KC Confidential | Hearne Christopher, Uncensored

Donnelly: Bonnaroo Scores With Lineup, Fails With Cutesy Way of Announcing It

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Matthew Donnelly

On Tuesday Bonnaroo unleashed its 2013 lineup in the most annoying way humanly possible.

If you were thinking that it somehow must have involved Weird Al Yankovic, give yourself a gold star. I mean, there’s annoying, and then there’s Amish-Paradise-annoying.

Instead of simply releasing all the bands at a set time – or even trickling them out little by little ala Kanrocksas – some marketing genius (who is probably now unemployed judging from the almost instantaneous online backlash) talked the Bonnaroo people into airing a two hour-long webcast.

And yes, of course, it was hosted by Weird Al. Who by the way looks exactly like he did in 1991… Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Hearne: Travel Agency Head Has Close Call, Faces Frigid Temps

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Hearne Christopher Jr.

When it comes to post work partying, timing is everything…

At least that was the case for Shelton Travel head honcho Mark Ebbitts. That after Ebbitts narrowly missed having a front row seat for Tuesdays explosion at J.J.’s restaurant just west of the Country Club Plaza.

“Mark was lucky to get out,” says KCC movie man Jack Poessiger, who doubles as a travel dude at Shelton. “He usually goes across the street for a drink after work and I often go with him. We close at 5:30 p.m.” Continue reading →

Posted in Hearne_Christopher | 8 Comments

Hearne: Kanrocksas Poised to Unleash Lineup Next Week

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Hearne Christopher Jr.

It’s pretty calm out here in LA right now…

Unlike back in KC where explosions and looming concert announcements are rocking the Cowtown. For now let’s skitter past the untimely departure of heralded Plaza eatery J.J.’s and move on to more positive news.

Word on the street is that Kanrocksas is poised to announce its lineup a week from tomorrow. Continue reading →

Posted in Hearne_Christopher | 7 Comments

Leftidge: TV Time: House of Cards, a Busy Show About Morning BBQ, Politics

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Brandon Leftridge

Are you watching House of Cards on Netflix? Because I’m not. Well, not ACTIVELY, I suppose. See, I watched the first two episodes, and for some reason—I’m just not FEELING it, and I’m not entirely sure why.

The acting is impeccable. Kevin Spacey stars as Francis “Frank” Underwood, chicken-fried Democratic congressman and House Majority Whip. He’s ruthless and dedicated and all of the things a complex political character should be. His wife is a cool, calculated environmental activist played by Robin Wright. Rising beauty Kate Mara is Zoe Barnes, a greenhorn Washington Herald reporter whose inexperience has nothing to do with naivety; she only needs a source, who she finds in Underwood. He’s totally pissed off because he was passed over for the Secretary of State position that he was promised, and, much like the morning plate of ribs he devours at the end of the first episode, he commits himself to methodically dismantling those who have wronged him.

Deceit! Betrayal! Morning BBQ!

These are all things that make for interesting viewing, but in spite of this—and the aforementioned outstanding acting—it’s just not doing it for me. Continue reading →

Posted in Brandon Leftridge, Entertainment | Tagged Brandon Leftridge, House of Cards, Kate Mara, TV Time | 5 Comments

Leftridge: Where to Eat in the Crossroads (When You’re Not Being Robbed)

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Brandon Leftridge

Due to my lofty social status, charming personality and dashing good looks, I’m often being asked for my take on things. You know, “hey Brendan, you’re 18-34, super-hip and ultra-cultured. You live in a cool part of town, too, and probably pay a ridiculous amount to do so. Where do you like to eat? I’d like to eat there, too! I like your jacket. It makes you look great!”

I usually thank this person, say something like, “you betcha!” and then point at my ear buds before smiling and walking away. It’s not that I don’t love hearing the accolades or fear sharing my opinion, it’s that I don’t like talking to people in real life. (Plus: it’s the Crossroads, and apparently there’s a rash of crime going around. How do I know you’re not trying to steal my Air Jordans?)

But it’s different on the internet.

So if you’ve ever wondered where I like to eat without the hindrance of travelling more than half-a-mile from my front door—or, if you’ve never heard of me but are still looking for the five best restaurants in the Crossroads Art District, I’ve compiled a list.

I like to call it, “The Five Best Places to Eat That Are Within Less-Than-A-Mile of My House.” I think it’s pretty catchy.

Let’s have a looksee! Continue reading →

Posted in Brandon Leftridge | Tagged BBQ, Brandon Leftridge, Crossroads, food, The Rieger | 15 Comments

New Jack City: Oscar Race Hits High Gear

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Jack Poessiger

Finally the suspense is back at the Oscars!

Sunday night’s 85th annual edition of Hollywood’s annual love fest is tighter than many of the stretched faces that’ll be on parade. We haven’t seen a slugfest like this in years.

