Stand-up Christian Finnegan casts his spell on NYC tonight and Saturday headlining at Comix

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

[TOP PICK] 6:00 pm ($5): Adam Lustick and Billy Scafuri are stellar members of world-class sketch troupeThe Harvard Sailing Team; and they’ve now branched out to form comedic rap group Snakes, along with unforgetable singer Chloé Weppe…who all won the 2010 ECNY Award for Best Musical Group! Check out their debut album, which can be downloaded from BillyandAdam.com, and then join them and their delightfully unusual guests at Snakes: FutureSex/LoveSnakes

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): In this fun show, 16 musical performers turn an audience member’s suggestion into two musical fairy tales that tell what happened from the viewpoint of first the hero and then the villain, with “all the music and magic of a Disney flick…plus the darkness of the Brothers Grimm:” Once Upon a Time

7:00 pm ($10): Sketch troupe Gentlemen Caller (Emily Altman, Aaron Burdette, Kathy Salerno, and Evan Thompson) spoofs Dianetics and more in Diabetics

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Kate Flannery (cast member of NBC’s The Office) and Scot Robinson “drag you down to the sleaziest lounge in town” in their sketch show The Lampshades

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 7:30 pm: Sharp stand-up from Colin Jost (writer for Saturday Night Live), Mark Normand (co-host of We’re All Friends Here), Rob O’Reilly (Comedy Central), and “special celebrity guest The Human Centipede;” sketch comedy from Roger Hailes, just-engaged Sean Donnelly, and Steve Bossous; musical group Fortress of Attitude; with hosts Pat Stango & birthday boy Blaine Perry, all at Karma Lounge for this endearingly oddball monthly comedy show: Don’t Touch Me There: Blaine’s Birthday Edition

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($28.04 online if you use code VIPJUNE, plus 2-item minimum): A stand-up who’s performed three Comedy Central specials, is a commentator on MNBC’s Countdown with Keith Oberman and VH1′s Best Week Ever, and has appeared onChappelle’s Show and The Today Show, headlining through Saturday at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Christian Finnegan

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Killer lineup consisting of Adira Amram (fresh, sexy, hilarious rising star singer/songwriter), Sean Patton (red-hot rising star stand-up; killer set on Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, VH1), Dan St. Germain (quick-witted, way funny stand-up), Joe List (Comedy Central), Ben Kronberg (Jimmy KImmel), and Greg Stone performing at Brooklyn’s Coco 66 for hosts Nick Turner’s & Neal Stasny’s Too Cool for School

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): A groundbreaking and surreal improv/sketch troupe performing with new guests each Friday and making a valid complaint: Centralia: We Were Supposed To Have Flying Cars By Now

[FREE] 8:00: A stand-up showcase at O’Hanlon’s (14th Street off 1st Avenue) hosted by Matt Ruby: Hot Soup

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers

9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): NYC stand-ups performing in Ochi’s Lounge at a gay-themed show hosted by Paul Case: The Back Room

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): Always fresh and imaginative world-class sketch troupe that uses song, movement, and clever scenarios to turn familiar rituals on their head (for a video about awkward goodbyes at the end of a party, please click here): The Harvard Sailing Team

10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): In this new show, Thomas Middleditch, Jonathan Gabrus, Sue Galloway, and other superb improvisors make up scenes about an audience member’s legal dispute at The Law Firm: Law & Disorder

[TOP PICK] 11:30 pm ($5): Dru Johnston, Noah Forman, and Alex Demers springboard off an audience suggestion to improvise an entire silly and energy-charged play in 40 minutes; especially keep an eye on Demers, who has a wild Sean Penn quality that makes you think he might explode into violence or insanity at any moment, adding to the edgy quality of The New Deal

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): “Jon Gabrus is a rugby player from Long Island who loves to drink, which is the perfect trifecta for getting into ridiculous and dangerous situations. Come drink along with Gabrus as he shares some of his beer-soaked tales, like the time he ate a dead snake, or cooked a fork on a barbecue and branded himself…twice. There will plenty of drinking games, lots of audience participation, and an appalling lack of shame. His bartender, special guests, and his lack of self-control will join forces to create a night Jon probably won’t remember:” Blackout Drunk

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

For those out there looking to find the perfect fill for that LOST-shaped void in your life, TBS’s new show Are We There Yet? might be the answer.

From Executive Producer Ice Cube, the new series is a spin-off of sorts from the successful 2005 family comedy motion picture of the same name. One of the stars of the new program is Comic Strip Live! favorite Christian Finnegan.

A long time friend of the club, Finnegan is perhaps best known for his appearances on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann, as “Chad” in “The Mad Real World” sketch on Comedy Central’s Chappelle’s Show and as a talking head like no other on VH1′s Best Week Ever.  He has also appeared on CBS’ The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, NBC’s Today Show and in 2009 unveiled his one hour special Au Contraire!, which was released through Warner Bros. Records.

