Punched out

Washington state police are investigating a sucker-punch doled out by a Little Leaguer this weekend.

The incident, captured on tape below, occurred following a tournament game in Snohomish County. As the teams were engaging in the post-game shaking hands ritual, one player draws back and straight up socks a player on the opposing team in the face.

The players were not identified and there has been no word yet on what the motivation for the punch was. The victim was taken to the ER and given stitches in his upper lip.

Pretty messed up.

Want a small fry with that?

In the (belated) spirit of Memorial Day and the millions of BBQs that were held this weekend, I have to post this picture. Mmm...baby....


Seriously. Who the heck does this to their child?
(photo ala divinecaroline.com)

Update: Reality TV brilliance, if there is such a thing...

As previously reported, VH1 is taking their reality television programming to another level with "I Love Money," which pits former "Flavor of Love," "I Love New York" and "Rock of Love" contestants against each other in the quest for money--what they were actually on those shows for in the first place.

Now, the entire cast list has been announced, including:

Flavor of Love: Hoopz, Nibblz, Pumkin, Toasteee,
Rock of Love: Brandi C, Destiney, Heather, Megan, Rodeo,
I Love New York: 12-Pack, Chance, The Entertainer, Heat, Midget Mac, Mr. Boston, Real, Whiteboy


And a long "supertease" trailer has been released. These challenges are off the wall (a spitting contest inspired by Pumkin and some sort of chicken catapult??), the hook-ups look extremely underhanded and entertaining (Heather and 12-Pack, Real and Hoopz) and the 40-year-old Rodeo looks awkwardly out of place amongst the scantily clad youngsters.


video.vh1.com

More mindless television for me to get sucked into. God, I love it. "I Love Money" is set to premiere July 13 (with a casting special slated for July 6).


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Reality TV brilliance, if there is such a thing

"Pork and Beans"

I don't have a lot of time to post, but I've described this video three different times in two days, so I figured I'd post it.

Weezer pays homage to the powerhouse celebrity-maker that is YouTube in their new video for "Pork and Beans." The video was added Friday and already has 3 million views! Viral video much?

Notables in the video include the brainless Miss South Carolina Caitlin Upton ("Everwhere, like, such as the Iraq), Chris Crocker ("LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE"), the Peanut Butter Jelly Time banana, Matt McAllister (the world record setter for most t-shirts worn), Will it Blend?, Numa Numa ("Mayaheee, mayahaha"), Tay Zonday ("Chocolate Rain"), Dramatic Chipmunk (or prairie dog) and Kelly the shoe girl... just to name a few.

Not as good as the old-time Weezer, but it's a catchy song...

Baby for sale!

A German baby placed up for auction on eBay for the price of bubble gum this week has been taken into custody, police said.

The 7-month-old baby boy was advertised on the site for one euro--or $1.57--with the description: "Offering my nearly new baby for sale, as it has gotten too loud. It is a male baby, nearly 28 inches (70 cm) long and can be used either in a baby carrier or a stroller."

The baby has been placed in custody of child services, though the 23-year-old mother claims that it was all a joke. Neither she nor her 24-year-old husband have been identified.

The ad was up for about 2.5 hours, but no bids were made. Several people who saw the posting called police.

Put your mouth where the money is...?

Subliminal messages may only have proven worthwhile for Zack Morris, but apparently KFC is giving the technique a try.

Check out this video by a Consumerist reader who discovered that KFC slipped a dollar bill into the lettuce of its Snacker sandwich. Pretty interesting.

Let the Fraggles play...on the big screen!

I'm glad someone figured out that making horror films about cell phones or more Tyler Perry movies was lame and decided to go back to the basics: classic children's television programming.

As reported by Variety Magazine, The Weinstein Co. intends to turn Jim Henson's brainchild "Fraggle Rock" into a live action musical.

Oh my God. You can't help but get warm fuzzies when you think of this show...and if you have no idea what I'm talking about, then, God, I'm old. But I seriously cannot wait for this.

