

 

While fans may have to hoof it home from work to catch the second or third period, either way, it's sure going to be an epic matchup, with both teams head to head at the top of the Eastern Conference. Even though the Rangers beat the Flyers in their last go-around, I'm predicting an upset from the "City of Brotherly Love." They'll have the entire crazed Philly population behind them at Citizens Bank Park (and I say this in the most complimentary way possible!). 

The funniest Twitter exchange you'll see all week

At a record of 4-5, the San Diego Chargers are not having a good season so far. They've lost four games in a row, much to the chagrin of San Diego fans.

Including "Saved by the Bell" alum and "Extra" feeb Mario Lopez, who tweeted yesterday, "Being a Charger fan is tough. It's sad actually. But, I'm loyal to my home town teams. So much for loyalty! All good. . .New day tomorrow :)"

If this tweet doesn't leave you warm and fuzzy inside, you are probably Ali Landry. 

The best part, though, is that the San Diego Chargers responded to Lopez (and also responded in a series of apologies to other Chargers fans):


If you read this without knowing the context, you might think that the Chargers and Mario Lopez shared a relative who passed away. I picture the Chargers collectively patting Lopez on the back, rubbing it consolingly. 

Or maybe the Chargers are still reeling from the death of Artie, AC Slater's pet chameleon. 

 

New Muppets poster: let's hope Disney doesn't pull all the strings

Here's the latest poster for the new Muppets movie due out in late 2011. I love seeing their beautiful, felt-covered faces!

However, two things concern me: one, Jason Segal is penning the film (sure, he can do adult gross-out humor, but really---the Muppets?), and two, it's "Disney's" The Muppets. 

That's the one thing I've always loved about the Muppets: that Disney wasn't involved. But since being bought out by Disney in 2004, the Muppets will now have Disney's name above it. I wish they could have preserved the "Jim Henson's Muppets" trademark. 

There's a difference between Disney and the Muppets. For one thing, Disney tends to ruin things. For example, The Mighty Ducks was a nice little movie. Then, the company decided to capitalize on the popularity by creating an NHL franchise: the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Then, they made two more terrible movies!

I'll admit---I cheered on the Anaheim Mighty Ducks to an almost victory during the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, but I secretly felt bad for Paul Kariya and the team for being a group of menacing adult hockey players with the name, "Ducks." That's got to be a game-changer with the ladies. 

Hot chick at a bar: "What team do you play for?"

Paul Kariya: "The Ducks."

Hot chick grimaces then exits.

I'm not saying that Jason Segal OR Disney will ruin the Muppets. But if there's an NHL franchise next year at this time called, "The Albuquerque Beakers," don't say I didn't warn you.

On second thought, that would be pretty sweet!

Goodbye, Randy "Macho Man" Savage

It's strange how much info your mind can retain.

For example, I haven't watched wrestling in 20 years, but I can tell you that the wrestler Tugboat changed his name to Typhoon before joining teammate Earthquake in the tag team "The Natural Disasters" (a Carrie Bradshaw-worthy pun).

I can also tell you EXACTLY what Miss Elizabeth was wearing when Randy "Macho Man" Savage proposed to her in the ring. It was a black and white horizontal-striped dress, and the material looked like a rubbery plastic used to create stress balls. 

It was sad when Miss Elizabeth died in 2003, and now another tragedy has struck the professional wrestling world with Randy Savage dying in a motorcycle accident at age 58. It seems like Darren Aronofsky wasn't completely off when he took a tragic look at the life of a wrestler in his 2008 film. You rarely hear of professional wrestlers simply dying of old age.

Randy "Macho Man" Savage was my favorite wrestler for a few reasons:

1. He had the coolest outfits. None of those weird shoe strings like the Ultimate Warrior. The Ultimate Warrior's wardrobe had a definite '90s vibe going on, while the Macho Man's look is simply timeless.

2. He did great Slim Jim commercials! He was kind of like the human form of the Kool-Aid man. 

 

3. He had great smack talk, especially when sparring with Ric Flair (probably my second favorite wrestler). He always looked like a lit firecracker.

4. Macho Man was involved in what many believe is one of the greatest wrestling storylines EVER. The Ric Flair/Miss Elizabeth/Macho Man love triangle was soap opera-worthy.

 

I remember flipping through WWF Magazine, trying to figure out how Elizabeth could have betrayed Randy!

And in the ultimate of ironies, in light of Macho Man's death, it's actually Ric Flair who's at Savage's turnbuckle, entreating WWE to induct Randy Savage in to the WWE Hall of Fame. Let's hope they snap to it like a Slim Jim. 

And the next drag superstar is. . .

Last night, I was torn between two men: Mr. Stanley C. Playoff and Mr. Ru P. Charles. 

It's ironic that my Monday night ritual typically involves watching NHL hockey and then watching a group of drag queens out-fierce each other. 

While my hockey team did not win last night, the right drag superstar did get the crown (scroll for spoilers):

RuPaul's Drag Race - RuPaul - Logo: Fierce TV

 

 

Raja! As if there were any other queen who would be crowned. I wondered if Manila might pull it out, but she definitely did not bring her A game to the "Grand Finale" (who cares if you have a boyfriend? Step it up!).

Actually, the one who did step it up was Alexis Mateo. Granted, I still wasn't crazy about her style, but she was probably the most polished for the music video (and I didn't even mind the big hair).

I'd like to propose an all-stars edition of "RuPaul's Drag Race" because I think that if Raja was around last season, she wouldn't clearly be the winner. This year, you could tell the "Drag Race" editors were desperately trying to create drama by making it look like Alexis actually had a chance against Raja. The whole season felt like Raja was from the major leagues and everyone else was practicing tee ball. 

MVP of the night: Ryan Heffington, the choreographer of the video and bitch taskmaster. I loved the way he put all of the girls in their place. Can he please come back next season as a judge? 

'Chuck' wins Hulu title, no additional viewers

It came down to two in one of the biggest showdowns of the year. Who would go home in triumph? A ragtag group able to pull it out despite often being on the brink of elimination, or a circuit darling, consistent in quality and execution. 

No---I'm not talking about the Final Four matchup between Butler and UConn; I'm talking about the 2011 Hulu "Best in Show" contest, where it came down to NBC's "Chuck" and Showtime's "Dexter," pretty much a contest aimed at bragging rights for crazy, light bulb-mailing fans. 

Since the contest is based on the opinions of fanatic, homebound individuals, not surprisingly, "Chuck" took home the honor (honor?). But I'm getting a little tired of this whole "Let's Save Chuck!" thing.

Like hot-button issues like race and the Holocaust, cancelling NBC's "Chuck" has become the unspoken topic for white people. You can't utter a word about it without an outcry on the Internet and in the news.  Never before has there been such a sensitive group of television fans. But unlike other past on-the-line shows (*cough, cough* "Arrested Development"), "Chuck" doesn't have much to show for it. Two Emmys for stunt coordination, but nearly no recognition other than that. No Golden Globe nominations. One People's Choice nomination (for which it lost). 

What makes this show so wonderful that people are committed to keeping it on the air year after year? Is there a mother viewers haven't met yet? Are they on an island of mystery? I'd like to know. 

Once again, this year "Chuck" is on the chopping block when it comes to NBC shows. Will this meaningless Hulu title help save it, or will NBC finally upChuck?