An audience favorite, Christian is a regular the Strip. To find out when you can catch him next, keep an eye on our schedule.

Q: What finale are you most looking forward to this Spring?

A:

Vic Henley

Glee

Pat Dixon

The Simpsons

Jermaine Fowler

SNL (even though he didn’t know it was last night…)

Bernadette Pauley

Real Housewives of New York (but it would be Dexter or something else less embarrassing during non-network Sweeps.  Promise.)

Lenny Marcus

Chuck

Buddy Bolton

Whale Wars

Warren Holstein

LOST (but he hopes it doesn’t jump the shark in the finale like Battlestar Galactica. And then he said, “I’m a nerd.”)

Christian Finnegan

Treme

Teddy Smith

Not a TV watcher, (against my best advice)

Ryan Reiss

Knotts Landing

Best of luck to you and your stories as the networks wrap up for summer vacation. In the meantime, come into the Club for some top-notch entertainment.

Luminous comedy couple Christian Finnegan and Kambri Crews perform tonight at Tell Your Friends

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

6:30 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): The perfect show for short attention spans—open-mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours—at John Morrison’s Ochi’s Motel

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:00 pm ($18): One of the highlights of FringeNYC 2008 was Allen Warnock and Andrea Alton (members of sketch troupe Freedumb) teaming up to create hilarious characters in a very silly and fun show—for my review, please click here. The production has now been revived for a commercial run through February 28th: Carl & Shelly: Best Friends Forever

[FREE] 7:30 pm: NYC stand-ups Victor Varnado (Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central, NBC’s My Name is Earl, Adult Swim; films Pluto Nash, End of Days, A Guy Thing, The Awkward Kings of Comedy), Jude Destin, Jamie Roberts, Kevin Barnett, and Chris Sifflet performing at a free weekly show in the Manchester Pub hosted by Phoebe Robinson: Case of the Mondays Comedy

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Christian Finnegan (three Comedy Central specials, commentator on MNBC’s Countdown with Keith Oberman and VH1′s Best Week Ever; Chappelle’s Show, The Today Show, star of new TV series on TBS), Kambri Crews (stellar storyteller & author of upcoming memoir Love, Daddy), Caroline Rhea (star stand-up; HBO, Sabrina the Teenage Witch), Costaki Economopoulos, Amanda Melson, Bob Powers, and musical guests Eliana Ricci and A Brief View of the Hudson, all performing in the Lolita Bar with host Liam McEneaney at Tell Your Friends

8:00 pm ($5): Two of UCBT’s house sketch comedy troupes, High Treason and Slow Burn, trying out new bits at Maude Night

[TOP PICK] [DISCOUNTED] 8:30 pm ($5 cover if you mention HyReviews.com [otherwise $10], plus $7 drink minimum; call 212.989.9319 to reserve seats): Stellar stand-ups A. Whitney Brown (Emmy-award winning writer and political satirist; Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show), Rachel Feinstein (Comedy Central, VH1, CNN, Court TV, written for The Onion and Heeb Magazine, opens for Sarah Silverman on tour), Ross Bennett (Comedy Central, Showtime), Robin Fox (WE TV, XM and Sirius Radio), Mike Diflo, David Cope, and Owen Bowness performing at the Cornelia Street Cafe for John Morrison’s Morrison Motel

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Wonderful comics Chris Gethard, Julie Klausner, Ben Rameaka, Jim Santangeli, Tami Sagher, and Kate Spencer tell tales of heartbreak at the post-Valentine show Love Stinks!

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Some of the finest comics in the country—tonight including Todd Barry (David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central Presents, HBO’s Flight of the Conchords, Adult Swim, The Wrestler), Kurt Braunohler (brilliant sketch comic; co-creator & co-star of TV series Penelope: Princess of Pets), Brent James Sullivan, and Adam Cayton-Holland—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, Conan O’Brien, HBO, Comedy Central) at Whiplash

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Christian Finnegan, Sherrod Small and Chuck Nice will all take the stage during our 8 o’clock show and Sherrod and Chuck will make return appearances during our 10:30 comedy show.  Also, during our 12:30 show, Best Week Ever alum Mike Britt will host! So all in all, it is a fantastic night to kick back and take in all three shows at the World Famous Comic Strip!

Christian Finnegan!

Sherrod Small!

Chuck Nice!

And to find out when Christian, Sherrod, Chuck, Mike and many, many of your other favorite comedians will be on stage at the Comic Strip, be sure to check out our schedule.

See you tonight!

It’s a two-parter with guest Christian Finnegan.  I waited to post them together because the new season of LOST has reminded how much I hate cliffhangers.