Like in the BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR category, Phillip Seymour Hoffman‘s THE MASTER is running a tight race with Tommy Lee Jones in LINCOLN.
I’m putting my chips on Jones. Continue reading →

Posted in Jack Poessiger | Leave a comment

Sounds Good: Bonnaroo, Country Mice@Replay, North Mississippi All-Stars@Knuckleheads, Toro Y Moi@Granada, UUVVWWZ@Bottleneck

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Matthew Donnelly

Mega-fest Bonnaroo, held annually in Tennessee, is announcing their lineup today, Tuesday, February 19th at noon CST.

Rumors circulating have tabbed Sir Paul McCartney as one of the big headliners, with a little less chatter mentioning The Rolling Stones. While I wouldn’t personally be moved to plunk down my $175 to see either of these acts on their own, this is the kind of big swing that Kanrocksas needs.

And Bonnaroo always throws in newer artists that inevitably blow up, which over the years has given the festival a reliable reputation as a sure thing to music fans looking for a new story to tell their friends about seeing a band “in the little tent by the food court.”

That happens to be how I stumbled across My Morning Jacket a decade ago.

It’s a blueprint for what Kanrocksas organizers should be trying to do.

To the picks! Continue reading →

Posted in Matthew_Donnelly | 3 Comments

Hearne: Cops Bust ‘Coffee Wonk’ for Fake Pot (Again), Day in Court Next Week

Posted on February 18, 2013 by admin

It’s not easy being Micah Riggs…

Far from it. Once upon a time – four years ago – the owner of Coffee Wonk near 35th and Broadway in Kansas City – was the owner of a thriving business, selling coffee, pastries and a smoking substance known as K2 – a form of what loosely is known as synthetic pot.

That was then. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Whinery: Due Process for Christopher Dorner

Posted on February 18, 2013 by David Scott Whinery Esquire

Its been five days since, depending on how you look at things, law enforcement decided to play judge, jury and executioner with Mr. Christopher Dorner…

The way I look at it- he was “Waco’d”

Who Cares? Continue reading →

Posted in David Scott Whinery | 12 Comments

Leftridge: Bob Davis Ends 16-Year Reign of Terror

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Brandon Leftridge

Here’s a hypothetical scenario.

Bottom of the 9^th. Royals trailing the White Sox by 5 runs. One out. Lorenzo Cain on first. Eric Hosmer, who’d had the day off, is pinch-hitting. He watches the first pitch sail high for ball one. After knocking the dirt from his cleats, he steps back into the box and settles. The next pitch is low and outside, but Hosmer hacks. The end of the bat catches the ball—barely—and he lofts a long, lazy gimmee to the left-fielder, who makes the routine catch and tosses it back to the infield. Two outs.

Now here’s how this same hypothetical scenario sounded when hypothetically called by (former!!) Royals’ announcer Bob Davis.

“Bottom of the… ninth? Ninth. Two outs. Lamaar Cain on first with a chance to score the winning run. Or tie it. Eric Hosmand at the plate. Hosmand takes the first pitch low and inside, strike one. The Orioles closer Brantley goes into the wind-up, and here’s the pitch. Hosmand rockets ones—it’s deep!—THIS ONE’S GOT LEGS!—IF ONLY THE WIND WILL CARRY IT—IT COULD BE!!—annnnd the left fielder Huxtable MAKES the catch, and that’s your ballgame, folks! WOW. WHAT an ending—Aaron Hostler really gave Brantley a jolt there, but the Royals come up short… oh, MY mistake—Butler’s coming up with a chance to win it.”

Now quite obviously, this is an exaggeration. But the thing is, it’s not all that far from the truth and that is why I am ecstatic that the 16 year Royals’ broadcasting vet recently announced that he was hanging up his Royal blue microphone. (He will, however, continue broadcasting for KU Jayhawks basketball.) Continue reading →

Posted in Brandon Leftridge, Sports | Tagged Bob Davis, Brandon Leftridge, KC Royals, Leftridge Week | 13 Comments

Hearne: How ‘Corrections Game’ is Played at KC Star

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Hearne Christopher Jr.

A few of you are gonna be all over this one…

Because it harks back to my biggest journalistic faux pas. Everyone makes errors, don’t kid yourself – every writer, reporter, editor. It’s not exclusive to just me or the Scribe.

But before we delve into my greatest, all-time writing blunder, I want to let you in on a secret. While errors of any sort are big time frowned upon at the Kansas City Star, the journalists who make them are not above trying to get away with them without publishing a correction…if they possibly can.

To illustrate this point I’m going to share a couple of big ones that went uncorrected by Star staffers. Continue reading →

Posted in Hearne_Christopher | 6 Comments

New Jack City: Jennifer Lawrence Re-Signs with ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ Director

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Jack Poessiger

This just in…

Movie industry tracker Deadline reports great news for fans of the critically acclaimed and box office hit SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. Its director David O. Russell has tapped Jennifer Lawrence to star opposite Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner in a yet untitled new drama.