The good news is that not much about the show will change when it hits the screen: The film will feature a mix of human characters and puppets, and all your fav Fraggles (Gobo, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and Red) are onboard with the project.

There is no solidified plot announced yet, but word has it that the Fraggles will interact outside their home with humans, whom they think are aliens.

And just to celebrate, check out the classic Fraggle Rock intro below. I love Boober at the end--he's my fav.

Thanks, Dave!

Bret leaves the ladies 'Charmed'

It's official: The ladies of "Rock of Love" will be featured in the second season of VH1's "Charm School."

Fourteen of Bret Michaels' former suitors--from both season one and two--will be on their best behavior in hopes of winning $100,000.

And I kept that last statement completely PC. I was toying with some sort of 'head' of the class pun.

Unlike the first season, which fell under the direction of comedian Monique, the show will be hosted by rock mama Sharon Osbourne. No official cast list announced yet, but it'd be safe to say that Lacey and Heather need the manners lessons most.

RELATED LINKS
Reality television brilliance, if there is such a thing

Yeahhhh Boyeeee!

So I've been really sick for the last two days and have spent the greater portion of the last 48 hours confined to bed. Fortunately for me--and I say that with complete sarcasm--the only thing on television this weekend and today was a marathon of all three seasons of "Flavor of Love."

Yes. Sadly enough, I watched 12 hours of Flavor Flav and his "Flavorettes" today and almost didn't hate it. All leading up to the season 3--and series--finale tonight, in which Flav was to decide between Thing 2 (below, left) and Black (below, right).

Because my brain is fried--both from the mind-numbing hours of "FOL" and the massive amount of medication I'm on--I won't even try to make this creative, but to report on reality television news that more than likely no one really cares about, here we go:

In a fashion similar to both "Rock of Love" and "Biggest Loser Couples" finales this year, a previously eliminated contestant went home with the prize, and in this case, it was FLAAAAVOR FLAAAAV.

The man, myth and legend selected one half of the set of twins cast this season (the thinner and better looking of the two, by the by). Thing 2, who had been eliminated two episodes before the finale, was brought back in a twist and it was pretty clear she was there to stay.

Good for them. Perhaps this one will work out, unlike Flav's first two "winners," but even if it doesn't, Flav has sworn off a "Flavor of Love:4."

No-no for Lester

From the AP--

BOSTON (AP) — Jon Lester can now add pitching a no-hitter to his already amazing list of accomplishments.

The 24-year-old lefty, who survived cancer to pitch the clincher of Boston's 2007 World Series victory, shut down Kansas City 7-0 Monday night for the first no-hitter in the majors this season.

9021Oh noo.....

Thanks to a quick commercial in the middle of tonight's season finale of "Gossip Girl" (and a heads up from my friend, Jackie), I have learned of the CW's intention to make a 90210 spinoff.

When I first heard about the reinvention of one of my favorite teenage dramas, I was like totally stoked, but after learning of the show's intended plotline, it is not looking so good in the upscale neighborhood.

This spinoff, which is set to premiere in the fall, is based around the Mills family (reminiscent of The Walshes), who have moved from St. Louis to Beverly Hills and are adjusting to the scenery.

According to E! News, there's Harry Mills (aka the Jim Walsh of the series)and his wife Celia (aka Cindy Walsh) and the couple's biological daughter, Annie--who much like Brenda Walsh--is into acting and alternative music and longs to fit into the cool crowd at school.

But in order to differentiate from the original series, the Mills don't have twins--they instead have Dixon, an adopted son who's the same age as Annie and was taken in by her family six years earlier. And apparently the show is looking to cast a minority actor in the role in order to more accurately depict California than its predecessor's completely whitebread cast.

And while there are Andrea Zuckerman and David and Donna-like characters, none of the original cast will be featured in the show. E! reports, however, that both Tori Spelling and Ian Ziering have said that they would participate if asked.

This...yeah. Not so good. I doubt CW will strike gold as they have with "Gossip Girl" (which is seriously one of the best shows on television these days), but I will probably end up checking this out...if nothing else, but to see what The Peach Pit looks like and if Nat is still alive.

