Author Archives: admin
Jack Goes Confidential: ‘WARRIOR’ Wallops Punch-To-Gut During September Drought
For movie critics like me who deal primarily in so-called commercial releases (as opposed to art and speciality
films), September is usually not something I look forward to.
It never fails!
From about the last week of August through the later part of September, the studios seem to dust off their shelves and pretty well throw their leftovers into the marketplace.
You can’t really blame Hollywood.
The public’s attention span during early fall turns to back-to-school, sports and the new TV season – and not to movies.
That all changes though on or around late September and October when the Oscar hopefuls and more serious films begin to invade local cineplexes. Until then the old, saying seems to come into play: ‘If they don’t want to see it—there’s no stopping them!’
But hold it right there!
Car: Butt Kicking Alert; ‘Fiat Sells More 500s Than the Mini Cooper’
I ask you, would I make this shit up?
The above headline is from respected auto scribe, autospies.com. I realize this is going to be a little difficult for some to swallow, but let’s proceed.
"In a piece of copy published by that infamous New York paper, the story reads that the new 500 ‘essentially matched the sales of its chief competition, the Mini Cooper.’ " autospies says. "The 500 actually sold MORE than the Cooper if you discount the 600 or so Countryman pseudo sport-utility vehicles."
The numbers do not lie.
Glazer: Eric Hosmer Could be the Answer & the Royals Could Contend Next Season
Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer got tons of ink nationally when he joined the team this season…
I heard several reports about how he was the next ‘it’ player in the league. A couple weeks later his name almost went away – nationally. Not because he wasn’t playing well, it;s just that the Royals weren’t playing in games that meant anything.
Always in last or next to last place. So little national attention, right?
Wrong. This guy’s the real thing.
Hosmer has helped inspire this ball club to HIT. All of a sudden we are seeing decent power from this former boring group. Five guys are all at or near 20 homers including the rookie Hosmer with 16 and climbing. Remember Eric has only been up just over a half season. The other hot hitter, Alex Gordon already has his 20 and for the first time is a kind of scary hitter with a .300 batting average.
Today: KU Goes Courting, Fam’s Hatred of MU & Going To Greenwood to Save $7
READING KU’S "BIG 12" TEA LEAVES
Not every communication re the impending death of the Big 12 is meeted out to sports journalists. Take the email KU Alumni Association prez Kevin J. Corbett dispatched re KU’s plans for a Big 12 afterlife.
"Dear Jayhawk," it begins. "Amid the latest round of conference realignment discussions, I want all KU alumni to know that Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little and Dr. Sheahon Zenger, KU athletics director, are aggressively pursuing the best possible outcome for KU."
It doesn’t say much, but the message is clear. KU’s actively pursuing and presumeably considering its options outside the Big 12. And that it won’t be caught with its pants down when and if the nightmare unfolds.
Which is good, but…
It also feeds in to the demise of the Big 12, when pretty much all its teams – with the possible exception of Baylor – are out fishing for new conference affiliations. Can assuring alums that such a process/search is underway help but fuel the fires now consuming the Big 12?
Glazer: Nothing Lasts Forever, Not Even The Big 12
When I was a kid I watched my dad’s team the 1969 Missouri Tigers play Penn State in the Orange Bowl...
Wow, a win could mean the national title. The Tigers had sure pro quarterback Terry McMillan and stand out receiver Mel Gray. It was very close, but the Tigers lost at the end of the game. It was their best football season of all time. They were 9-2 and 6th in the nation.
A couple years ago they were nearly back, ranked number one (for a few days) and headed for a bright finish with Chase Daniels.
By the way McMillen never made it in the pros and the Tigers have never won a national title.
I followed them because my dad and mom went there. I did a year at UMKC but was never a Kangaroo. I mean, really. I always followed MU football and KU basketball. One decent program and one great program. And it didn’t hurt that our Chiefs were the best team in the NFL back then.
