Mark's Xmas Video Countdown – #5
13 hours ago
Saturday, December 29, 2012
We are back
Damn domain registration. If you can see this we are back. We apologize for any downtime, for both this site and The Puzzle Brothers which davemackey.com actually hosts.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Well, I Tried
NOTE: We had updated the video links to what purported to be an official page, but Warner Bros. thought otherwise. Since the blog posts don't make any sense without the films, we have decided to remove the blog posts entirely.
Thank you all for being so patient as we took a nice little overview of Chuck Jones' career, which culminated in a video smorgasbord on Friday last week.
However, I want to point out something a little saddening. In their infinite corporate wisdom, Warner Bros. has decided to once again very strongly police its copyrights, pulling down several prolific users' accounts which provided some of the cartoons you would have enjoyed in those slots. I believe Warners' axed some of them well before Jones' birthday. At the time I programmed those blog posts (which was about three weeks before) all those cartoons were working and I watched them all myself and verified they worked.
The affected cartoons included "From Hare to Eternity", "Now Hear This", "Drip Along Daffy", "Lumber Jack-Rabbit", "Hell Bent for Election", "Jerry Jerry Quite Contrary", "What's Opera Doc?", "Bully for Bugs", "Rabbit Seasoning", "A Pest In The House", "The Aristo-Cat" and "The Night Watchman."
Look, Warner Bros. I understand that you retain the rights to these films. But, dammit, we're trying to program a tribute to celebrate the 100th birthday of a man who's helped line your corporate coffers many times over who helped create some of the greatest cartoons ever made, originally intended as ephemera but somehow got thrust into timelessness through countless television viewings, as well as some of the greatest cartoon characters ever created. Don't freaking rain on his parade.
Chuck's generosity with up and coming cartoonists has been well documented. In 1990, Chuck explained some drawing techniques to one of his students, a young man named Jeff DeGrandis (who is now the producer of "Dora the Explorer" and "Go Diego Go"), and someone thought to roll a video camera. DeGrandis thankfully saved the tapes, and was able to create a 90 minute DVD. Unfortunately I believe the DVD is no longer available but you can still donate to the Chuck Jones Center by visiting www.chuckjonescenter.org.
Thank you all for being so patient as we took a nice little overview of Chuck Jones' career, which culminated in a video smorgasbord on Friday last week.
However, I want to point out something a little saddening. In their infinite corporate wisdom, Warner Bros. has decided to once again very strongly police its copyrights, pulling down several prolific users' accounts which provided some of the cartoons you would have enjoyed in those slots. I believe Warners' axed some of them well before Jones' birthday. At the time I programmed those blog posts (which was about three weeks before) all those cartoons were working and I watched them all myself and verified they worked.
The affected cartoons included "From Hare to Eternity", "Now Hear This", "Drip Along Daffy", "Lumber Jack-Rabbit", "Hell Bent for Election", "Jerry Jerry Quite Contrary", "What's Opera Doc?", "Bully for Bugs", "Rabbit Seasoning", "A Pest In The House", "The Aristo-Cat" and "The Night Watchman."
Look, Warner Bros. I understand that you retain the rights to these films. But, dammit, we're trying to program a tribute to celebrate the 100th birthday of a man who's helped line your corporate coffers many times over who helped create some of the greatest cartoons ever made, originally intended as ephemera but somehow got thrust into timelessness through countless television viewings, as well as some of the greatest cartoon characters ever created. Don't freaking rain on his parade.
Chuck's generosity with up and coming cartoonists has been well documented. In 1990, Chuck explained some drawing techniques to one of his students, a young man named Jeff DeGrandis (who is now the producer of "Dora the Explorer" and "Go Diego Go"), and someone thought to roll a video camera. DeGrandis thankfully saved the tapes, and was able to create a 90 minute DVD. Unfortunately I believe the DVD is no longer available but you can still donate to the Chuck Jones Center by visiting www.chuckjonescenter.org.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Haven't checked the no-hitter rolls in a while....
Homer Bailey pitches the sixth solo no-hitter of the season. Including the combined no-hitter by six Seattle pitchers that does not appear below, that makes seven this season, tying a modern record.