Christian is a staple on Comedy Central, VH1, and at the World Famous Comic Strip Live.  You should check out his recent DVD, Au Contraire, and our schedule to find out the next time he’ll be on stage at the Comic Strip.

To listen both parts of the podcast, click below.

PART ONE |  PART TWO

To subscribe to the In the Tank podcast, click this icon:

Enjoy!

Want to find out when you favorite stand up comedians are going to be coming by the Comic Strip in February?

Tired of having to call every afternoon at 2pm to bug Tommy about who is on the show that night?  Then check out the newly updated CALENDAR page!

The month of February, thought by some to be the BEST month to watch stand up comedy in New York City, is chock full of amazing, nationally headlining talent.

Comics who have appeared on HBO, Comedy Central, “The Tonight Show”, “The Late Show” and more including Gary Gulman, Rich Vos, Andrew Kennedy, Gregg Rogell, Chuck Nice, Rob Cantrell, Teddy Smith, Pete Dominick, Paul Mecurio, Christian Finnegan, Andy Pitz, Sherrod Small, Mike Britt, Pete Correale, Jeff Caldwell, Steve White, Dan Naturman, Ross Bennett, Joe Bolster, Cory Kahaney and many, MANY more nationally headlining acts will grace our stage during the month of February!

Come by and see what all the fuss is about! Enjoy a night at the Comic Strip Live!

Some how, some way, Christian Finnegan has managed to scrape out a unique identity for himself as a stand-up comedian.

He’s the guy who, on first glance, you think maybe he’s gay. But he’s not. Ask him about his father-in-law, if you have any doubt.

AUDIO EXCERPT: “I tried to hold off on Twitter as long as I could. I tried to stay strong against the tide of history… It may not be worth doing a whole stand-up bit about, but if you have a funny thought about salt shakers, you can throw it out into the ether.”

And maybe, you think, he’s too smart to be a comedian. But he’s not. Actually, he is pretty smart, so that one could go either way.

He’s smart, he’s topical, and he’s not afraid to let a fart joke fly.

If you’re wondering from where you recognized his wit and clean good looks, think back to VH1’s “Best Week Ever, Comedy Central’s “Chapelle Show” or, more recently “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” on MSNBC.

Finnegan just released a pretty damn funny DVD of his latest work, entitled “Au Contraire!” You may have already seen a shorter version currently in rotation on Comedy Central.

You can find out when he will be in your town at his website, ChristianFinnegan.com.

You can LISTEN to this interview by clicking HERE!

* * *

Order Christian Finnegan’s DVD, Au Contraire

Related articles by Zemanta

• Christian Finnegan’s Au Contraire! (tvsquad.com)

Q: Who was your first-ever favorite comedian?

A:

Host, Vic Henley

Richard Pryor

Andy Pitz

George Carlin and Rodney Dangerfield

Dustin Ybarra

Pablo Francisco

Christian Finnegan

Steve Martin

Jermaine Fowler

The Animaniacs and Rocco from Rocco’s Modern Life

Jon Fisch

Dennis Wolfberg

Don Jamieson

George Carlin

Ryan Reiss

Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy

Lenny Marcus

Jerry Seinfeld

Come see the long-lasting effects of the great comedians of the past on these great comics of today at 8:00 at the Comic Strip Live!  And stick around for some of tomorrow’s stars with Late Night @ CSL after the show!

Photos posted with permission.

Dave Attell heads an all-star group of hilarious stand-ups tonight at ComedyJuice

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

[FREE] six free hours of improvisation in The PIT’s Super Free Wednesday (6:00 pm-midnight),

[TOP PICK] brilliantly funny character actress Kate McKinnon (co-star of Logo’s Big Gay Sketch Show) debuting her exciting new one-woman show about the entertainment biz (Five women, One f*cked up industry), plus a comedic play with music, dancing, and fisting from Mary Elizabeth Ellis & Artemis Pebdani, in the double-bill Kate McKinnon: Best Actress and Mother May I Dance with Mary Jane’s Fist? (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [$] John Oliver (stand-up comedy genius and star correspondent of The Daily Show), Wyatt Cenac (correspondent for The Daily Show, cast member of upcoming HBO Kanye West show), Pete Holmes (one of the very best stand-ups in the country; warm-up comic for The Daily Show; Comedy Central,VH1′s Best Week Ever, The New Yorker, co-host of hit show Punch Up Your Life), and JR Havlan (five-time Emmy Award-winning staff writer of The Daily Show) performing stand-up with Co-Executive Producer of The Daily Show Rory Albanese at The Daily Show and Friends (8:00 pm),

[FREE] sharp NYC comics Pat O’Shea, Lisa Kaplan, Joe Pontillo, Joel Stice, Mangina, and Lisa Haim at a free weekly show hosted by Sharon “Mama” Spell: Shrink (8:00 pm),