Today: Ruining LIVESTRONG, $402 Boz Tix, KU Goes Groupon & Indian Springs Hit Piece
Lots of things to elbow around today, so let’s get started…
ARE CONCERTS AT LIVESTRONG WORTH THE DAMAGE?
Did you see Matt Donnelly‘s sum up about the horrendous field conditions last night at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, home of the soccer team formerly known as The Wizards?
"LIVESTRONG has recently hosted two concerts on its turf, and the wear and tear has turned the once pristine grass into a total nightmare," Donnelly writes. "Throughout the game, players and coaches were seen tamping down large chunks of turf that made the potholes in Lawrence seem small."
Should Sporting Kansas City plan to continue raking in extra dough on concerts, they need to do one of two things or both.
Donnelly: Sporting Ties Best Team in MLS, LA Calls LIVESTRONG Pitch ‘Embarrassing’
The stars shone brightly on Monday night at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park...
Sporting KC and the LA Galaxy scrapped their way to a 2-2 draw, with late drama coming again in the form of a stoppage time penalty kick by Omar Bravo to even the score. LA’s David Beckham showed why he is still among the best passers in the game. And Landon Donovan came on as a substitute in the second half, looking speedy and somewhat agitated as he proceeded to get in the face of several KC players.
But despite another gritty performance by the boys in blue, after the game everyone wanted to talk about a couple of things that ideally should have been non-issues: the refereeing (surprise!) and the condition of the field.
Before we get to that, though, let’s talk about the exciting game played in front of the biggest crowd yet at our new stadium…
Hearne: Love Affair With Star Columnist Mike Hendricks Takes Startling Turn
Give it up for fallen Kansas City Star columnist Mike Hendricks…
But first let’s get real. Odds are Hendricks would like nothing more than to poke one of my eyes. Or, in a kinder, gentler mood, cut out my journalistic tongue. Since leaving the newspaper nearly three years ago I (reluctantly at first) embarked on a course of citiquing it as I do other local media.
And frankly, there was no easier target than Mad Mike.
His columns,] – with some exception – were a paragon of mediocrity. While they shone brightly next to those of also ousted columnist Steve Penn and Mary Sanchez, column writing just wasn’t Hendricks’ thing.
I also remember the lengthy, at times futile search for Star "Metro" columnists long ago that brought Hendricks to power.
And I recall another Mike Hendricks – the other Mike Hendricks…
Caitlin: Celebrate Fashion’s Night Out, Kansas City Style, Thursday Sept. 8th
If you like special discounts, parties, giveaways, or FREE BOOZE—you’re in luck!
This September 8th marks the third annual Fashion’s Night Out (FNO), an event originally launched to stimulate sales and generate buzz about Fall Fashion Week in New York City. And this year, participating shops and boutiques are even more wide-spread. For the first time, many Kansas City retailers are participating in the nation-wide event.
Looks like the hottest spot to be is the Country Club Plaza, which will be host to live DJs and bands throughout the evening. So, here’s my advice…
Glazer: Read My Lips; No New Division Titles. Chiefs Season Over Before It Starts
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I know many of you Chiefs fans are pissed at your humble scribe for being THE ONLY MEDIA GUY IN TOWN, to tell you well before the preseason ended, that not only would they not win a division title, they’d be one of the NF L’s doormats.
Sorry, radio guys, you didn’t say that.
You rode the fence, like the Star‘s Sam Mellinger. I didn’t. I took a ton of crap for being honest. Now you can see that it’s gonna be kinda tough to call Mister Glazer "a man who doesn’t know sports" ever again. This was a big and bold call.
And now it’s over…
Glazer: The Rise & Fall of Former Chiefs Star Marcus Allen
What ever happened to Baby Jane?
Marcus Allen was maybe the most overall popular pro athlete in recent Kansas City history. Sure there’s George Brett, Len Dawson, Joe Montana and Tony G, but none had that sexy presence like Marcus. Everyone in KC wanted to meet him, see him and speak to the handsome football star who helped turn the Kansas City Chiefs into one of the most popular football teams in America.
That was nearly two decades ago – wow time flies, huh?