LAST NO HITTERS - ACTIVE TEAMS
combined no hitters not counted
09/28/12 Cincinnati Reds (Homer Bailey)
08/15/12 Seattle Mariners (Felix Hernandez - perfect game)
06/13/12 San Francisco Giants (Matt Cain - perfect game)
06/01/12 New York Mets (Johan Santana - team's first)
05/02/12 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Jered Weaver)
04/21/12 Chicago White Sox (Philip Humber - perfect game)
05/07/11 Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander)
05/03/11 Minnesota Twins (Francisco Liriano)
10/06/10 Philadelphia Phillies (Roy Halladay - postseason game)
07/26/10 Tampa Bay Rays (Matt Garza - team's first)
06/25/10 Arizona Diamondbacks (Edwin Jackson)
05/09/10 Oakland A's (Dallas Braden - perfect game)
04/17/10 Colorado Rockies (Ubaldo Jiminez, team's first)
09/14/08 Chicago Cubs (Carlos Zambrano)
05/19/08 Boston Red Sox (Jon Lester)
09/06/06 Miami Marlins (Anibal Sanchez)
05/18/04 Arizona Diamondbacks (Randy Johnson - perfect game)
09/03/01 St. Louis Cardinals (Bud Smith)
07/18/99 New York Yankees (David Cone - perfect game)
09/17/96 Los Angeles Dodgers (Hideo Nomo)
07/28/94 Texas Rangers (Kenny Rogers - perfect game)
04/08/94 Atlanta Braves (Kent Mercker)
09/08/93 Houston Astros (Darryl Kile - vs. METS)
08/26/91 Kansas City Royals (Bret Saberhagen)
07/26/91 Montreal Expos (Dennis Martinez - perfect game - now Washington Nationals)
09/02/90 Toronto Blue Jays (Dave Stieb)
04/15/87 Milwaukee Brewers (Juan Nieves)
05/15/81 Cleveland Indians (Len Barker)
08/09/76 Pittsburgh Pirates (John Candelaria)
08/13/69 Baltimore Orioles (Jim Palmer)
NEVER San Diego Padres (team's inception, 1969)
LAST NO HITTERS - ACTIVE TEAMS
combined no hitters not counted
09/28/12 Cincinnati Reds (Homer Bailey)
08/15/12 Seattle Mariners (Felix Hernandez - perfect game)
06/13/12 San Francisco Giants (Matt Cain - perfect game)
06/01/12 New York Mets (Johan Santana - team's first)
05/02/12 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Jered Weaver)
04/21/12 Chicago White Sox (Philip Humber - perfect game)
05/07/11 Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander)
05/03/11 Minnesota Twins (Francisco Liriano)
10/06/10 Philadelphia Phillies (Roy Halladay - postseason game)
07/26/10 Tampa Bay Rays (Matt Garza - team's first)
06/25/10 Arizona Diamondbacks (Edwin Jackson)
05/09/10 Oakland A's (Dallas Braden - perfect game)
04/17/10 Colorado Rockies (Ubaldo Jiminez, team's first)
09/14/08 Chicago Cubs (Carlos Zambrano)
05/19/08 Boston Red Sox (Jon Lester)
09/06/06 Miami Marlins (Anibal Sanchez)
05/18/04 Arizona Diamondbacks (Randy Johnson - perfect game)
09/03/01 St. Louis Cardinals (Bud Smith)
07/18/99 New York Yankees (David Cone - perfect game)
09/17/96 Los Angeles Dodgers (Hideo Nomo)
07/28/94 Texas Rangers (Kenny Rogers - perfect game)
04/08/94 Atlanta Braves (Kent Mercker)
09/08/93 Houston Astros (Darryl Kile - vs. METS)
08/26/91 Kansas City Royals (Bret Saberhagen)
07/26/91 Montreal Expos (Dennis Martinez - perfect game - now Washington Nationals)
09/02/90 Toronto Blue Jays (Dave Stieb)
04/15/87 Milwaukee Brewers (Juan Nieves)
05/15/81 Cleveland Indians (Len Barker)
08/09/76 Pittsburgh Pirates (John Candelaria)
08/13/69 Baltimore Orioles (Jim Palmer)
NEVER San Diego Padres (team's inception, 1969)
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Counting Down to Chuck Jones' Centennial
We are going to be posting a Chuck Jones-directed cartoon every day from now until September 21, which would have been Chuck's 100th birthday. We are going to do this here on the blog and then also on my Facebook page.
We start with Chuck's first cartoon as director, "The Night Watchman", which was typical of the slower, gentler comedies that marked Chuck's first few years as a cartoon director. Eventually, Chuck loosened up, and his films became uproariously funny.
NOTE: Warner Bros. took most of the films down. I took the posts down so the page loads faster and I look less like a schmuck than I did before.
NOTE: Warner Bros. took most of the films down. I took the posts down so the page loads faster and I look less like a schmuck than I did before.
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Housekeeping
We have moved three inactive blogs to the Hall of Fame: John Kricfalusi's Funky HB, Jessica Krajdel's Vale Vale Venga, and Paul Spector's Spectorphile.
Do you think Tweeting is the new blogging?
Thursday, July 12, 2012
The Exploding Mickey Mouse
David Gerstein in his Ramapaith blog reports on an interesting main title variant that was actually used on a number of United Artists Mickey Mouse releases. The big sunbeam-backed head of Mickey Mouse explodes!
Warner Bros. fans should weigh this statement of Gerstein's regarding this title variant. "Somewhere, 'Exploding Mickey' sits on a therapist's couch alongside the 'Lumber-Jack Rabbit' [sic] Warner Bros shield, asking their mutual shrink how they can apologize to the many kids they've scared."
EDIT: Reason for sic:
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
And Now The Waiting Begins
Today I auditioned for "Jeopardy!" The auditions take place in several cities throughout the country, and it was New York's turn. Two teams of contestant staff scour the country looking for good players with awesome knowledge. Today's auditions were run by Senior Contestant Coordinator Glenn Kagan, who's been working on game shows for over 35 years, the last 25 with the current version of "Jeopardy!", which will enter its 29th season this fall. We were one of the first audition groups for the new season, which begins taping July 24 at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, CA.
Kagan and his associates Corinne and Kenny were all friendly types in spite of jet lag from flying in the day before. There were nineteen of us in the audition room; sixteen men, three women. We started with a fifty-question written quiz. As the same quiz is used in future auditions I cannot spoil any of the material, sorry. I think I got about 42 of the fifty correct including some lucky guesses and in spite of a few brain farts.
After scoring the quizzes, we each played a mock game of "Jeopardy!" using the familiar handheld buzzers and a truncated board showing only three questions in each category. As each category is used up a new one replaces it. If I could figure out a way to reprogram the pages on J! Archive (www.j-archive.com) to do that, it would be just so sweet as a training aid. I was in the sixth and final trio of contestants. Afterwards I gave Glenn and Corinne the story of my life, then made way for the 19th and final contestant.
My morning was over with a quick 20-block walk back to Penn Station to catch the train into Metropark (with a stop at Ray's Famous Original Pizza - good slices), and the drive home from there. (The commute to and fro was routine and uneventful, unlike my drive into NYC for "Millionaire.")