[FREE] Hannibal Burress (Comedy Central, Craig Ferguson, concert film The Awkward Kings of Comedy), Jesse Popp (Comedy Central, Beauty Bar Comedy), Greg Barris (Heart of Darkness, MTV’s All That Rocks), and Bob Powers (author of new humor book The Terrible, Horrible, Temp-to-Perm Debacle) at a free weekly Brooklyn extravaganza hosted tonight by Gabe Liedman and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific (8:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] a show featuring rejected material and the associated tales of woe from top writers and comedic performers—who tonight include Margot Leitman, Will Leitch, Eliot Glazer, and Andy Ross—at Jon Friedman’s The Rejection Show (9:30 pm),

[MEGA-TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] a not-to-be-missed monthly event, this powerhouse showcase for star stand-ups at the elegant Comix Comedy Club tonight features Dave Attell (comedy superstar; Comedy Central’s Insomniac with Dave Attell, Comedy Central Presents; multiple appearances on David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno, Howard Stern, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn), Pete Holmes (one of the very best stand-ups in the country; warm-up comic for The Daily Show; Comedy Central, VH1′s Best Week Ever, The New Yorker, co-host of hit show Punch Up Your Life), Christian Finnegan (three Comedy Central specials, commentator on MNBC’s Countdown with Keith Oberman and VH1′s Best Week Ever; Chappelle’s Show, The Today Show), Godfrey (NBC’s 30 Rock, Comedy Central Presents, VH1; films Zoolander, Original Gangsters, Soul Plane; 7 Up Yours ads), Jay Larson (Comedy Central, Craig Ferguson), and The Greg Wilson (Comics Unleashed): Dave Attell, Pete Holmes, Christian Finnegan, Godfrey, and More at ComedyJuice (10:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE] and a free, laid-back, and occasionally magical variety show where virtually anything can happen on a School Night (11:00).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

I routinely forget the name of anyone who can help my career. And yet, I know Lamar’s rap from “Revenge of the Nerds” in its entirety.

Read Christian’s Twitter feed at @ChristFinnegan

Originally posted on July 2, 2009

Is there anything in this world as repulsive as the naked male body? What the hell is wrong with you, women/gay dudes??

Read Christian’s Twitter feed at @ChristFinnegan

Originally posted on June 29, 2009

broadcast: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 from Tampa

by Olberblogger

Which of these Countdown highlights

will you be OlberBlogging about today?

#5: I Thought I Saw A Puddy Cat

The GOP berates Obama for not adhering to their presidential candidate’s campaign promise when he signed the $410B Omnibus Spending Bill. Seems John McCain vowed, “As president, I‘m going to veto every single spending bill that comes across my desk” containing earmarks. Well, we understand the confusion as the GOP seems to be a figment of its own imagination lately.

Of the 35 senators voting against the package necessary to keep the government running today, 28 (of whom 25 were Republicans) included a total 307 earmarks in the legislation — which means in the GOP Bizzaro World, they voted against their own requests?

Richard Wolffe explained the science fiction:”… it‘s called Sod‘s law—you get blamed for everything that happens whether you are responsible or not. “ 

Ah, so from now on everything is Obama’s fault when it’s not Bill Clinton’s!

The GOP fantasy world played out earlier on Hardball where former Dubya press secretary Ari Fleischer not only glibbed (yes, I just invented a “truthiness” word) “… Barack Obama should be thankful that he‘s inherited a world without Saddam Hussein in it.  …after September 11th, having been being hit once, how could we take a chance that Saddam Hussein might not strike attack again?”  Fleischer also imagined that the Bush Administration turned around the surplus budget Clinton left thus avoiding a possible recession. 

Jonathan Alter assured Keith that the Earth continued to spin correctly on its axis as Fleischer’s delusions only amounted to unemployed Bushies attempts to sanitize the Dubya’s legacy. They need jobs, and Dubya’s library desperately needs funds after the 55 weeks of straight job creation under Bush’s watch.

Alter let slip that respected investigative journalist Sy Hersh is writing a book about secret Cheney’s private assassination squads. Henry Whittington pre-ordered that book on Amazon.

And Tweety, you did a heckuva job. No, you really did!

#4: Spay and Neuter

The Htrae references continued with KO, “In some parallel dimension, President McCain and Speaker Tom DeLay are having a big ‘ole laugh about RNC Chairman Rove‘s brilliant win of those filibuster-proof majorities.”

Seems the GOP Brutus machine is after newly appointed RNC chairman Michael Steele for offering too much hip and not enough hop. GO-peepers scurry behind the scenes to take over and even ex-candidate McCain may “suspend” his senate duties to take up the party mantle as soon as he can count to 10.

