The Third Dukes

Well, you called it. 3-1. Wonderful game by everyone out there, but Donovan is the man. Why this guy didn't get a shot at Leverkusen is beyond me.

Started with Blyth Spartans in 06/07 -- bottom division and no expectations -- and went on a free transfer spree. But the best player has been Blyth lifer Robert Dale, who's helped me compete in the Conference North. Late in 2009, picked up Gary Holt -- that's right, Scotland fans; that Gary Holt -- and he helped anchor in the DM role of my 3-4-3 diamond formation. Finished 4th in 09/10, then made the playoff final thanks to penalties over archrival Gateshead. Faced Scarborough in Elland Road for the playoff final, and on an injury time goal by Tes Bramble, we're going to the Conference. Where we finish dead last on 24 points from 46. So now I'm back down and in a position where the fans and board think we can win it all, and the media has us 4th in their preseason poll. I'm very close to searching for new jobs, but I doubt anyone would hire me -- I'm still considered "Unproven". WTF?

Sharon Stone big winner (loser?) at Razzies Reuters - Feb 24, 08:28 Pity actress Sharon Stone -- she cannot return to the scene of the crime without getting whacked. Stone and her failed film sequel, "Basic Instinct 2," swept the 27th annual Golden Raspberry Awards, or Razzies, on Saturday night as they collected dubious-distinction honors in four categories -- worst film, worst actress, worst screenplay and worst prequel or sequel. John Wilson, the head of the foundation that lampoons Hollywood on the eve of the Oscars, said that while Razzie voters spread their loathing as best they could this year -- they kept returning to "Basic Instinct 2," the sequel to the sex-thriller that made Stone a star in 1992. Making of the film was delayed for several years because of production problems and lawsuits. At one point, Stone sued the producers for $100 million claiming they had made it impossible for her to get other jobs. But eventually the film was made and it opened to nearly universal critical scorn. "Little Man," a comedy made by the Wayans Brothers, picked up three Razzies, including worst remake or rip-off. Brothers Shawn and Marlon Wayans were named worst screen couple and shared the prize for worst actor. Their comedy about a tiny thief who disguises himself as a baby, supposedly was based on a Bugs Bunny cartoon. Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, who blew off a lucrative deal with Disney over the company's criticism of his movie "Lady in the Water," received two Razzies for that film: worst director and worst supporting actor for his own performance in it. The Razzie for worst supporting actress went to former "Baywatch" beauty Carmen Electra after a neck-and-neck fight with onetime Playboy Playmate Jenny McCarthy. Electra won for two films -- "Date Movie" and "Scary Movie 4." "RV," a comedy starring Robin Williams, was the winner of the newest Razzie category, worst excuse for family entertainment. The Razzies were created in 1980 by Wilson, a devoted film fan. They are decided by a vote of the Golden Raspberry Foundation's 757 members. Winners receive a gold-painted, golf ball-sized raspberry atop a mangled super-8 film reel. The trophy has an estimated value of $4.97.

I don't want to read through 40+ pages, so I'll just ask here: What's with the German NT? Or the Dutch?

So basically we can treat Anna Nicole on a higher platform simply because she was on TV and in Playboy meanwhile Bob never got anyone's attention or headlines?

What's amazing is that Elvis was a great SINGER, not just a great entertainer. "In the Ghetto" is an amazingly powerful song, and his "America Trilogy" is also kickass. If Elvis were "discovered" today, would he be as successful? I don't know, and it doesn't matter. Elvis > *