So now begins 18 months of waiting for a phone call telling me to pack my bags for LA, which I haven't visited since 1989. Looking forward to finally getting a chance to be on a show that I watched as a wee child with Art Fleming on NBC, and one I first auditioned for sometime in the early 1990's with a 50-question test at what was then known as Merv Griffin's Resorts. (Needless to say I didn't do well on that one.)
Will update you if I get a tape date. After that, I must remain mum until the show (hopefully, shows) air.
Kagan and his associates Corinne and Kenny were all friendly types in spite of jet lag from flying in the day before. There were nineteen of us in the audition room; sixteen men, three women. We started with a fifty-question written quiz. As the same quiz is used in future auditions I cannot spoil any of the material, sorry. I think I got about 42 of the fifty correct including some lucky guesses and in spite of a few brain farts.
After scoring the quizzes, we each played a mock game of "Jeopardy!" using the familiar handheld buzzers and a truncated board showing only three questions in each category. As each category is used up a new one replaces it. If I could figure out a way to reprogram the pages on J! Archive (www.j-archive.com) to do that, it would be just so sweet as a training aid. I was in the sixth and final trio of contestants. Afterwards I gave Glenn and Corinne the story of my life, then made way for the 19th and final contestant.
My morning was over with a quick 20-block walk back to Penn Station to catch the train into Metropark (with a stop at Ray's Famous Original Pizza - good slices), and the drive home from there. (The commute to and fro was routine and uneventful, unlike my drive into NYC for "Millionaire.")
So now begins 18 months of waiting for a phone call telling me to pack my bags for LA, which I haven't visited since 1989. Looking forward to finally getting a chance to be on a show that I watched as a wee child with Art Fleming on NBC, and one I first auditioned for sometime in the early 1990's with a 50-question test at what was then known as Merv Griffin's Resorts. (Needless to say I didn't do well on that one.)
Will update you if I get a tape date. After that, I must remain mum until the show (hopefully, shows) air.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
What A Night For Pitchers
Three incredible pitching performances last night, one in Miami with a potential Boston no-hitter by Felix Doubront broken up by no less than Jose Reyes, R.A. Dickey's one-hitter against Tampa Bay, and Matt Cain totally shutting down the Houston Astros late last night at AT&T Park.
This morning word comes that the Mets are going to try to appeal what they believe should have been a fielding error on David Wright on B.J. Upton's first-inning dribbler "single". Jon Heyman of CBS doesn't believe the Mets have a chance to have the call overturned. I would think that then we'd go back to the tapes and films of all one-hitters and try to make them retroactively into no-nos. The decision of the official scorer should be final. Imagine if the Cards were to appeal that blown third base foul line call in Santana's no hitter of almost two weeks ago....
That said, let's roll out the revised roster, as we continue to count down the Padres' continued futility in their quest for a no-hitter at right. (Anyone else doing this?)
LAST NO HITTERS - ACTIVE TEAMS
combined no hitters not counted, including the one the Seattle Mariners threw on June 8, 2012
06/13/12 San Francisco Giants (Matt Cain - perfect game)
06/01/12 New York Mets (Johan Santana - team's first)
05/02/12 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Jered Weaver)
04/21/12 Chicago White Sox (Philip Humber - perfect game)
05/07/11 Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander)
05/03/11 Minnesota Twins (Francisco Liriano)
10/06/10 Philadelphia Phillies (Roy Halladay - postseason game)
07/26/10 Tampa Bay Rays (Matt Garza - team's first)
06/25/10 Arizona Diamondbacks (Edwin Jackson)
05/09/10 Oakland A's (Dallas Braden - perfect game)
04/17/10 Colorado Rockies (Ubaldo Jiminez, team's first)
09/14/08 Chicago Cubs (Carlos Zambrano)
05/19/08 Boston Red Sox (Jon Lester)
09/06/06 Florida Marlins (Anibal Sanchez)
05/18/04 Arizona Diamondbacks (Randy Johnson - perfect game)
09/03/01 St. Louis Cardinals (Bud Smith)
07/18/99 New York Yankees (David Cone - perfect game)
09/17/96 Los Angeles Dodgers (Hideo Nomo)
07/28/94 Texas Rangers (Kenny Rogers - perfect game)
04/08/94 Atlanta Braves (Kent Mercker)
09/08/93 Houston Astros (Darryl Kile - vs. METS)
04/22/93 Seattle Mariners (Chris Bosio)
08/26/91 Kansas City Royals (Bret Saberhagen)
07/26/91 Montreal Expos (Dennis Martinez - perfect game - now Washington Nationals)
09/02/90 Toronto Blue Jays (Dave Stieb)
09/16/88 Cincinnati Reds (Tom Browning - perfect game)
04/15/87 Milwaukee Brewers (Juan Nieves)
05/15/81 Cleveland Indians (Len Barker)
08/09/76 Pittsburgh Pirates (John Candelaria)
08/13/69 Baltimore Orioles (Jim Palmer)
NEVER San Diego Padres (team's inception, 1969)
This morning word comes that the Mets are going to try to appeal what they believe should have been a fielding error on David Wright on B.J. Upton's first-inning dribbler "single". Jon Heyman of CBS doesn't believe the Mets have a chance to have the call overturned. I would think that then we'd go back to the tapes and films of all one-hitters and try to make them retroactively into no-nos. The decision of the official scorer should be final. Imagine if the Cards were to appeal that blown third base foul line call in Santana's no hitter of almost two weeks ago....
That said, let's roll out the revised roster, as we continue to count down the Padres' continued futility in their quest for a no-hitter at right. (Anyone else doing this?)