For a taste of retro 90210, watch the show's intro below. Gotta love those good times on the beach.

'When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza line...'

A Florida pizza parlor has set the Guinness World Record for longest line of pizzas. Delicioso!

Scott Van Duzer and employees of Big Apple Pizza and Pasta created a chain of pizza on Saturday that reached just over 722 feet. A judge believes it broke a previous Guinness World Record of just over 611 feet that was set in Italy in 2006.

The record-breaking event was also for a good cause: The parlor raised money for a St. Lucie County firefighter and his family who had their home destroyed by fire earlier in the week.

I still question where people come up with this stuff? Longest line of pizza? Like, what? But I love how Florida steals this record away from Italy. That's just messed up.

Teams of people turned out for the pizza line, which I'm sure had nothing to do with the fact that it was free pizza all around once the length had been tallied.

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Who wants to break stuff?

Second update: MySpace Murder

Updating an update of a previous item:

The Missouri mother responsible for 13-year-old Megan Meier's suicide and the phony MySpace account that pushed the young girl to do so has been indicted.

Lori Drew, of suburban St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles on one count of conspiracy and three counts of unauthorized access of protected computers to obtain information to inflict emotional distress, AP said.

Thank God for justice.

To read more about the case, click here, but the long and short of it is that the mother of one of Megan's former friends created a MySpace account and posed as a teenage boy named "Josh" to see what Megan was saying about her daughter.

The mother, her daughter and another adult had access to the account and corresponded with Megan as Josh for more than a month, until they began harassing Megan, saying that Josh didn't want to be her friend anymore and that the world would be a better place without her.

Megan, who suffered from ADD and depression, hanged herself as a result of the messages.

RELATED LINKS
MySpace Murder
Update: MySpace Murder

Girl meets girl??

As most of my friends know, McFaddens in Philadelphia (particularly on 3rd Street) is a horrendous bar--terrible DJs, awful music and this obnoxious siren that goes off every 30 seconds.

But...had I known I would have been given the chance to make out with Topanga, I totally would have suffered through all that babel.

Yes folks, below you'll find a photo of Danielle Fishel at McFaddens this past weekend, making nice (and making out) with the locals...especially of the female variety.

*courtesy of collegehumor.com

Hopefully she didn't drive home afterward...

And where the heck is Cory!!? I'm sure that lovable brillo-head would have something snappy to say. Does anyone think it's ironic that she used to date gay *NSYNC-er Lance Bass?

RELATED LINKS:
Girl meets law

Rolling 'Hills'

If you haven't heard already, MTV's "The Hills" has been picked up for a fourth season, which will begin airing in August with 19 new episodes.

Let's hope this next season picks it up a notch. But judge for yourself--the season four trailer has hit the Web. See below.

Free this time, I swear!

Okay, no joke this time: Tomorrow (May 15) is Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee Day!


For some reason, the chain set the first day of spring as its annual giveaway day, but backed out at the last minute, leaving freebie-seekers feeling stupid at the counter and awkwardly paying for a drink they were only ordering because they thought it was free.

But tomorrow we will all be given the opportunity to imbibe some delicious and free iced coffee--regular or flavored! [click here to find a D&D location near you]. Enjoy!

UPDATE: After the original entry was posted, I saw a commercial for a free McDonalds giveaway today (May 15), as well.

Between 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., McDonalds will be giving away a free Southern Style Chicken Biscuit--new this month--with purchase of any medium or large drink. Nothing like fried chicken between two buttery (and fatty) biscuits to start your day!

From 10:30 a.m. til 7 p.m., the chain will give away free Southern Style Chicken Sandwich (I think it's got pickles on it or something) with purchase of medium or large beverages.

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Paying for your free iced coffee
Forgiveness, please

"Your balls are showing"

Spencer Tunick, a New York photographer famous for large-scale nude projects, has created some 'balls-out' shots to celebrate The Beautiful Game.

Tunick shot 1,840 nude volunteers yesterday in Vienna's Ernst Happel stadium--the site of the EURO 2008 — the European soccer championship — which will be played next month.