Democratic analyst Chris Kofinis talks about how Sod’s Law affects Mike Steele. His suggested that the Repubs get “an ideological vasectomy” to stop reproduction of the likes of Rush, McCain, DeLay, the other Newts in the party.

#3: Factor Science Fiction

Stewie comes to the rescue again as BillO the Clown and Sideshow Bernie continue their wisecracks. Since OlberBlogging discussed this earlier, we won’t elaborate. However, we urge you to revel in KO’s impersonation of the boobs.

#2: Best Worsts

Weather and religion just as government and religion do not mix. I’ve run into several “religious meteorologists” who discount global warming with the same science facts as creationism and, because of their stature, people believe them.

Since Texas remains one of the states that allows bestiality (but not gay marriage), Olberblogger understands Florida State Senator Larcinia Bullard ignorance on “animal husbandry.” While she may realize that humans are indeed members of the great ape family, she isn’t too sure that our species do not mate.

However, I disagree that Bullard should be the Worst Person in the World choice. No, as demonstrated by lightweight Beck, weathermen Delagado and legislator Bullard — the Worst Persons In the World are those who have destroyed science education in this nation!

#1: Family Planning

Louisiana Senator David Vitter tried to hop into a plane a bit too late, remembered what happened to Senate colleague Larry Craig with airport security, and decided to find alternate transportation.

And GOP Convention love birds Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston broke up, leaving Sarah Palin’s daughter one of those unwed moms the GOPers love to hate.

Comedian Christian Finnegan offered a unique take on both items. He suggested that Vitter, of DC madam fame, was in a hurry home to attend a town hall meeting about cute Shar-pei puppies (everyone say “aaah!”).

And he said Bristol and Levi must thank the Democrats (hear that Ari Fleischer!) that McCain-Palin did not get elected considering the extra attention the breakup would have caused then!

Best Oddball:

Someone actually prefers the name “Rupert” to “Keith.”

Best STILL Bushed:

Gitmo Gotcha

Best Quote:

Since the day I began to criticize him, Bill-O‘s ultimate response, his fallback, has been to pull down his zipper and show everybody how much bigger his ratings are than mine.

~~ Keith Olbermann

Best Fashion Statement:

As cute as a Shar-pei puppy:

MaET = 2132 

Broadcast Date: Friday, February 20, 2009

By: Samantha

Which of these Countdown highlights

will you be OlberBlogging about this weekend?

#5: Looney Toons 

 Alan Keyes, Barack Obama’s opponent during his 2004 Senate campaign, revealed that he has been living under a rock for the past two years. While his mention of such passe’ rumors regarding Obama’s citizenship seem laughable, when Keyes calls the Prez a “ radical Communist” who is “going to destroy this country” his comments become serious and of concern. He calls Obama an “usurper” and adds this threat: “we are either going to stop him or America is going to cease to exist,” a possible incitement to the radical fringe. Jonathan Alter tells Keith this shows the desperation to which the right-wing GOP has sunk. Alter says that the GOP “shock troops” are pushing Obama as they did with Clinton from Day One, but find no juicy tidbits to chew on.

Protest against the Looney Toon that was the New York Post’s murder chimp gained momentum with famous film director Spike Lee joining the march outside Murdoch’s headquarters. The Post’s non-apology apology have Michael Wolff and others smacking their head in shock. Now Murdoch has his own Imus problem by making Sharpton a strong spokesperson for the cause. Wolff is amazed much the protest comes inside News Corps. KO (a frequent target) notes “when Page Six takes a moral stance, you know the original issue is a significant one.” 

#4: Talk Globally, Act Locally

After their failed attempt to stop the passage of the $787 billion stimulus plan, some Republican leaders have now switched gears by claiming they will reject aid that is desperately needed by their states. That may have been why President Obama decided to meet directly with 70 mayors on Friday to discuss the package’s benefits and financial responsibility. Richard Wolffe notes these talks give local leaders the information needed to persuade conservative Governors to back any money coming their way.

[OlberBlogging Editor's Note:  Texas Governor Perry is one such GOP governor who's

Galveston-Strand Historical District

 flipped flopped on whether or not he’ll take stim funds. He needs to do so. Texas ranks one of the lowest states for medical coverage of its citizens. New state rules threaten education districts with drastic cuts. Galveston, devastated by Hurricane Ike, desperately needs funds to rebuild its infrastructure and restore its major employer, University of Texas-Medical Branch. The private Shriner’s Children’s Burn Hospital also shut down for lack of funds. If GOP politicos, especially the Gulf Coast Guvs, refuse these funds, their constituents and their party will be seriously hurt.]