LAST NO HITTERS - ACTIVE TEAMS
combined no hitters not counted, including the one the Seattle Mariners threw on June 8, 2012
06/13/12 San Francisco Giants (Matt Cain - perfect game)
06/01/12 New York Mets (Johan Santana - team's first)
05/02/12 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Jered Weaver)
04/21/12 Chicago White Sox (Philip Humber - perfect game)
05/07/11 Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander)
05/03/11 Minnesota Twins (Francisco Liriano)
10/06/10 Philadelphia Phillies (Roy Halladay - postseason game)
07/26/10 Tampa Bay Rays (Matt Garza - team's first)
06/25/10 Arizona Diamondbacks (Edwin Jackson)
05/09/10 Oakland A's (Dallas Braden - perfect game)
04/17/10 Colorado Rockies (Ubaldo Jiminez, team's first)
09/14/08 Chicago Cubs (Carlos Zambrano)
05/19/08 Boston Red Sox (Jon Lester)
09/06/06 Florida Marlins (Anibal Sanchez)
05/18/04 Arizona Diamondbacks (Randy Johnson - perfect game)
09/03/01 St. Louis Cardinals (Bud Smith)
07/18/99 New York Yankees (David Cone - perfect game)
09/17/96 Los Angeles Dodgers (Hideo Nomo)
07/28/94 Texas Rangers (Kenny Rogers - perfect game)
04/08/94 Atlanta Braves (Kent Mercker)
09/08/93 Houston Astros (Darryl Kile - vs. METS)
04/22/93 Seattle Mariners (Chris Bosio)
08/26/91 Kansas City Royals (Bret Saberhagen)
07/26/91 Montreal Expos (Dennis Martinez - perfect game - now Washington Nationals)
09/02/90 Toronto Blue Jays (Dave Stieb)
09/16/88 Cincinnati Reds (Tom Browning - perfect game)
04/15/87 Milwaukee Brewers (Juan Nieves)
05/15/81 Cleveland Indians (Len Barker)
08/09/76 Pittsburgh Pirates (John Candelaria)
08/13/69 Baltimore Orioles (Jim Palmer)
NEVER San Diego Padres (team's inception, 1969)
Friday, June 01, 2012
EL GOCHO BELIEVE IT!
combined no hitters not counted
06/01/12 New York Mets (Johan Santana - team's first)
05/02/12 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Jered Weaver)
04/21/12 Chicago White Sox (Philip Humber - perfect game)
05/07/11 Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander)
05/03/11 Minnesota Twins (Francisco Liriano)
10/06/10 Philadelphia Phillies (Roy Halladay - postseason game)
07/26/10 Tampa Bay Rays (Matt Garza - team's first)
06/25/10 Arizona Diamondbacks (Edwin Jackson)
05/09/10 Oakland A's (Dallas Braden - perfect game)
04/17/10 Colorado Rockies (Ubaldo Jiminez, team's first)
07/10/09 San Francisco Giants (Jonathan Sanchez)
09/14/08 Chicago Cubs (Carlos Zambrano)
05/19/08 Boston Red Sox (Jon Lester)
09/06/06 Florida Marlins (Anibal Sanchez)
05/18/04 Arizona Diamondbacks (Randy Johnson - perfect game)
09/03/01 St. Louis Cardinals (Bud Smith)
07/18/99 New York Yankees (David Cone - perfect game)
09/17/96 Los Angeles Dodgers (Hideo Nomo)
07/28/94 Texas Rangers (Kenny Rogers - perfect game)
04/08/94 Atlanta Braves (Kent Mercker)
09/08/93 Houston Astros (Darryl Kile - vs. METS)
04/22/93 Seattle Mariners (Chris Bosio)
08/26/91 Kansas City Royals (Bret Saberhagen)
07/26/91 Montreal Expos (Dennis Martinez - perfect game - now Washington Nationals)
09/02/90 Toronto Blue Jays (Dave Stieb)
09/16/88 Cincinnati Reds (Tom Browning - perfect game)
04/15/87 Milwaukee Brewers (Juan Nieves)
05/15/81 Cleveland Indians (Len Barker)
08/09/76 Pittsburgh Pirates (John Candelaria)
08/13/69 Baltimore Orioles (Jim Palmer)
NEVER San Diego Padres (team's inception, 1969)
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Yada Yada Yada
LAST NO HITTERS - ACTIVE TEAMS
combined no hitters not counted
05/02/12 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Jered Weaver)
04/21/12 Chicago White Sox (Philip Humber - perfect game)
05/07/11 Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander)
05/03/11 Minnesota Twins (Francisco Liriano)
10/06/10 Philadelphia Phillies (Roy Halladay - postseason game)
07/26/10 Tampa Bay Rays (Matt Garza - team's first)
06/25/10 Arizona Diamondbacks (Edwin Jackson)
05/09/10 Oakland A's (Dallas Braden - perfect game)
04/17/10 Colorado Rockies (Ubaldo Jiminez, team's first)
07/10/09 San Francisco Giants (Jonathan Sanchez)
09/14/08 Chicago Cubs (Carlos Zambrano)
05/19/08 Boston Red Sox (Jon Lester)
09/06/06 Florida Marlins (Anibal Sanchez)
05/18/04 Arizona Diamondbacks (Randy Johnson - perfect game)
09/03/01 St. Louis Cardinals (Bud Smith)
07/18/99 New York Yankees (David Cone - perfect game)
09/17/96 Los Angeles Dodgers (Hideo Nomo)
07/28/94 Texas Rangers (Kenny Rogers - perfect game)
04/08/94 Atlanta Braves (Kent Mercker)
09/08/93 Houston Astros (Darryl Kile - vs. METS)
04/22/93 Seattle Mariners (Chris Bosio)
08/26/91 Kansas City Royals (Bret Saberhagen)
07/26/91 Montreal Expos (Dennis Martinez - perfect game - now Washington Nationals)
09/02/90 Toronto Blue Jays (Dave Stieb)
09/16/88 Cincinnati Reds (Tom Browning - perfect game)
04/15/87 Milwaukee Brewers (Juan Nieves)
05/15/81 Cleveland Indians (Len Barker)
08/09/76 Pittsburgh Pirates (John Candelaria)
08/13/69 Baltimore Orioles (Jim Palmer)
NEVER San Diego Padres (team's inception, 1969)
NEVER New York Mets (team's inception, 1962)
combined no hitters not counted
05/02/12 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Jered Weaver)