Oh sure, Joe Montana was our BEATLES. More than a legend. Marcus was more a Mick Jagger – too sexy for his shirt and pants. But man, could he play ball.
Allen had just been kicked out of LA, for many reasons…
New Jack City: ‘GREASERAMA’ Rocks Boulevard Drive-In Tonight & Sunday
Looking for a last minute blast from the past this weekend?
Then check out this Labor Day Weekend’s annual ‘GREASERAMA‘ going down today and Sunday from 12 noon ‘to Midnight at–where else—the BOULEVARD DRIVE-IN THEATRE on Merriam Drive in KCK.
What is it?
It’s nostolgic pre ’65 rod and kustom cars, old school low riders, cycles, scooters and muscle cars. All that plus four live bands playing each each day. And if that’s not enough to float your boat, both evenings wind down with a hard rockin’ double feature movie progrtam consisting of Ralph Bakshi’s WIZARDS and HEAVY METAL.
Ooops, almost forgot…
Edelman: Stan Plesser, The Man Who Made Cowtown (1932-2011)
Before there was Chris Fritz, Jeff Fortier, AEG, Live Nation, whatever, an ex-shoe dog from NYC put our town on the rock and roll map and made this a cool place to live.
He’s gone now: Stan Plesser, club owner, band manager and KC’s first rock and roll impresario died Friday. They don’t make em like Stan anymore.
My first impression of the man was listening to his spots on KUDL or WHB in the 60s. Plugging his Vanguard Coffeehouse, Stan did his own voice-overs, hawking in that nasal Broadway accent his roster of talent. Danny Cox, Brewer & Shipley, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steve Martin— they all played the Vanguard. It was THE place to go to impress a date.
Glazer: ESPN Heavyweight Jeff Chadiha says ‘Don’t Worry About Whitlock
Jeff Chadiha has it all…
He’s an ESPN sports broadcaster, writes for ESPN Magazine and is on the Jim Rome Show. He’s also on ESPN‘s E60 and writes for ESPN.COM. Jeff’s a budding national sports media star.
He hails from the University of Wyoming where he played college ball and then moved to Ann Arbor to become a reporter for the newspaper there. Their sports guy at the time was a dude named Jason Whitlock and Jeff and Jason became fast friends.
"Whitlock is honest and has deep integrity," says Jeff. "I love the guy."
When Jason moved to Kansas City Jeff took his place. Whitlock became huge here while Jeff went to Sports Illustrated. He moved to New York where he met his wife who’s from Joplin. So Jeff, who could have lived anywhere he wanted when he joined ESPN in 2005, moved to Kansas City so his wife could be close to her family. Turned out Jeff had family in Joplin too.
Now let’s cut to the chase…
Starbeams: Top 5 Signs Your Labor Day is Gonna Suck, Driving Miss Kardashian & Plaza Teens
Kim Kardashian received a $450,000 Ferrari as a wedding gift from…herself.
It’s a white 2011 Ferrari 430 with a carbon fiber interior, $15,000 wheels, a see-through glass engine compartment in the rear and a ton of other features.
***Let’s just hope there isn’t there isn’t a video leaked showing Ray-J driving it.
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If you think the violence on the Plaza was bad a couple weekends back, this weekend a group of local teens plans to gather on the Plaza, get on Facebook and interact with their teachers.
TOP 5 SIGNS YOUR LABOR DAY WEEKEND IS GOING TO SUCK
#5. The only person who invites you to party is KC Mayor Sly James‘ son!
#4. You live in Kansas City North and the only cat sitter in the hood has 100 cats.
Hearne: Hate Radio 980, Buzz v KanRocksas, Glazer Naked, LeRoi, Crosstown Exit
So many bases, so little time…
SAY WHAT?
The on-air, quote of the month honors for August goes to 610 Sports host Nick Wright.
For his triple diss of blogger Tony Botello, radio chick Darla Jaye and NewsRadio KMBZ.
"(Tony) has a weekly spot on Hate Radio 980 with all 63 I.Q. points of Darla Jaye."