#3 Tainted Glove

Just days after his “sincere” public apology for getting caught using steroids, Alex Rodriguez is tangled up in more lies. What he took has been proven through testing; it’s who, when and where that has yet to be fully answered. The where has been disputed by Dr. Pia Veras, a medical professional who says that the drug Boli is not legally obtainable in the Dominican Republic, even as a prescription.  And, the who and when are linked to Alex’s banned personal trainer, Angel Presinal, who has traveled with Alex from 2001 up through the 2007 season.  

Houston Chronicle’s sports columnist Richard Justice blames A-Roid’s arrogance for the altered truths. Justice says the Yankee’s superstar admitted to taking illegal substances then lied about the details. He believes that as long as Alex is willing to work with the MLB’s investigators, Alex may escape a suspension.  This is an outcome that I do not personally agree with, and it’s not because I’m not a Yankee’s fan.  It’s the message that as long as we think you’re too valuable a player to be punished, you won’t be.  

#2 Best Worsts

For Rush Limbaugh, fair and balanced = censorship.  

#1 Alcorexia

Some sobering statistics were released by Nate “Cool Geek” Silver over at fivethirtyeight.com Thursday, detailing the economic decline of my favorite depressant, beer.  Other little luxuries that are dropping include panties (wait a minute…), jewelry, gambling and of all things, Girl Scout cookies (really, what is this country coming to?).  

Alcohol analyst Christian Finnegan explains to Keith how this may not be such a bad thing, citing less drunk haters during his comedy routines and better first impressions during interviews for those looking for work. Also, he doesn’t believe that President Obama is an “always up for a beer” kind of guy. With Barack and Michelle celebrating weekly Hump Day bipartisan cocktails, I think he, like FDR, is doing his best to bring booze back.  

Best Oddball:

Robots throwin’ signs.  

Best Bests:

After a night out, a guy in Alabama woke up with a major party badge.  

Best STILL Bushed:

A little vocabulary lesson for Richard Perle.   Denial, as defined by The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science, is “a mechanism of ego defense in which an individual under threat may, particularly if immature or emotionally disturbed, deny the existence of an object, situation, person, or threat; and  as people mature and form more accurate perceptions of reality, this form of ego defense is less likely to occur.”  

Best Irony:

“It’s time we started acting like grown-ups”

~ Alan Keyes

 

Best White House Pet:

Socks Clinton

1991 – 2009

Socks news conference

OlberBlogging Editor’s Addendum:

Samantha (thanks for the wonderful recap) and others continue to nag me about the birthday gift our OlberBlogging Community sent to Keith for his big Five-O. By now, I know he’s received it, so the surprise factor no longer exists.

We sent Keith a first edition hard back book In Search of Light: The Broadcasts of Edward R. Murrow, 1938-1961.  

The book reads like beautiful, poetic essays, particularly Murrow’s radio broadcasts from London during World War II. Both Murrow’s and Olbermann’s broadcast writings read as brilliantly on the page as they do from a teleprompter. The hard back version no longer is in print, but you may be able to find a paperback copy in bookstores or through Amazon. If  you are curious about Mr. Murrow or just want to read powerful essays that just happen to be broadcast copy, I highly recommend this book, one of my valued favorites. 

You’re welcome, Keith!

MaET = 2113

by Olberblogger

Keith Olbermann gave a shout out to his favorite people, including his catch-all call-out to “YOU” — we voters and viewers who made things great for country and Countdown in 2008.

OlberBlogging reviewed Keith’s favorites lists in our previous post. Now, we add to the discussion with our own “favs” list:

OlberBlogging Countdown Distinguished Dozen of 2008

#12: Pat Buchanan

Our fake Uncle Pat may impel the left progressive Countdown devotees to toke up whenever he appears, but the MSNBC affirmative action neo-conservative explains the Right’s machinations succinctly and honestly. 

He often surprises us as when he pegged Sarah Palin as a serious political gamble for the GOP as well as when he gushed over Barack Obama’s convention acceptance speech. Unlike the blathering Republican androids over at Faux Noise, Uncle Pat rarely raises his voice (okay, sometimes with Rachel) but hanging with “Olbyloons” doesn’t seem to phase him. In fact, he even grooved with the MSNBC Dancing Pundits during the Democratic convention. Pat Buchanan acts just like our grouchy, redneck but cuddle uncle who forces us to drink way too much wine at the holiday table, but we love him anyway.

#11: Maria Milito

Countdown‘s  “American Idol Princess” needs a coronation to the title of “Countdown Culture Queen.”  The Q-104.3 classic rock deejay can become Keith’s version of Rachel’s Kent James Jones, keeping him current on popping culture (although I’m sure KT also fills that role). She also can attract that all-important demographic group as well. Maria is fun, interesting and one of the few female voices now on Countdown. Keep Milito; can Musto!