04/21/12 Chicago White Sox (Philip Humber - perfect game)
05/07/11 Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander)
05/03/11 Minnesota Twins (Francisco Liriano)
10/06/10 Philadelphia Phillies (Roy Halladay - postseason game)
07/26/10 Tampa Bay Rays (Matt Garza - team's first)
06/25/10 Arizona Diamondbacks (Edwin Jackson)
05/09/10 Oakland A's (Dallas Braden - perfect game)
04/17/10 Colorado Rockies (Ubaldo Jiminez, team's first)
07/10/09 San Francisco Giants (Jonathan Sanchez)
09/14/08 Chicago Cubs (Carlos Zambrano)
05/19/08 Boston Red Sox (Jon Lester)
09/06/06 Florida Marlins (Anibal Sanchez)
05/18/04 Arizona Diamondbacks (Randy Johnson - perfect game)
09/03/01 St. Louis Cardinals (Bud Smith)
07/18/99 New York Yankees (David Cone - perfect game)
09/17/96 Los Angeles Dodgers (Hideo Nomo)
07/28/94 Texas Rangers (Kenny Rogers - perfect game)
04/08/94 Atlanta Braves (Kent Mercker)
09/08/93 Houston Astros (Darryl Kile - vs. METS)
04/22/93 Seattle Mariners (Chris Bosio)
08/26/91 Kansas City Royals (Bret Saberhagen)
07/26/91 Montreal Expos (Dennis Martinez - perfect game - now Washington Nationals)
09/02/90 Toronto Blue Jays (Dave Stieb)
09/16/88 Cincinnati Reds (Tom Browning - perfect game)
04/15/87 Milwaukee Brewers (Juan Nieves)
05/15/81 Cleveland Indians (Len Barker)
08/09/76 Pittsburgh Pirates (John Candelaria)
08/13/69 Baltimore Orioles (Jim Palmer)
NEVER San Diego Padres (team's inception, 1969)
NEVER New York Mets (team's inception, 1962)
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Here we go again....
Mets fans still wait as ChiSox fans enjoy their second perfect game in four seasons.
LAST NO HITTERS - ACTIVE TEAMS
combined no hitters not counted
04/21/12 Chicago White Sox (Philip Humber - perfect game)
07/27/11 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Ervin Santana)
05/07/11 Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander)
05/03/11 Minnesota Twins (Francisco Liriano)
10/06/10 Philadelphia Phillies (Roy Halladay - postseason game)
07/26/10 Tampa Bay Rays (Matt Garza - team's first)
06/25/10 Arizona Diamondbacks (Edwin Jackson)
05/09/10 Oakland A's (Dallas Braden - perfect game)
04/17/10 Colorado Rockies (Ubaldo Jiminez, team's first)
07/10/09 San Francisco Giants (Jonathan Sanchez)
09/14/08 Chicago Cubs (Carlos Zambrano)
05/19/08 Boston Red Sox (Jon Lester)
09/06/06 Florida Marlins (Anibal Sanchez)
05/18/04 Arizona Diamondbacks (Randy Johnson - perfect game)
09/03/01 St. Louis Cardinals (Bud Smith)
07/18/99 New York Yankees (David Cone - perfect game)
09/17/96 Los Angeles Dodgers (Hideo Nomo)
07/28/94 Texas Rangers (Kenny Rogers - perfect game)
04/08/94 Atlanta Braves (Kent Mercker)
09/08/93 Houston Astros (Darryl Kile - vs. METS)
04/22/93 Seattle Mariners (Chris Bosio)
08/26/91 Kansas City Royals (Bret Saberhagen)
07/26/91 Montreal Expos (Dennis Martinez - perfect game - now Washington Nationals)
09/02/90 Toronto Blue Jays (Dave Stieb)
09/16/88 Cincinnati Reds (Tom Browning - perfect game)
04/15/87 Milwaukee Brewers (Juan Nieves)
05/15/81 Cleveland Indians (Len Barker)
08/09/76 Pittsburgh Pirates (John Candelaria)
08/13/69 Baltimore Orioles (Jim Palmer)
NEVER San Diego Padres (team's inception, 1969)
NEVER New York Mets (team's inception, 1962)
LAST NO HITTERS - ACTIVE TEAMS
combined no hitters not counted
04/21/12 Chicago White Sox (Philip Humber - perfect game)
07/27/11 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Ervin Santana)
05/07/11 Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander)
05/03/11 Minnesota Twins (Francisco Liriano)
10/06/10 Philadelphia Phillies (Roy Halladay - postseason game)
07/26/10 Tampa Bay Rays (Matt Garza - team's first)
06/25/10 Arizona Diamondbacks (Edwin Jackson)
05/09/10 Oakland A's (Dallas Braden - perfect game)
04/17/10 Colorado Rockies (Ubaldo Jiminez, team's first)
07/10/09 San Francisco Giants (Jonathan Sanchez)
09/14/08 Chicago Cubs (Carlos Zambrano)
05/19/08 Boston Red Sox (Jon Lester)
09/06/06 Florida Marlins (Anibal Sanchez)
05/18/04 Arizona Diamondbacks (Randy Johnson - perfect game)
09/03/01 St. Louis Cardinals (Bud Smith)
07/18/99 New York Yankees (David Cone - perfect game)
09/17/96 Los Angeles Dodgers (Hideo Nomo)
07/28/94 Texas Rangers (Kenny Rogers - perfect game)
04/08/94 Atlanta Braves (Kent Mercker)
09/08/93 Houston Astros (Darryl Kile - vs. METS)
04/22/93 Seattle Mariners (Chris Bosio)
08/26/91 Kansas City Royals (Bret Saberhagen)
07/26/91 Montreal Expos (Dennis Martinez - perfect game - now Washington Nationals)
09/02/90 Toronto Blue Jays (Dave Stieb)
09/16/88 Cincinnati Reds (Tom Browning - perfect game)
04/15/87 Milwaukee Brewers (Juan Nieves)
05/15/81 Cleveland Indians (Len Barker)
08/09/76 Pittsburgh Pirates (John Candelaria)
08/13/69 Baltimore Orioles (Jim Palmer)
NEVER San Diego Padres (team's inception, 1969)
NEVER New York Mets (team's inception, 1962)
AI Twitter Scoreboard
Since this year the geniuses of "American Idol" have decided to give each of their contestants their own official Twitter account, it was interesting to see how many followers each of the remaining contestants have. The numbers are not surprising.
