New England Patriots (+1.5) @ New Orleans Saints
Over / Under 56.5

This should be an absolute cracker of a game that showcases some of the NFLs best talent and definetly merits it’s slot on Monday Night Football! From a gambling point of view, I am approaching this one in a similar way way that I might approach a Man Utd v’s Chelsea or a Barcelona v’s Real Madrid match- ie. I look forward to watching it, will most probably be very well entertained by it, but most importantly- shouldn’t bet on it! (but I obviously will- ‘it matters more when there’s money on it…….’

Both of these teams are offensive touchdown machines, are well coached and seldom fail to entertain. The stats are well documented, but one that concerns me (superbowls aside) is Tom Bradys record on the big stage, especially on Monday Night Football. I am also mildly concerned about the potential for lack of production that comes out of the Patriots running game.

That said, Mr Brady and co. will be hungry for a win after a sore loss to Indy. But I really like New Engaland because I think that they are really beginning to build momentum at the perfect time in order to put together a run deep into the playoffs. Post season bound New Orleans on the other hand, I see slowly starting to loose a bit of the wind that was in their sails earlier in the season.

This is going to (hopefully) be a shootout! I don’t think I’ll be puting the weeks wages on it, but:

My Tip: New England Patriots @11/10 (money line)

Dimanche soir, pour finir ce long week-end de Thanksgiving en beauté, BET et Centric (nouvelle chaîne, fusion de VH1 Soul et BET J) ont diffusé les Soul Train Music Awards 2009 (un nom bien long et pompeux comme on les aime). Nous, ça nous parle pas des masses parce qu’en France, j’ai pas le souvenir d’avoir grandi avec “Soul Train” sur mon petit écran. Pourtant aux US c’était THE show. Un condensé de musique live, d’interview et de danse kitchissime qui a fait le plaisir des Afro-américains et des fans de soul pendant 35 ans. Les Awards 2009 sont donc de retour, après une pause depuis 2007. Centric, “the brand new network” essaie clairement de s’approprier l’image du programme. J’trouve ça un brin dommage parce que c’est vraiment old school. Ça sent les pattes d’ef’, le défrisant et l’antimite. Mais bon, c’est leur problème. Et le line up du show pour une fois faisait un peu envie : Erykah Badu, Robin Thicke, Ryan Leslie, Raheem DeVaughn, Chrisette Michele, Mario, Ginuwine… Tout ce que j’aime quoi. Aller hop, impressions !

Ils m’ont bien eu avec leurs awards. La station à côté de chez moi (Atlantic Av ndlr) a été pimpée “Soul Train Awards” à fond pendant 2 mois. En y passant tous les jours, je savais par cœur la date du show, le nom des nominés et des guests. Donc hier soir, en grosse victime de ce matraquage publicitaire, j’ai regardé les Soul Train Music Awards, ainsi que toutes les pubs qui allaient avec. Depuis, je sais que Beyoncé a un DVD qui vient de sortir, que les Boyz II Men, Ryan Leslie, Chrisette Michele et tous les artistes de la soirée ont des albums out et que leurs labels ont signé de jolis chèques pour l’achat d’espace pub sur Centric. Ahhh l’Amérique ! Pour en revenir aux awards, faut savoir que l’émission “Soul Train” était une institution aux States pour la communauté afro-américaine de 1971 à 2006. L’équivalent soulful de notre “Chance aux Chansons” quoi ! D’ailleurs quand tu verras l’extrait de la fameuse Soul Train Line en dessous, tu reconnaîtras le style supra kitch du show. Si tu souris pas en le regardant, c’est que t’es vraiment pas drôle. Bref.