#10:  Nate Silver 

Nate Silver of the political site fivethirtyeight.com gives math geeks sex appeal. Of course, Countdown‘s favorite political pollster links with baseball statics through his MLB coverage site baseballprospectus.com, perhaps where KO first “discovered him.” Silver invented the PECOTA forecasting system, initially for baseball statistics, but when applied to the 2008 political campaign, put the big syndicates to shame. Now with both the electoral and baseball seasons on break, we hope Countdown can find other ways to utilize our favorite nerd, at least until spring training and fantasy leagues start again.

#9:  Derrick Pitts

Astronomer with the Franklin Institute Science Museum, Derrick Pitts explains the wonders of science to KO and Countdown viewers. Pitts’ laid back style makes rocket science easy for lay folks to understand. Personally, I’m glad Countdown picked Pitts for these segments as few space reporters really know what they are talking about — and that includes astronauts-commentators. Do you think Walter Cronkite and Wally Schirra really knew the intricacies of Apollo 11 moon landing? Hell, Schirra never escaped Earth orbit. Most TV space/science reporters (including some associated with NBC) cannot even ask an intelligent question — with the notable exception of CBS’s Bill Harwood (any relation to John Harwood??) and ex-CNN techie Miles O’Brien.  While Pitts may not be expert on human spaceflight or all things science, his astronomy and physics background makes him a top science analyst at a time when many networks slash their science coverage.

#8: The Comictators

Many cable news networks attempt to mimic Countdown‘s combination of news commentary and cultural snark with pseudo-comic-news programs hosted or guested by comedians. None pull the synthesis off as well as does Countdown. One reason is that KO engages some excellent social commentators who just happen to be comics to discuss current events — and sometimes even scores great “gets” with the likes of George Carlin, John Cleese, Lewis Black and, yes, even Richard Lewis.  But the regular Countdown comictators also provide appropriately droll insight into our leaders’ foibles — The Soup’s Joel McHale (with son Isaac), VH1 “Best Week Ever” Paul F. Tompkins (why do I always get Tompkins and McHale mixed up?) and Christian Finnegan add spice to KO’s wit.  Although KO plays the perfect straight guy, we often witness how difficult sit-down comedy can be.

#7:  Our Valiant Vets

Keith displays true respect for our troops by providing a frequent platform for some of the most cogent veterans who speak from front-line experience. Jon Soltz of VoteVets.org and my Facebook friend Paul Rieckhoff of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America say what the Pentagon fails to — about our war on terror as well as the dearth of services for our troops when they come home, Wars always remain with our brave service people who we often forget when the battles end. Jon and Paul keep the concerns of our troops and their families in our face as they need to be.

#6:   Countdown Justice League

The Countdown legal analysts, Prof. Jonathan Turley of George Washington University Law School and former White House counsel and Watergate hero John Dean unravel the legal mumbo jumbo of Washington as well as emphasize how today’s political actions threaten our fragile liberties. We particularly respect Mr. Dean, a Goldwater Republican, for his books that spotlight the hypocrisy and hubris of today’s GOP.

#5:  Pragmatic Political Pundits 

UPDATED: Apologies to Craig Crawford for leaving you off the initial list!

Our “MSNBC political analysts,” as the super identifies them, provide insightful, nuanced and pointed political commentary. So popular are the “dynamic dozen” “tremendous thirteen” (at least by my count below) that Saturday Night Live chose to lampoon frequent contributor Richard Wolffe along with KO. And unlike that parody, the pundits never fear to contradict KO on that rare occasion, he’s wrong.  

The Tremendous Thirteen:

1. Jonathan Alter
2. Margaret Carlson
3. Chris Cillizza
4. Craig Crawford
5. E.J. Dionne
6. Howard Fineman
7. Chris Hayes
8. John Harwood
9. Chris Kofinis
10. Lawrence O’Donnell
11. Clarence Page
12. Eugene Robinson
13. Richard Wolffe

#4:  Chuck Todd

As an analyst, Chuck Todd rates his own spot on the OlberBlogging Distinguished Dozen list. Chuck amassed a huge fan base during the 2006-2008 election season by easily explaining the endless campaign meshugass.  No super fancy magic dancing walls for Chuck. With tools no more complicated than a John Madden telestrator and computer, Chuck morphed statistics into sense. He also turned the goatee into journalistic chic. Chuck filled a void left with the untimely death of his mentor Tim Russert. We applaud NBC for nurturing talent from within by promoting him as Chief White House Correspondent. The network plans big things for our Chuckster.

#3:  Dr. Rachel Maddow

Speaking of nurturing and mentoring, Rachel Maddow star soared this year thanks to the tutelage of KO. The twosome clicked during her early stints as Countdown‘s singular female analyst. KO kept elbowing the network to give Rach a show of her own while providing her on-air audition opportunities as a sub-host. He even taught Rach his TelePrompTer tricks. Theirs may become a Star Is Born saga with Rachel eclipsing Keith as MSNBC’s news megastar. Stay away from the ocean, KO!