Jessica Sanchez - 213,660 (@jsanchezai11)
Phillip Phillips - 207,202 (@pphillipsai11)
Skylar Laine - 90,196 (@slaineai11)
Hollie Cavanagh - 69,196 (@cavanaghai11)
Joshua Ledet - 62,499 (@jledetai11)
Elise Testone - 62,024 (@etestoneai11)
See if this holds through the end of the competition but I see a Jessica-Phillip final, in spite of my rooting interest in Elise, who spent her teen years in New Jersey.
Jessica Sanchez - 213,660 (@jsanchezai11)
Phillip Phillips - 207,202 (@pphillipsai11)
Skylar Laine - 90,196 (@slaineai11)
Hollie Cavanagh - 69,196 (@cavanaghai11)
Joshua Ledet - 62,499 (@jledetai11)
Elise Testone - 62,024 (@etestoneai11)
See if this holds through the end of the competition but I see a Jessica-Phillip final, in spite of my rooting interest in Elise, who spent her teen years in New Jersey.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Memories of Dick Clark
Ah, Dick Clark. He and I sort of grew up together, in spite of the fact that there was some 30 years age difference between us. Now, granted I'm not old enough to remember when Dick first hit the national airwaves in 1957, taking a five-year-old local dance show originating from, of all places, Philadelphia, to the nascent ABC Television Network, where the double-punch of that show and "The Mickey Mouse Club" were the two biggest hits in daytime TV, eventually leading to the cancellation of NBC's "Howdy Doody".
By the time I started watching "American Bandstand" it was probably 1967. The show had already been on the West Coast for about four years and had just moved to early Saturday afternoons at 12:30 Eastern. Dick had darn near everyone come on his show and lip sync to their hit records; even as technology made live performances possible, Dick still did it the old fashioned way. Many tributes have noted that Dick championed black performers early on, which did get him in trouble with ABC affiliates in the deep South. But eventually the talent of performers like Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke left audiences even there wanting for more. I will always remember the weekly countdown of the biggest hits, Rate-A-Record, and all those ads for products like Clearasil and Stridex and Dr Pepper (which Dick at one point advocated drinking hot).
A clip from the 1982 30th anniversary special follows. There is also a segment with Dick's longtime announcer on the show, Charlie O'Donnell. Clark brought O'Donnell with him to LA, kickstarting his own career as a disk jockey, news anchor, and television announcer. (I've heard, but have never been able to confirm, that Jay Stewart was also an announcer on "Bandstand".)
Dick parlayed his success as music entrepreneur into several other formats, including a prime-time show for Beech-Nut Gum, "Where The Action Is", and "The American Music Awards". Dick was involved in the payola scandal of the late 1950's but divested himself of music publishing and record label interests thereafter. He also kept "Bandstand" going into the late 1980's, eventually turning the reins over to David Hirsch.
The dance show wasn't enough for Clark. In 1965 he hosted his first game show for ABC, "The Object Is". Beginning on March 26, 1973, Clark began hosting "The $10,000 Pyramid" and by the end of the decade, Clark had two shows for which he will forever be identified (although it took a doubling of the prize money and a reprieve by ABC after CBS cancelled the original show). Clark continued to host the show until 1988; he was replaced by John Davidson in 1991. Clark's final episode is presented in its entirety below.
On occasion, he also played the game. You think he was good at it? Check out this clip from a mid-70's nighttime episode hosted by Bill Cullen.
Clark also hosted "The Challengers" and "Winning Lines" and his company, dick clark productions, produced the Chuck Woolery-hosted "Greed". Here is a clip from "Winning Lines"; note Dick's blooper when he said you could win one billion dollars.
At the request of ABC, Dick Clark began hosting a New Year's Eve show to compete with Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians in the early 70s, and soon Lombardo's slurping saxophones gave way to the sounds of rock and roll to ring in each new year. Dick Clark counts down to 1990 in this clip.
Dick Clark continued hosting the show even after suffering a massive stroke that permanently disabled him. Dick missed the 2004 countdown with Regis Philbin filling in, but in 2005 he was back. Many found it hard to watch the post-stroke Dick Clark, with slurred speech and other impairments, but I never had a problem with it. Who was going to tell him not to do it? But by the time he reached 80, he decided he needed to plan for the passing of the torch, naming Ryan Seacrest as his eventual successor. This clip from Clark's final NYRE shows Seacrest, Clark and co-host Jenny McCarthy ringing in 2012. The one thing that never changed: the midnight kiss from his third and most enduring wife, and now widow, Kari Wigton Clark.