The photographer had hoped to get 2,008 people out for the shoot, but no go. The shoot took place over a several hours, and the models posed in various positions throughout the stadium. [click here to view the gallery]

The goal, according to an ad for volunteers, was "to capture and combine the spirit of sports, the grand sweeping waves of stadium architecture and the abstract relation of the human form to modern structures."

Pathetic at the pump

While some of you Hummer owners may have experienced this months ago, this week marks my very first pathetic "at the pump" experience: When I saw the cost to fill up my tank pass the $40 mark, I let out an audible whimper. And I may or may not have shed a tear.

I drive an extremely fuel efficient car, and I'm sure people reading this are like, "Yeah, $40. Go to hell." But, at the same time, I have an average commute of 85 miles round trip to work each day, which means I fill up every three days and it is absolutely murdering my bank account--thanks, meager journalist salary!

That being said, I came across this article that lays out some of the gas-saving myths that people may be throwing your way in these times full of fuel woes. Learn if premium gas actually gives you better gas mileage or if using your A/C is or is not eating all your gas. It won't tell you how to save money on fuel, but it will give you the knowledge to tell people they're full of something when they tell you to fill up your tank in the morning because the gas is colder.

F-bomb on NBC

There's nothing I love more than live flubs on television and awkward moments--especially ala local news broadcasts--and this one is phenomenal.

Sue Simmons, a longtime NBC news anchor in NYC, was reading a tease during the 10 p.m. for the upcoming 11 o'clock news...only she didn't know it was airing live. Just as Simmons finishes teasing a package about grocery prices, B-roll of a cruise ship plays across the screen and she yells, well, go ahead and watch for yourself...



Haaaa. I especially love the more than eight seconds of silence that follow the blatant expletive.

When the news program aired at 11, Simmons offered an apology.

"I have to acknowledge an unfortunate incident... I used a word that many people find offensive. It was a mistake I made and I'm truly sorry."--Sue Simmons

NBC did not comment further.

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Muff-ing up on live television is always fun times

Bowling turns a blind eye

The 78-year-old Dale Davis of Alta, Iowa, rolled a perfect bowling game Saturday night--impressive, right? But oh, I forgot...he's blind.

After over sixty years on the lanes, it was Mr. Davis' first 300 and the first-ever bowled at Century Lanes. He has a 180 average and bowls in two leagues. His 300 came in the last game of the league's rolloffs.

Read an in-depth look at Mr. Davis' perfect game here.

I read in USATODAY, though, that Mr. Davis is a World War II veteran who lost his vision to macular degeneration. But wait a tick...if he just turned 78, was he 15 when he fought in the war?? I'm confused. Someone please let me know if you know the deal.

"A trip that truly touched them all"

I meant to post this story this weekend, I just got a little sidetracked.

If you haven't yet heard the story of Sara Tucholsky and Mallory Holtman, then please indulge in the full detailed, column-version of one of the greatest acts of sportsmanship ever reported.

If you don't feel like reading this all, please watch this video. It's amazing. Not gonna lie--I got a little welled up.




The shorter version of the article is that 5-foot-2 Tucholsky, a senior softball player at Western Oregon, had never hit a homerun in her entire career. But when her team met with conference rival Central Washington in the second part of a double header Saturday, the part-time starter and unlikely hero jacked a three-run shot over the wall in center field, launching her to team in an eruption of high fives and celebration.

Except Tucholsky, in all her glory, missed first base during her homerun trot. She turned to correct her misstep and doubled over to the ground as her right knee gave out and her ACL tore.

The Western Oregon coaches knew that they couldn't touch Tucholsky or the play would be called dead, the hit would be recorded as a two-run single and the senior's first--and only--home run of her career would be taken away.

But a compassionate offer from the competition allowed Tucholsky to touch 'em all: Central Washington's Holtman, who holds almost every hitting record at the school and has seen her fair share of HRs, asked the umpire if she and the CW shortstop could carry Tucholsky around the bases.