A column from Agence France-Presse: Time for action not just words after violence claims another life by Stefano Blin February 3, 2007 ROME (AFP) - Promises to come down hard on the football hooligans have so far fallen short, but how many more people need to die before Italy finally deals with a sickness that is killing its favourite sport? On Friday all professional and amateur football championships were suspended until further notice following the death of a policeman after the highly-charged Serie A match between Sicilian rivals Catania and Palermo. Filippo Raciti died after a home-made bomb was thrown into his car as police officers came under attack from Catania fans outside the Massimino stadium. Raciti's death follows the murder last Saturday of Ermanno Licursi, a director of Calabria-based amateur team Sammartinese who suffered a brain haemorrhage after being kicked in the face by a fan of rival team Cancellese. Italy is struggling to contain the violence, but Italian football federation president Luca Pancalli, who was brought in to clean up the sport's image following the Serie A match-fixing scandal, is promising swift and decisive action. "The suspension will remain in place until sufficient measures have been taken to restore calm," Pancalli said. "I stand by my decision to call a halt to football. My conscience left me with no other choice. "Football needs to pull together and make sure incidents like this never happen again." Italy coach Roberto Donadoni believes the hooliganism should have been properly dealt with years ago. "We don't practice what we preach," said Donadoni whose team's friendly against Romania next Wednesday was also called off. "We've been talking about these incidents for years and they still keep on happening. "Too often we talk too much and now concrete steps must be taken." Italy's Olympic Committee (CONI), which oversees the activities of all sports federations, are holding an emergency meeting on Sunday while Pancalli will meet Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi on Monday. Legislation to try and clamp down on the violence was introduced over a year ago, including named tickets, more CCTV cameras, extra stewards and stringent body searches. But many clubs have failed to meet the criteria set by the government and the trouble has continued up and down the country every week. In Italy, many stadiums are owned by the local council and rented out to the clubs, so the clubs are reluctant to spend money on improving security. Despite behind banned, flares, bottles and offensive banners are seen regularly at matches, clear evidence that searches are not being properly carried out. Some of the security measures have simply moved the trouble outside the stadiums and onto the streets. Italian football has been plagued by violence in recent years. In March 2004 the Rome derby between Lazio and Roma was abandoned at half-time because of crowd trouble inside and outside the Olympic stadium. The unrest erupted after a rumour, which later proved to be false, went around that a young Roma fan had been run over and killed by a police car outside the ground. Later that year Roma fans were once again in the spotlight. The Champions League match between Roma and Dynamo Kiev was abandoned at half time after Swedish referee Anders Frisk was hit by an object thrown from the crowd. In April 2005 the Champions League quarter-final, second leg between Inter and AC Milan was abandoned in the 73rd minute after Inter fans threw dozens of flares onto the San Siro pitch. One of them struck and injured Milan goalkeeper, Nelson Dida. Football-related violence in Italy has claimed the lives of 12 people since 1962.

Can we all just agree that Italy is a corrupt wasteland and leave it at that? I mean, they invented organized crime, for heaven's sake. I think damshow is half-right. They need to do to Italy what happened to England, and that is suspend Italy from UEFA for a length of time until they prove they're under control again.

Seger or Metallica -- Metallica's version of "Turn the Page" is just inches better, but it fits the category perfectly. I also feel ashamed for liking Alanis Morrisette's cover of Seal's "Crazy". I beg for forgiveness.

The worst part of parody movies nowadays is that they generally don't have a plot. What made Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood Men in Tights great (apart from Mel Brooks being a fucking genius) was that there was a redeeming story. Blazing Saddles isn't just satire, it's fucking social commentary! The movies nowadays don't even try to slap a plot together and even take pride in it. (NATM in particular made it clear that it was just a series of stock characters -- ugh.) Airplane, Hot Shots, and Naked Gun show that the Zuckers own your soul.

Admittedly, his shtick turned me off to him, but why was Sam Kinison funny? As far as I can tell, he talks about everyday activities and then just starts getting really loud and annoying until you hurt yourself trying to hit the mute button on my remote control!!! Loud is not funny. Funny is funny.

Below is an article written by Gabriele Marcotti, Sports Illustrated's European football correspondent, on the subject.

With Texas Tech's 70-68 victory over New Mexico, Bob Knight surpassed Dean Smith to be the undisputed winningest coach in NCAA basketball history. Say what you will about him personally (and heaven knows it's been said, and I've said some of it), but the guy knows how to teach basketball, and I'll just focus on that. Congratulations.

He's a legend, plain and simple. Good bye, James. Rest in peace.

So, does the Miami-FIU stuff deserve its own thread? I mean, as I told Biggz, you can't spell "Thuggies" without "T H E U".