There will never be another. RIP, Dick Clark.
By the time I started watching "American Bandstand" it was probably 1967. The show had already been on the West Coast for about four years and had just moved to early Saturday afternoons at 12:30 Eastern. Dick had darn near everyone come on his show and lip sync to their hit records; even as technology made live performances possible, Dick still did it the old fashioned way. Many tributes have noted that Dick championed black performers early on, which did get him in trouble with ABC affiliates in the deep South. But eventually the talent of performers like Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke left audiences even there wanting for more. I will always remember the weekly countdown of the biggest hits, Rate-A-Record, and all those ads for products like Clearasil and Stridex and Dr Pepper (which Dick at one point advocated drinking hot).
A clip from the 1982 30th anniversary special follows. There is also a segment with Dick's longtime announcer on the show, Charlie O'Donnell. Clark brought O'Donnell with him to LA, kickstarting his own career as a disk jockey, news anchor, and television announcer. (I've heard, but have never been able to confirm, that Jay Stewart was also an announcer on "Bandstand".)
Dick parlayed his success as music entrepreneur into several other formats, including a prime-time show for Beech-Nut Gum, "Where The Action Is", and "The American Music Awards". Dick was involved in the payola scandal of the late 1950's but divested himself of music publishing and record label interests thereafter. He also kept "Bandstand" going into the late 1980's, eventually turning the reins over to David Hirsch.
The dance show wasn't enough for Clark. In 1965 he hosted his first game show for ABC, "The Object Is". Beginning on March 26, 1973, Clark began hosting "The $10,000 Pyramid" and by the end of the decade, Clark had two shows for which he will forever be identified (although it took a doubling of the prize money and a reprieve by ABC after CBS cancelled the original show). Clark continued to host the show until 1988; he was replaced by John Davidson in 1991. Clark's final episode is presented in its entirety below.
On occasion, he also played the game. You think he was good at it? Check out this clip from a mid-70's nighttime episode hosted by Bill Cullen.
Clark also hosted "The Challengers" and "Winning Lines" and his company, dick clark productions, produced the Chuck Woolery-hosted "Greed". Here is a clip from "Winning Lines"; note Dick's blooper when he said you could win one billion dollars.
At the request of ABC, Dick Clark began hosting a New Year's Eve show to compete with Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians in the early 70s, and soon Lombardo's slurping saxophones gave way to the sounds of rock and roll to ring in each new year. Dick Clark counts down to 1990 in this clip.
Dick Clark continued hosting the show even after suffering a massive stroke that permanently disabled him. Dick missed the 2004 countdown with Regis Philbin filling in, but in 2005 he was back. Many found it hard to watch the post-stroke Dick Clark, with slurred speech and other impairments, but I never had a problem with it. Who was going to tell him not to do it? But by the time he reached 80, he decided he needed to plan for the passing of the torch, naming Ryan Seacrest as his eventual successor. This clip from Clark's final NYRE shows Seacrest, Clark and co-host Jenny McCarthy ringing in 2012. The one thing that never changed: the midnight kiss from his third and most enduring wife, and now widow, Kari Wigton Clark.
There will never be another. RIP, Dick Clark.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Seventh Annual DaveMackey.Com Big Game Ad Review - Recap
The full live blog appears in the previous post, and as usual we had a blast. This year didn't raise the bar for Super Bowl spots, by no means.
Disclaimer-happy spots ruled the day. A record 7 spots featured at least one "Do Not Attempt" disclaimer, which results in an automatic disqualification. This included both spots for Hyundai. Best turnaround advertiser was Bridgestone, who brought forth two very funny spots with not a disclaimer in sight, unlike in previous years. One of the Bridgestone spots, the H&M with David Beckham wearing briefs, and a 2:00 Chrysler spot that technically should not have counted were the best spots of the night from this corner. Worst spots of the night went to General Electric, trying to make turbine production exciting.
Here then is our recap of eacn break and the spot grade.
Break 1
C Bud Light Platinum
DQ Audi Vampires :60
Break 2
B Pepsi (Elton John)
DQ Hyundai
Break 3
C Bud Light Platinum
A- M&M's
C Best Buy
Break 4
B- Coca Cola (bears 1)
B Chevrolet Trucks :60
Break 5
B Bridgestone Football
C- Go Daddy
C Lexus GS
-- Battleship
Break 6
B Budweiser Prohibition
B Doritos
B+ Chevrolet Happy Grad
Break 7
C- GE Turbine / Budweiser
-- John Carter
B Tax Act
Break 8
-- The Lorax
B+ Volkswagen Beetle
Break 9
A H&M (rated by the women in my house)
B- Coke (bears 2)
Break 10
DQ Chevy Sonic
-- Star Wars Episode 1
Break 11
-- The avengers
C Teleflora
A- Skechers
B- Cars.com
Break 12
DQ Doritos (NOTE: This was the USA Today "Ad Meter" winner)
A- E*Trade
-- G.I. Joe
Break 13
A Chrysler 2:00 (some spot listings are counting this an in-game spot...)