Comme tu le sais, j’aime bien commenter ces shows cainri. (Souviens toi de mon post sur la nullité des derniers BET Awards ou sur les Vidéo Music Awards et l’interruption historique de Kanye face à Taylor.) Seulement pour les Soul Train Awards, c’était pas en direct, donc y’avait que du politiquement correcte. Zut. En plus, dans la soul, y’a plus de grande star donc ça pouvait pas vraiment partir en cacahuète… J’ai du mal à voir Ryan Leslie interrompre Mélanie Fiona pour lui voler la vedette. Parce que c’est pas des vedettes ! Ces awards ont finalement été une  petite vitrine pour des artistes underground, car qui dit “soul”, dit “vend pas d’disques” (bah oui, désolée, c’est la réalité. A part Maxwell cette année…vas-y, cherches !). Mais le hic, c’est que les gagnants n’étaient pas cohérents avec le ton de la soirée. Comment ça Beyoncé, (qui n’était pas là) elle est nominée dans ce truc ? La meuf met tous les efforts de la terre pour s’éloigner du RnB, elle fait de la pop, son père le revendique haut et fort. Et elle se retrouve quand même à remporter l’award de l’artiste féminine, l’album et la chanson de l’année. C’est une blague ? Keri Hilson, qui n’est pas super soul non plus mais plutôt RnB-pop a elle, remporté deux prix, révélation et collaboration de l’année. J’ai adoré ses remerciements spontanés…qu’elle faisait en lisant son BlackBerry. Non vraiment les gagnants collaient pas ! Toute la soirée, on a eu des Chico DeBarge, Ginuwine, Hal Linton, Melanie Fiona, Toni Braxton, Angie Stone, Fantasia, Boyz II Men et tout. Et c’est les meufs les plus mainstream qui remportent le tout. Ah lala, politique quand tu nous tiens. (je me comprends…)

A part ça, Maxwell a remporté l’award du meilleur artiste masculin et ça va de soit car il EST le meilleur, Charlie Wilson et Chaka Khan ont été honorés, Ginuwine n’avait pas de voix, Ryan Leslie bougeait pas sur scène et quand il l’a réalisé, il s’est mis à gigotter dans tous les sens les 30 dernières secondes de sa chanson. Pas une bonne idée Ryan. Keri Hilson avait l’air bien seule au monde avec ses trois danseuses sur l’immense plateau, Mario a chanté “Break Up“ sans Gucci Mane, parce qu’il est en prison, Toni Braxton a embrassé à pleine bouche (refaite) Trey Songz pendant leur duo “Yesterday“, Melanie Fiona portait des talons si hauts que si elle en tombait, elle se cassait les deux jambes, Estelle avait du mal à respirer parce que sa chemise était boutonnée jusqu’en haut, ça lui faisait un bourrelet au cou. Chrisette Michele a fait du sur place pendant son “Blame It On Me” sans bouger ses pieds d’un centimètre, mais elle a beaucoup bougé les mains pour compenser, Robin Thicke était, comme à son habitude, le seul Blanc de la soirée et Angie Stone avait une tenue supra moulante qui lui allait pas très bien. Quant à Bootsy Collins, he got the funk, mais ses dents…elles sont what the fuck. Ne pas sourire Bootsy, ne pas sourire !

Voilà ce qu’il fallait retenir de ces awards. J’imagine que vous allez être assaillit de vidéos dès aujourd’hui lundi. Ah bah non j’suis bête, on parle de soul music. Malheureusement, ça va sûrement passer à la trappe, un peu comme les albums de tous les artistes talentueux présents lors de cette soirée… Dommage. Allez ! Pour reprendre la phrase de fin de générique de Soul Train I wish you love, peace… and SOUL!

[La mythique Soul Train Line (Ahhhhaaaahhhhhaa -je ris fort-)]

Yesterday four policemen were killed in a Seattle suburb. The alleged killer seemingly was targeting police because no one else in the restaurant was hurt. The person of interest is Maurice Clemmons. “In 1989, Clemmons, then 17, was convicted in Little Rock for aggravated robbery. He was paroled in 2000 after then-Gov. Mike Huckabee commuted Clemmons’ 95-year prison sentence. Huckabee, who was criticized during his run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 for the number of clemencies and commutations he granted, cited Clemmons’ age at the time of the crime was committed.”* Huckabee has released the following statement in reference to Clemmons “Should [Clemmons] be found to be responsible for this horrible tragedy, it will be the result of a series of failures in the criminal justice system in both Arkansas and Washington State. He was recommended for and received a commutation of his original sentence from 1990, making him parole eligible and was paroled by the parole board once they determined he met the conditions at that time. He was arrested later for parole violation and taken back to prison to serve his full term, but prosecutors dropped the charges that would have held him… Our thoughts and prayers are and should be with the families of those honorable, brave, and heroic police officers.”* First let me say the actions of the alleged gunman are his fault and his fault alone, but it will be interesting to see how this handled. This is reminiscent of the Willie Horton incident that the Republican Party used to smear the reputation of the 1988 presidential candidate Mike Dukakis. Horton was serving a life sentence and was granted a weekend furlough. While on the furlough Horton committed armed robbery and rape. This incident was used to establish the premise that Dukakis was soft on crime. The ads developed were ominous and racist and sadly successful. So as a Republican how will Huckabee handle this potential hot potato? It’s not his fault, but the truth never stands in the way of an effective political strategy.  *Huffington Post

Black people like fried chicken

Its True.