"Honestly, it's one of those things that I hope anyone would do it for me. She hit the ball over her fence. She's a senior. It's her last year...I think anyone who knew that we could touch her would have offered to do it, just because it's the right thing to do. She was obviously in agony."--Mallory Holtman.

The girls supported Tucholsky as they inched along the basepath to touch every base and scored the third run. Holtman's team rallied with two runs later in the game, which--had Tucholsky not scored--would have been enough to tie the game, but Western Oregon held on to the win.

If you want to see the event in action, watch the above embedded video.

An umpire later confirmed that the rule in question was misinterpreted on the field after Tucholsky's injury and later clarified by the NCAA. According to the rule book: "If an injury to a batter-runner or runner prevents her from proceeding to an awarded base, the ball is dead and the substitution can be made. The substitute must legally touch all awarded or missed bases not previously touched."

But no one at the time knew that, making this a completely selfless act that has deservedly received a lot of national attention and praise. Ahh, lots of warm fuzzies.


*Thanks, Stace

Every 'Simpsons' couch gag

You may not be a fan of the last five-eight years of "The Simpsons," but you gotta admit that this video is pretty incredible.




*Note - the creator of this video has admitted that not every single couch intro is actually included in here. There's about six or so missing.

'Rehab' renewed

I don't think I ever wrote about VH1's "Celebrity Rehab" when it was on a few months ago (probably because it's not nearly as addictive as "Rock of Love"), but nonetheless, it turned out to be an extremely captivating and--can you believe this--real reality show.

And VH1 is bringing it back for another stint.

It appears as though Dr. Drew is back again, but there has been no confirmation on any cast members or when the next season will air. Stay tuned!

Don't mess with New York...?

From Reuters:

A New York Yankees' fan was accused on Monday of murdering a Boston Red Sox supporter and injuring another by running both down with a car after a heated argument over one of America's oldest sporting rivalries.

Ivonne Hernandez, 43, pleaded not guilty on Monday to reckless second-degree murder, aggravated driving while intoxicated and two counts of reckless conduct after the incident in a Nashua, New Hampshire parking lot last Friday.

Prosecutors say Hernandez was drunk when she drove her car across a dirt parking lot outside the Nashua City Hall into Matthew Beaudoin, 29, and Maria Hughes, 21, after exchanging words with them about the Yankees and Red Sox baseball teams.

The spat began at a local bar where Hernandez said she was a Yankees fan, according to witnesses quoted by the Nashua Telegraph newspaper.

It then spilled outside where a group that included Beaudoin chanted "Yankees suck!" when they saw a Yankees sticker on the rear window of Hernandez's car, New Hampshire's Assistant Attorney General, Susan Morrell, told Reuters in a telephone interview.

She told Nashua District Court that Hernandez drove directly at the group and did not brake, hitting Beaudoin.

"The forensic evidence at the scene indicates tire tracks going about 200 feet that did not swerve or brake," Morrell said. "He went onto the windshield and then when the car hit the parking meter he was ejected," she added.

Beaudoin died of massive head trauma, she added. Hughes suffered minor injuries.

Hernandez told police she had only wanted to scare the group. She was ordered held without bail.

Belting and blogging it out with Bret

A big thanks to my co-worker, Geoff, who--after months of listening to me and fellow reporter Stef dish about "Rock of Love II" every Monday morning--informed me that Bret Michaels would be on FOX's "Don't Forget the Lyrics" tonight.

I must also thank (and apologize to) my boyfriend, who graciously let me off the phone when I made mention that Bret Michaels was on TV. With only a slight groan, he managed a sarcastic--yet, understanding--"I know, he's hot," and we said our goodbyes.

And in an effort to squeeze the life out of my love for Bret (and the aggregate 25 minutes of "DFTL" once you subtract commercial time), here is my live blogging of the heavenly occasion.

I missed the first 10 minutes of the episode, but tuned in just in time to see Bret, sporting his favorite rainbow bandana over those luscious locks, belting out some Tom Jones. But wait, why is Wayne Brady singing along with him? Ohhh, that's right. He can't remember that this show is supposed to be about other people...