Break 14
C Fiat Abarth
B- Pepsi Max
Break 15
A- Toyota Camry
C Coca-Cola (Bears #3)
C Dannon Oikos
C Century 21
Break 16
B Acura NSX Seinfeld
C- GE
Break 17
B Budweiser through the years
A Bridgestone Basketball
Break 18
DQ Honda CR-V
-- Navy SEALS Movie
B Met Live "Everybody"
Break 19
DQ Hyundai
B- Bud Light "Here, Weego"
Break 20
DQ Kia Optime Limited
B Careers.com
Break 21
C Samsung Galaxy Note
Break 22
C Cadillac CTS
C History Channel Swamp People
C Go Daddy Cloud
Disclaimer-happy spots ruled the day. A record 7 spots featured at least one "Do Not Attempt" disclaimer, which results in an automatic disqualification. This included both spots for Hyundai. Best turnaround advertiser was Bridgestone, who brought forth two very funny spots with not a disclaimer in sight, unlike in previous years. One of the Bridgestone spots, the H&M with David Beckham wearing briefs, and a 2:00 Chrysler spot that technically should not have counted were the best spots of the night from this corner. Worst spots of the night went to General Electric, trying to make turbine production exciting.
Here then is our recap of eacn break and the spot grade.
Break 1
C Bud Light Platinum
DQ Audi Vampires :60
Break 2
B Pepsi (Elton John)
DQ Hyundai
Break 3
C Bud Light Platinum
A- M&M's
C Best Buy
Break 4
B- Coca Cola (bears 1)
B Chevrolet Trucks :60
Break 5
B Bridgestone Football
C- Go Daddy
C Lexus GS
-- Battleship
Break 6
B Budweiser Prohibition
B Doritos
B+ Chevrolet Happy Grad
Break 7
C- GE Turbine / Budweiser
-- John Carter
B Tax Act
Break 8
-- The Lorax
B+ Volkswagen Beetle
Break 9
A H&M (rated by the women in my house)
B- Coke (bears 2)
Break 10
DQ Chevy Sonic
-- Star Wars Episode 1
Break 11
-- The avengers
C Teleflora
A- Skechers
B- Cars.com
Break 12
DQ Doritos (NOTE: This was the USA Today "Ad Meter" winner)
A- E*Trade
-- G.I. Joe
Break 13
A Chrysler 2:00 (some spot listings are counting this an in-game spot...)
Break 14
C Fiat Abarth
B- Pepsi Max
Break 15
A- Toyota Camry
C Coca-Cola (Bears #3)
C Dannon Oikos
C Century 21
Break 16
B Acura NSX Seinfeld
C- GE
Break 17
B Budweiser through the years
A Bridgestone Basketball
Break 18
DQ Honda CR-V
-- Navy SEALS Movie
B Met Live "Everybody"
Break 19
DQ Hyundai
B- Bud Light "Here, Weego"
Break 20
DQ Kia Optime Limited
B Careers.com
Break 21
C Samsung Galaxy Note
Break 22
C Cadillac CTS
C History Channel Swamp People
C Go Daddy Cloud
Sunday, January 29, 2012
That Time Of Year Again!
For the past six years, we at davemackey.com (okay, it's just me...) have been dutifully covering the advertising offerings in the biggest football game of the year. We're going to do it again on Sunday, February 5, in the blissfully (well, as blissful as you can be when you have the league goons watching your every move) retitled "Seventh Annual davemackey.com 'Big Game' Ad Review".
For the seventh year in a row we will provide instant analysis and grading on the ads that occur during the Giants-Patriots game. Last time we did a Giants-Patriots game, the Giants won. The best ad that year was a Coca-Cola spot featuring Macy's parade balloons of Underdog and Stewie Griffin (the latter being a fictitious balloon - damn you, vile ad agency!) battling it out for a Coke.
Since the NBC Traffic Department is still scheduling the airtime I'm not going to venture what the exact schedule is going to be in years past. I'm just goinna let them run and see what happens.
The ground rules are the same as in years past. We rate all spots with the exception of movie trailers, which we believe to be a breed apart, and the NFL house ad. Only in-game spots are considered. No pre game or halftime stuff. No local avails are considered. Any ad with a DO NOT ATTEMPT disclaimer is automatically disqualified. That should kill any and all car ads right there as more and more of these spots, even showing a tame little sedan going down Main Street USA at 20 mph still will red-flag the lawyers into insisting on a DO NOT ATTEMPT super. And yes, we must acknowledge the presence of the League Goon who hands out the obligatory hats you can buy at the NFL Shop (URL not provided, search for it yourself you bastards) the minute the game ends. Game prediction: Giants 27, Pats 13. Go Giants. See you next Sunday.
For the seventh year in a row we will provide instant analysis and grading on the ads that occur during the Giants-Patriots game. Last time we did a Giants-Patriots game, the Giants won. The best ad that year was a Coca-Cola spot featuring Macy's parade balloons of Underdog and Stewie Griffin (the latter being a fictitious balloon - damn you, vile ad agency!) battling it out for a Coke.
Since the NBC Traffic Department is still scheduling the airtime I'm not going to venture what the exact schedule is going to be in years past. I'm just goinna let them run and see what happens.
The ground rules are the same as in years past. We rate all spots with the exception of movie trailers, which we believe to be a breed apart, and the NFL house ad. Only in-game spots are considered. No pre game or halftime stuff. No local avails are considered. Any ad with a DO NOT ATTEMPT disclaimer is automatically disqualified. That should kill any and all car ads right there as more and more of these spots, even showing a tame little sedan going down Main Street USA at 20 mph still will red-flag the lawyers into insisting on a DO NOT ATTEMPT super. And yes, we must acknowledge the presence of the League Goon who hands out the obligatory hats you can buy at the NFL Shop (URL not provided, search for it yourself you bastards) the minute the game ends. Game prediction: Giants 27, Pats 13. Go Giants. See you next Sunday.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Polly Wanna Blog?
Go to the sidebar and click on "Polly's Piece of Peace" and you'll find the wonderful Polly Esther has some new stuff on her blog. I only see Polly once a year, at the ACPT, but she is one of the most fun people I know, Canadian or otherwise.
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