Untitled? Continue reading →

Posted in Jack Poessiger | 5 Comments

Hearne: Will Kanrocksas II Live to Tell the Story?

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Hearne Christopher Jr.

With the Buzz Beach Ball out of the way, all eyes turn to the second coming of the locally-produced music fest known as Kanrocksas…

Beach Ball’s pending move to September clears the way for Kanrocksas to go down hassle free in terms of getting local alternative rock radio station The Buzz to accept its promotional ads for the June 28/29 fest at Kansas Speedway.

Now if Kanrocksas can just come up with acts attendees are willing to shell out $175 to $200 per person to see. Continue reading →

Posted in Hearne_Christopher | 19 Comments

Hearne: Buzz Beach Ball Says, ‘See Ya in September’

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Hearne Christopher Jr.

About this summer’s alt rock showdown in June between the Buzz Beach Ball and Kanrocksas…

Call off the dogs of war.

Entercom station The Buzz is moving its Beach Ball concert date at Livestrong – I mean, Sporting Park – from June to September, sources say.

Word on the street is Beach Ball was having a hard time finding marquee acts for a hoped-for June 8th date. Continue reading →

Posted in Hearne_Christopher | 4 Comments

Paul Wilson: Carol Burnett Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts – February 14, 2013

Posted on February 15, 2013 by admin

The handicap parking was packed an hour before showtime…

Not exactly a big surprise since the headliner was iconic, 79 year-old comic Carol Burnett. Clearly this was no Lady Gaga concert crowd.

That said, my first encounter of the evening was with a 20-something hipster couple dressed as if they’d made a wrong turn on the way to the Record Bar. Pitch readers, I suppose.

“She’s an INSTITUTION,” the dude said. “Some of my best childhood memories are of my mom and me watching her reruns.” Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, guest_shot | 129 Comments

Hearne: Will SNL’s Jason Sudeikis Wed Olivia Wilde in Lawrence?

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Hearne Christopher Jr.

Think of it as the ultimate Jayhawk tribute…

It’s no secret Saturday Night Live funny guy Jason Sudeikis bleeds KU blue. Sudeikis even wrote an SNL sketch for Jack Black that was set in iconic Lawrence bar The Wheel and has been known to sport KU shorts on the show’s set.

Not to mention he’s been seen around Lawrence while here to attend basketball games with his fiance, actress Olivia Wilde.

Now sources say Sudeikis and wild are taking it to the limit and planning to marry here in Lawrence, possibly at the historic Eldridge Hotel downtown. Continue reading →

Posted in Hearne_Christopher | 9 Comments

Jack Goes Confidential: ‘DIE HARD 5’ Serves Up Non-Stop Action—Little Else

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Jack Poessiger

If you’ve seen the TV spots promoting A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD you pretty well know what this movie is all about…

Namely 98 minutes of rolling gun battles, explosions, violence and car chases. All punctuated by semi-clever one-liners uttered by Bruce Willis.

Guess you’d call that truth in advertising. Continue reading →

Posted in Jack Poessiger | 4 Comments

Starbeams: Kate Upton Bikini Pics, Grinders South, Adele & The Flying J

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Kelly Urich

flying-j-793327 Happy Valentine’s Day! The convenience store in my hood is out of chocolates, so it looks like this year I’ll make another trip to the Flying J.

*******

The hunt for the ex-police officer ended with a cabin fire and a corpse. Or was that my last trip to Lake of the Ozarks? I’ve had too much chocolate ale.

******* Continue reading →

Posted in Starbeams | 3 Comments

Hearne: A Pop Quiz for Carol Burnett’s Valentine’s Show @ Kauffman Center

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Hearne Christopher Jr.

Lemme tell you what I mostly know about Carol Burnett…

Along with Lucille Ball she was one of my mother’s favorites. Two looney ladies of the 50s, 60s and 70s – Burnett being the one who did the Tarzan yell.

Coupled with the fact that Thursday’s Burnett show at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts could sell out and the Pitch even recommended it, that speaks volumes for the staying power of the 79 year-old comedy legend.

What to expect? Not your standard issue senior citizen standup comedy show.

Burnett’s 90 minute throw down is – mostly anyway – an anything-could-happen Q&A session with the audience. They ask, she answers. It went down in Tucson recently late last month. Continue reading →

Posted in Hearne_Christopher | 23 Comments

Hearne: Axed Star Columnist Steve Penn’s Lawsuit Alive, Kicking

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Hearne Christopher Jr.

There’s a school of thought among some Kansas City Star reporters – past and present – that fired former columnist Steve Penn‘s lawsuit against the newspaper didn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hades…