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THEY SUCK PERIOD
Craig Glazer‘s pal Sam Mellinger, sports columnist at the Star, tiptoes around saying pretty much the same thing as Glazer about this year’s Kansas City Chiefs.
"Maybe it’s not as bad as it looks," Mellinger’s column today begins. Later adding, "Whatever plan coach Todd Haley and the Chiefs had for this preseason turned into a bag of stink."
Now here’s Mellinger’s hedge…
"If the Chiefs beat the Bills in the opener, this is all forgotten, wasted energy, we move on."
Glazer’s take on Mellinger’s Bills theory?
"No way. The Bills are a real bad team and we’re playing them at home. So we could beat ’em and it could be one of our three or four wins. But then come the losing streaks. This team is a train wreck."
Is Glazer prepared to eat crow if the Chiefs make the playoffs and go to the Super Bowl this season?
"If that happens, I will walk naked down Shawnee Mission Parkway in Fairway at midnight with my head shaved."
Uh, stay tuned…
Glazer: Chiefs Send in the Clowns, Prepare for Worst
I’d like to tell you that Scott Pioli, Todd Haley and Clark Hunt had a meeting last week and decided to GO ALL OUT TO GET A WIN AT GREEN BAY…
And that it worked. But instead it was a clown act. The desperate Kansas City Chiefs used their starters – THEIR STARTERS – almost the ENTIRE GAME. THE PACKERS, never had their first team on the field. Yes, Aaron Rogers saw one series but he was in the Chiefs end zone before Clark could call Scottie and ask, "So do you still think we can get at least 50,000 to the home opener next week?"
The answer: NO.
Even ye of little faith (and me) must now sit down, shed a tear and say to ourselves, "There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home." Then maybe we can click our heels and get back to Kansas from this nightmare.
Hey Chiefs fans, it’s only just begun. This is a doormat team. Yes, we have some good players – we all know their names – but we have no team. There is no offensive line, none. No D line, or almost none. And finally, there is no quarterback.
Matt Cassel is clearly a flop. No, he’s not The Franchise. In fact, it’s likely we’ll go through all three QBs and maybe a veteran before the CLOWN ACT SEASON ENDS.
Hearne: Maye Day, Maye Day – Jardine’s Adds Last Minute Marilyn Maye Show Friday
This just in, from Jardine‘s jazz club owner Beena Brandsgard…
I mean, Beena Rajalekshmi. I mean, Beena Raja. Due to popular demand, the jazz club diva with the musical last names has added an additional Marilyn Maye show to this week’s mix.
"I added another show tomorrow at 5 p.m.," Raja says. "Because of the call volume."
Early reports from Roger the Plumber and Tracy "I got banned" Thomas are that Maye’s show is the best ever. Roger and Thomas celebrated their birthdays Wednesday at Maye’s show at Jardine’s.
Glazer: Why Pro Sports Stars Care Less About Fans & How Otis Taylor Broke My Heart
You cry, get upset, throw things, pay thousands to watch ’em play, stand in lines, wear their names on shirts, speak highly of them….
But truth be known, NFL Players think you’re a pain in the ass. They don’t like you. They like to hear you cheer for them at a game or stand and clap, wear their stuff and glorify their names. But no, they don’t like you or want to be around you.
Sorry…
I’ve hung with too many players – even baseball players. And they don’t much like fans. Almost none of them. Oh, they say they do on TV and on the radio. "We have the best fans…"
Yeah right.
Behind your backs, they hide from you guys unless you are a hot, 25 year-old, big-boobed blonde.
Today: All That Glitters is Not Groupon, Daily Deal Makers Starting to Suck
I’ve said quite a few positive things about Groupon the past two years…
Following its entry into the KC market, business owners I interviewed spoke highly of it. Said the people who buy Groupons – half off coupons usually – are upscale, bring friends, spend money, tip well and become repeat customers.
And with hundreds of thousands of locals on Groupon’s email list, it’s also good advertising, businesses say.
With rare exception, members of the comments crowd totally disagreed.