9:14 - Bret launches into some warm, fuzzy moment about how even after all these years, he is still passionate about what he does. He wants to get some money for kids at St. Jude's. This is a great opportunity. And he aptly selects the "Inspirational Song" category.

9:15 - The screen reveals a battle of titans: Bette v. Barry, and Bret goes with Mr. Manilow. I'd much rather see Bret sing "Copacabana," but hey, can't have it all. He instead croons "Looks like We Made It," and the pathetic women in the audience go nuts when he sings, "I touched you." I shouldn't make fun of them; I'd be doing the same thing.

9:17 - Bret reveals that he has spent months in a tour bus listening to Barry Manilow and Metallica. I think he's kidding...but Barry must be honored.

9:23 - In the "Southern Rock"category, Bret sings some ZZ Top, and those dance moves...a bit awkward, Bret. I hope he moves better than that in the bedroom...for Ambre's sake, of course.

9:25 - Oh hey, another overly dramatic buildup to revealing the correct lyrics--and another commercial, shocking. This is almost as bad as American Idol.

9:29 - In order to reveal the correct lyrics to the ZZ Top song, Wayne directs Bret to sing the last few lines acappella style, baby. But Wayne decides to showboat a little more by unnecessarily harmonizing. Bret succeeds and adds, "Good vibes." Yes, Bret, good vibes indeed.

9:31 - So when the producers think "Rock," they think Meatloaf "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" and "Hit Me With Your Best Shot"?? Bret chooses Pat Benetar, but all I can think of is how terrible I am at Guitar Hero.

9:32 - Bret takes one of his lifelines and brings his solo bandmate, Steve, onstage. But not before introducing his other lifeline, long-legged Leah. "We are...old friends," he says, adding in a completely obvious throat clear. Aaaand now he's describing their friendship as a spiritual, romantic relationship that began one night behind his tour bus. Oh. This is awkward.

9:35 - I wonder if everyone (or maybe I should say, 'anyone') in America is loving this is as much as I am.

9:37 - Bret is wondering if he should go with his gut feeling: "I dont want to blow it all right now because I feel good" - oh Bret, talk dirt to me, haaaa. Get it? Get it??

9:42 - Extremely long pause to reveal the fate of the Pat Benetar song...aaand they're right. $100,000. Way to go Steve. Now get off the stage.

9:43 - The Who - Baba O'Reily. Yeah, love this song. Ooh, a little air guitar. Hot.

9:44 - Air guitar quickly followed by 8 blank spaces and some awkward dead air. "Don't cry. Don't raise your eye," it's only $200,000 for sick children, Bret.

9:48 - Surprise, another commercial. It's getting too close to the end of the show. There's no way he's gonna get this.

9:52 - "I'm here for all the right reasons," Bret says. Is that a veiled shot at some of the girls from "Rock of Love"?

9:53 - WOW, he got it. Moving on to the "Hair Band" category... Nine missing words for Quiet Riot's "Come On Feel the Noise." Does anyone else remember when this song was in Ore-Ida french fry commercial?

9:54 - So, Wayne Brady--seriously, can you stop singing along? He's harmonizing and it's clearly not working. And completely throwing Bret off his game.


9:55 - Can we say anticlimactic? Bret doesn't even venture a guess at the blank spots and cashes out at $200,000--split between Juvenile Diabetes Fund and St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Whatta guy. 9:56 - Wayne calls Bret's friends back on stage, and Bret clearly pushes Steve out of the way to put his arm around Leah. Shafted. Watch out, Ambre.

9:57 - Oh, by the way, let's reveals the lyrics that no one in the venue knew. At least Kevin DuBrow isn't alive for this...? No? Too soon? Okay, sorry.

9:58 - On a happier note, Bret's going to debut a song from his solo album? I am so totally running to iTunes when this is over to download it. Yeah, I'm a huge sucker.

9:58:30 - Oh God, I ALREADY OWN IT. ahahahaha <---that was my completely genuine reaction, btw.