1 de diciembre 2009

Se cumplen 27 años de la publicación del disco Thriller, el LP más vendido de la historia de la música.

31 de enero 2010

La 52 edición de los Premios Grammy tendrá lugar en Staples Center de Los Ángeles

Febrero 2010

Sale a la venta el DVD de la película This Is It, un recopilatorio de los últimos ensayos del Rey del Pop.

Junio 2010

Una nueva edición, como cada año, de los Premios musicales BET

Noviembre 2010

Tendrán lugar los Premios de la música MTV 

Strikeforce light weight champion, Josh “The Punk” Thomson came out to support the KNOXX party

DJ AJAX

Fighters get down too!!

Import model and Go Go dancer, Jeri Lee

There are not too many rappers that step up and take responsibility. As much as Jay-Z gives back to his community and as much as he hangs out with Hollywood’s elite, he has never admitted to being a part of the problem that hip hop music brings. Master P, like Jay-Z, rapped the violent lyrics that led to many black youth getting into trouble.

Unlike Jay-Z, Master P changed his rap style, becoming a clean rapper. That is when he chooses to rap. It is more likely to find P. Miller speaking at a business seminar, or being back in his old neighborhood. He admitted that he was once a part of the problem, but he said that he has used his money to give back and he has changed.

Looking at the programming of BET, Miller saw that there was stuff up there that was not PG. He feels that the black community needs a television network that they can be proud of. Since BET is not going to change, he took it upon himself to start his own television network. In 2008, he announced a new network, Better Black Television.

Aside from the television network, P. Miller also runs a film studio. The studio creates family oriented movies targeted to the black audience. Some adult themes are implied, but the films are something that an entire family can watch together. Out of nowhere, Miller has gone from being a gangsta rapper to being a positive family man that promotes the black family.

Currently, he has a show on VH1 called “No Excuses… with Master P.”

Zaragoza – Osasuna
2009. november 29. @ 17:00

Tipp: Hazai
Odds: 2,08
Iroda: Tippmix

A Marcelinho García mester irányította élvonalba visszakerülő csapat, ahogy az lenni szokott hazai pályán masszív játékot mutatnak be és nem mellesleg eredményeset is. 5 hazai bajnokijából 3at megnyertek, mindössze egy vereségük van. A fontosabb emberek, mint Aguilar, Ayala, Pablo Amo, Ewerthon vagy mondjuk Pennant most is ott vannak a keretben. A túloldalon pamplonai részről már nem ennyire rózsás a helyzet. Camacho mester több alapemberére sem számíthat, köztük sérülés miatt nincs a keretben Monreal, Delporte és Portillo, eltiltás miatt pedig újabb 3 futballista hiányzik méghozzá Miguel Flaño, Puñal és Pandiani. Utóbbi játékos hiányozhat talán legjobban a gépezetből, hisz az idegenben lőtt 5 gólból 3at Pandiani vállalt, kérdés ennyi hiányzóval mire mennek majd a vendégek az otthon mindig jóformát mutató Zaragoza ellen.

Tipp: 2-1
Végeredmény: 0-1

Zenit – Spartak Moskva
2009. november 29. @ 12:00

Tipp: Hazai
Odds: 1,65
Iroda: Tippmix

A bajnok kiléte az előző fordulóban már megvolt, a Kazan megvédte címét. A Spartak már biztos ezüstérmes, így számukra teljesen tétnélküli lesz ez a mai utolsó forduló. Már az előző 2 bajnokijukat sem vették túl komolyan ki is kaptak mindkét meccsen. A hazaiak a 3.helyen állnak a tabellán, ami még éppen BL indulást jelentene számukra, azonban pontegyenlőséggel ott van mögöttük a Lokomotív csapata, aki ma szinte 100%-ra vehetően begyűjti a 3 pontot, így a Zenitnek sem lehet más választása, mint odahaza legyűrjék a motiválatlanul pályára lépő Moszkvaiakat. Hazai pályán idén amúgyis jól ment a Zenitnek, most pedig az utolsó egyben legfontosabb meccsükre készülnek. Esetleg még egy kis csúszópénzt sem tartok lehetetlennek.

Tipp: 2-0
Végeredmény: 2-1

A sexy new music video from Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.

The song is called ‘Video Phone’.