#2: Countdown Staff

Anonymous, unheralded, uncredited but, we hope, not unappreciated, the unseen, nameless Countdown staff deserves accolades for writing, producing and delivering the best news commentary show on television. Occasionally, we hear some of you laugh at an Oddball segment or a cheeky Keithy comment but otherwise you remain the silent men and women behind the camera. We viewers feel an affinity with you, whoever you are. And we thank you so much for putting up with Keith, which probably can be both fun and formidable at the same time!

#1: Keith Olbermann

Yes, KO, this is our own obligatory, but definitely deserved shout-out to our beloved Countdown host. No other journalist could fill your enormous chair, not even Rachel. You revolutionized TV news just as you and cohort Dan Patrick did for TV sportscasting by combining serious news analysis with snarky social insights. 

The Olberblogger must be honest. I saw you on talk show appearances prior to Countdown. While I never remembered your name, your preceptive, yet witty take on current events clicked with me. However, the first time I watched Countdown, I angrily wrote you off. How dare you, sir, hijack the catch phrase of my idol, the epitome of TV news itself, Edward R. Murrow: “Good night and good luck.” I studied and revered Murrow, and you, sir, are no Ed Murrow. 

But as I continued to tune in, you asked the questions no other TV journalists dared, and you courageously censured the powerful with stinging Special Comments, I knew you were entitled to take up Murrow’s mantle. Murrow with See It Now and documentaries such as Harvest of Shame emphasized his own “special comments” albeit in a more subtle and interviewee driven manner. 

We thank you, Keith, for all you do on Countdown for mentoring newcomers, and, most of all, for putting up with your sometimes crazy but always adoring fans.

That’s the OlberBlogging 2008 Distinguished Dozen. We encourage you to list your own in the comment section.

One of our Olberpals, Samantha, wrote her own selections in a recent comment that we like so much, we feature it in a separate blog entry below.

Thanks for your support in this month since our OlberBlogging began. We hope you continue to join us and participate in the New Year.  We are a community and we care.

Happy Holidays and New Year!!

Stand-up comedian and Best Week Ever panelist Christian Finnegan will be filming his new one-hour stand-up special at The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) this Saturday. The show is FREE. Straight from the source, Christian’s Facebook event:

Beloved e-Friends,

THE TIME OF RECKONING IS NIGH AT HAND!!

Tickets are now available for the live taping of my very first comedy special, “AU CONTRAIRE!”. The two big friggin’ shows will take place on October 25th at the Trocadero Theater in glorious Philadelphia, PA. It will be a glorious night of awkward personal revelations and hypocritical assaults on your character!

I’m going to lay it bare, folks–this will be the most important night of my comedy life and I want as many friendly faces there as possible. Don’t make me bus in a bunch of homeless people!

Some good news: These tapings will be completely free of charge. You hear that, cheapskates? FREE!!! Some more good news: If you attend a taping, there’s a very good chance your mug will appear on the tee-vee when Comedy Central airs “Au Contraire!” in early ’09. Think you can wait around to reserve your tickets? Au contraire!** Tickets are going to be extremely limited. SO GET YOURS NOW!

To reserve tickets, complete this online
form.

Make sure to fill in the “Promo Code” section with the word “Finny”. This will get you priority seating–it’s my way of rewarding you, my true inter-pals. And this way you can avoid rubbing shoulders with the filthy, teeming masses!

You. Me. A bunch of cameras. What could be more enticing?

I’ll see you October 25th, friendlies.

Christian Finnegan,
Ready for his close-up

My boo and I (along with our adorable friend) went to see our boy do stand up at Broadway Comedy Club last night.

The show was going very well, when out of nowhere, we were treated to a special guest! Jim Gaffigan came on to do a 20 minute set. Bacon…that’s all I have to say….

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, once Jim exited the stage, he was soon replaced with Christian Finnegan! No way! Hilarious.

What a great night. Check out these clips.

Robert Kirkman, a popular comic book writer, has built his Battle Pope property into an animated web series. It’s actually a comic that was created by both Kirkman and Tony Moore, an artist who is known for his horror and science fiction work. Spike TV teamed up with Kirkman and Moore to produce the animated series, which can now been seen at spike.com. This Flash-animated series was produced by World Leaders, and animated by Justin Offner, Art Siriamonthep, Yuri Fain and Joe Cappabianca. There’s a pair of “celebrity” voices on the series – Ze Frank plays Battle Pope and Christian Finnegan (VH1’s Best Week Ever) plays Jesus. Here’s an episode titled Paying Dues. (via Spike)

(posted by Marty McFly)