I love how provocative the outfits are….this is Beyoncé on fire…and we already know Lady Gaga likes to literally set the stage on fire.

Many are picking this one as the top ATS bet of the week, and I am tentatively agreeing with the consensus of opinion on this one. Whilst there’s always something to fear in a wounded beast (which is a nice way of describing the bills this season!), Miami should have too much for Buffalo in this one.

Chad Henne may be a question mark for the Fins- but lets face it- the entire Miami recieving core is one big Question mark. Plus, i’m not so sure that it will even matter because I predict Ricky Williams to go nuts against this below average Bills rush defence. Miami are 4th in the league in rushing offence & Buffalo are the second worse franchise against the rush- so the fact that they are top 10 against the pass isn’t a stat that particularly worries me.

My tip: Miami Dolphins -3.5

Party Crashers Michaele And Tareq Salahi Shakes Hands With President Obama

Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan is in the hot seat. As he should be. How could two complete strangers infiltrate a state event without the batting of an eyelash? Tareq and Michaele Salahi breezed into the state dinner given in the honor of the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, sat in the company of world leaders and dignitaries, cheesed it up with Vice President Biden and greeted President Barack Obama with a hand-shake.

As part of a publicity stunt to impress the top brass at the BRAVO media network, Michaele Tareq pulled out all the stops to land a role on the yet to be cast reality series “THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF D.C.” To get the nod, Michaele decided that she would take matters into her own hands: crash the ultimate high society party to appear as if she, and husband Tareq, are influential movers and shakers with big connects.

Turns out that the only thing Michaele and Tareq Salahi have succeeded in doing is creating a world-wind of controversy and immense concern as to the safety of President Obama. A lawyer for the Salahis  stated that the pair were invited to the affair, contrary to what the guest list showed, and will grant interviews to the media next week.

Amid the backlash regarding the apparent breach in security surrounding the President and the First Lady, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan issued the following statement:

November 27, 2009MEDIA ADVISORY

STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR MARK SULLIVAN

(Washington, D.C.) – On Friday, November 27, 2009, United States Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan issued the following statement:

“The Secret Service is deeply concerned and embarrassed by the circumstances surrounding the State Dinner on Tuesday, November 24.

The preliminary findings of our internal investigation have determined established protocols were not followed at an initial checkpoint, verifying that two individuals were on the guest list.

Although these individuals went through magnetometers and other levels of screening, they should have been prohibited from entering the event entirely. That failing is ours.

The Secret Service safely processed more than 1.2 million visitors last year to the White House complex. In the last several years, the agency has successfully protected more than 10,000 sites for the President, Vice President and other Secret Service protectees, screening more than 7 million people through magnetometers at campaign related events, with more than 1 million during the Inauguration alone.

Even with these successes, we need to be right 100% of the time. While we have protocols in place to address these situations, we must ensure that they are followed each and every time.

As our investigation continues, appropriate measures have been taken to ensure this is not repeated.

The men and women of the U.S. Secret Service are committed to providing the highest level of security for those we are charged to protect, and we will do whatever is necessary to accomplish this mission.”

According to varied reports, the Salahis manuevered and manipulated their way through several layers of Secret Service constructed security. Obviously, somewhere down the line, the Secret Service dropped the ball. The real question, the burning question is: Where did the breach in security actually occur? According to the Salahis’ attorney, Michaele and Tareq were invited and on the list. Somewhere between two check points, a Secret Service agent (s) either perused the guest list, saw their name and granted them passage, or did not see the Salahis listed and granted them access solely based on their appearances.

However, the unnerving aspect of the entire episode is simply that President Obama’s top security was breached. This is entirely unacceptable. The President is not safe. If two aspiring cuckoos looking to make it big on a ‘reality show’ can crash a state dinner held at the White House, where one would definitely expect the Secret Service to be lurking in every crevice and crack, and actually shake the Commander in Chief’s hand, what does this really mean? What kind of message is being sent?

This is the second security breach under the watch of Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan. The first? That shoe throwing incident in Iraq involving an irate Iraqi journalist and President George W. Bush. But who knew someone would take off their shoes and throw them at the President of the United States?

But, also lets not forget the health care reform town hall meetings. Remember all of those ridiculous gun-toting fanatics that the Secret Service allowed to just hang around outside the places where President Obama was speaking? There was one particular man that carried what appeared to be an assault weapon. Why weren’t these folks picked up and hauled off to jail by the Secret Service? Obviously, they posed a real threat to the President.

Michaele and Tariq Salahi have earned their fifteen minutes of fame. In the quest for television notoriety, their greed, phoniness, selfishness, and sheer vanity laid bare a serious security sink hole that needs to be addressed when it comes to the protection of the President and the First Family. Rep. Edolphus Town, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee commented Friday that “the incident compromised the safety and security of the President and undermined our confidence in the protection we expect of the Secret Service.”

Rep. Town wants the House of Representatives to investigate the state dinner security breach. Yet, before the investigation even begins, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan should fire the Secret Service agents responsible for the so-called clearance of the Salahis, and then tenure his resignation.

Sources report that federal charges are coming down the pipe, too! I respectfully ask Michaele and Tariq Salahi: Was it worth it?

Hope it was.

Indianapolis Colts -3.5 @ Houston Texans

I Really like the look of the Colts in this one, but I can’t stop the little voice in my head telling me to tread carefully….. They have been outstanding all season, but have found it tough on the road at time against teams who are in the class of the unpredictable Texans. In Miami they found a similar test, only coming out as eventual victors in a exciting nail biter!

The reverse fixture, that took place in Indianapolis 3 weeks ago, ended in a 20-17 colt victory in which Kris Brown missed a field goal as time run out in the fourth quarter.

The colts rank 1st overall in pass offence, but a poor 31st over in the league in rushing. On the defensive side of the ball, they rank 1st in fewest points allowed. On paper, this match-up should suit them, and they shouldn’t have too much problem moving the ball on the ground against the Texans defence which is ranked 30th against the rush. And with Peyton Manning steering the ship, I’m never worried about their passing game!

Statistics also favour the colts who have a 14-1 record against the texans in recent times.

The over / under is set about right at 47.5, but if I was force to pick either way, i’d take the under- but I wouldn’t feel great about it!

I’m Backing Indy to win this one and extend their unbeaten record to 11-0, and leaving the texans stuck at 5-6!

LOCKitIN bet: Colts -3.5

Sporting Gijon – Villarreal

Tipp: Vendég
Odds: 2,49
Iroda: Tippmix

A szezon előtt nemigazán lehetett volna ezt a tippet meglepetés tippnek hívni, most azonban mégis ez a helyzet. Lévén a Gijon odahaza idén még veretlen és a megszerezhető 15 pontból 11 pontot gyűjtöttek, és többek között a Real Madrid is csak 1 ponttal távozott. A Villarrealtól nem szoktuk meg ezt a förtelmes szezonkezdetet, azonabn az utóbbi időben kezdenek a helyes útra találni, és egyre magasabbra tör a tengeralattjáró. Igaz egyelőre idegenben még hiányzik a győzelem, de ami késik nem múlik. Már Sevillában is közel jártak, végül 0 ponttal távoztak, de a 2 rugott góljukból erőt meríthetnek. Komoly hiányzó csak Cazorla lesz, a bombaformában lévő Nilmar pedig ott lesz vélhetőleg a kezdőben.

Tipp: 1-3
Végeredmény: 1-0

BET finally has a primetime drama to fill out its schedule a bit. Going away from the typical BET-type of programming, the network acquired the syndication rights to the former CBS drama, “The Unit.” The series aired on CBS, starting in 2006, until its cancellation in 2009.

The series stars Dennis Haysbert, the Allstate guy. The series centers around a top-secret military unit modeled after the Special Forces Operational Detachment, also known as the Delta Force. For the most part, “The Unit” centers on the activity of Haysbert’s character of Sergeant Major** Jonas Blane.

Never in the history of BET have they aired such a series. Showing that they are willing to change, they do now. Ever since November 19, BET has been airing the former CBS drama. “The Unit” airs weeknights on BET at 8:00 pm.

Mönchengladbach – Schalke

Tipp: Vendég
Odds: 2,18
Iroda: Tippmix

Schalke győzelmet várok. Hogy miért? Egyrészt a Borussia otthon elég hullámzó teljesítményt mutat, ráadásul legutóbbi 3 hazai bajnokiján mégcsak gólt sem bírtak szerezni. Ezzel szemben a Magath irányította Schalke a Bundesliga egyik legjobb idegenbeli csapata, 4 győzelem mellett 2 döntetlen a csapat neve mellett. Mégcsak gólt is alig kapnak távol a hazai pályától, elképzelhetetlennek tartom, hogy most indul majd be a ‘Gladbachi gólgyártás.

Tipp: 0-2
Végeredmény: 1-0