Been Too Long

As I have been gently reminded by 'concerned' parties (Andrew "I love the fans" Folkner), the blog has been bereft of activity as of late. But have no fear, I've spent the last month watching NBA and NCAA basketball, preparing myself to dole out nuggets of knowledge to best prepare you for the undercard (March Madness) and the main event (NBA Playoffs) coming up. But, before we get into that, let's spend some time on some things that have grinded my gears over the last month:

Reporters Jumping the Gun: I get why it happens. In this 24 hour news cycle that has evolved, everyone wants to be the first to break a story. I get that. The ESPN news ticker even ascribes information based on who gets the story emailed in first. There are three specific examples that have caught my eye over the past month, a best case, bad case, and worst case.

Best case: The Cleveland Plains Dealer broke word that Joe Smith would be signing with the Cavaliers before negotiations were finished. While anyone who follows the Association could see that coming, the newspaper broke this report while the final paper work was being ironed out, and Smith's people were seriously considering a competing offer from the Lakers (which might tell you what they think about Bynum's chances to return this year, but that's a whole nother thing). Sure, the Cavs ended up signing Joe Smith, and the paper didn't have egg on it's face, but there are other ways for this to play.

Bad case: The Atlanta Journal Constitution (beacon of news that it is) reported earlier this year that Ken Griffey Jr. would be joining the Braves, and attempt to be an everyday outfielder for the squad. Less than 24 hours later, word came from Seattle people that Griffey was coming home. Did the paper cause Griffey to back out? Was this an overzealous writer (and editor(s)) trying to 'scoop' a big signing? What really gets me is that there was no accountability, no call for any one to explain this mess up, and I know what you're thinking: it's just one time with a player signing, what's the big deal?

Worst case: During the coverage of the tragedy off the Florida coast, where three men lost their lives, hundreds of news outlets were covering the search and rescue efforts. After nearly 40 hours, a man was found clinging to an overturned craft. Minutes later, a soon-to-be debunked report had the workers also finding another man nearby. Is this the same as being wrong on a signing? Hell no. But, it is symptomatic of the same problem, and the result was the same: no one being held to a journalistic standard. Bullshit.

The David Beckham Situation: Actually, the less said here, the better.

The NBA's Burgeoning Financial Woes: It's already been said by someone with a larger audience than me (Bill Simmons). Though, I was out to lunch with someone like 4 days before this column ran , and I made the same points. Thus proving that I am some sort of sports genius. Or that I have my eyes open. Whatever.

Spring Training/The World Baseball Classic: Wow, the Dutch beat the Dominican Republic in an event where I couldn't name the prize if you paid me. Is it bad that during the Venezuela (I think)/USA game Saturday night, I was sitting with my friends Dallas and Justin, and we had a 25 minute debate as to where these games were actually taking place? Our final verdict was a tie between The Twilight Zone, the 'Lost' island, and The Land of the Lost. Is it also bad that our subsequent hour long debate as to which is the best television series of the three was infinitely more entertaining than the game itself?

Tiger Woods' Comeback, ARod's Karma, Jay Cutler vs. The Broncos, T.O. Trapped in Buffalo: Oh, no wait. I love all of these. Seriously, if any one of those four were a reality show, nothing could stop me from watching. Nothing.

Ok, there it is. I'm done bitching. For now. Now, back to your regularly scheduled blog that will be posted in a more timely manner for all to see and enjoy.

I Hate My Friends

*Warning: This is an unbelievably nerdy rant post. I promise to start making fun of sports, but I have to get this off my chest. You have been warned.*

One of my good friends PK has been pressuring me to dive into the cultural phenomenon that is the NBC vehicle Heroes. He knows I like comic books, and superpowers and all that jazz, so he figured it would be right down my alley. I have resisted for four main reasons:

1. I do like comic books. Alot. In fact, I would ascertain that my level of comic book nerdiness would drive me to look for and tear apart plot holes inherent to the story.
2. Jeph Loeb is intimately involved. He's done well in the past, with Batman: Long Halloween, and Batman: Hush, but recently? He brought me Ultimates 3. Damn you Loeb.
3. There are only a certain number of stories that are able to be told (thank you Akira Kurosawa), and I guaruntee that these idiots will retell ones I've read better elsewhere.
4. Did I mention Jeph Loeb? The man whose latest contribution to comic books is this? Seriously? You colored him a different color? Someone get this man another Eisner.

But, being an idiot and not listening to myself, I watched most of the first season. And you know what? I was 100% right. Teeming with plot holes (wait, how do Claire's powers work), exceedingly poor acting (I want Peter to explode. And never come back), and atrocious writing (Loeb...), this series is exactly what I didn't need to see. Thanks for nothing PK.

BUY THIS NOW!!!

The Wire Season 5 was released on DVD Tuesday. You need this series in your life.

Priceless

One More Chance

Okay NHL, here we go. Your dream match-up. The one that could actually save hockey. The franchise with the biggest United States following, one of the original six, versus The Franchise, Sid the Kid, featured on every piece of promotional material the League puts out. Is it safe to say that if this doesn't work nothing will? I know I'll be watching the Stanley Cup Finals, no matter what!

I mean, if I can find it. And if there isn't an NBA game on. Or anything good on ESPN Classic. Oh, but the NFL Network has been playing the best of the past season, so if nothing is good there, then I'll be watching the Cup, no matter what.

Prediction (Like anyone cares): Wings in 6.

Cutting The Wire

"Let's go home."

With those words, I and not nearly enough other people bid farewell to the greatest show ever to grace American television. I say American because I am sadly not versed in the television elsewhere, but I would bet this is the best thing put on television anywhere ever. I came late to the streets of Baltimore on the advice of friends, was sucked into the world through the hand of God that is OnDemand, devoured the previous four seasons, and eagerly awaited the glorisousness of season five.

David Simon and company did not disappoint.

Every week couldn't pass fast enough, as the creative staff behind this masterpiece kept me hanging on every moment, every twist, watching as they connected everything. A major criticism of the season was that the newspaper, the media, never connected to all that was going on in the streets. I contend that this was Simon's point: the media never seems to get what is really going on. Giving front page coverage to Clay Davis' slimy self, while the death of Proposition Joe, head of the New Day Co-Op gets a small mention inside the paper? To a fan, it seems inexcusable, but to the media, it makes sense. In his own way, Simon used this season as a commentary on not just the paper and media, but himself, and his show. He as good as admits that in trying to show these things that are so wrong, he missed what is really driving. But, at the end of the day, he tried.

I'm not going to recap the last episode, and all it meant, but the final montage really hit home for me. The show was never about the Jimmy McNultys, the Avon Barksdales, the Tommy Carcettis, the Bunny Colvins, the Omar Littles the Scott Templetons or the Marlo Stanfields. This show was about the systems that are in place that ultimately fail each one of these characters, that shape the flawed personas we end up seeing.

This show has been likened to a novel, with all the plots converging, and everything being connected. I don't know if the analogy holds, but I do know you rarely see a show be so daring to drop (arguably) the star charecter to the background for a whole season (McNulty in Season 4), and have it be hailed as the best body of work they had ever produced. My hat is off not only to Simon and his staff, but also to the cast of this show that took us to Baltimore every week, and did so with an unflinching eye of honesty. We saw it all; from the streets to the docks to the halls of power. From the classroom to the newsroom, The Wire was a microcosm as to why a lot of things in this country are the way they are, and it never lies to you and pretends there is an easy answer. But maybe, in the face of all this despair, there is a Cedric Daniels or a Bunny Colvin who really wants to change the system, to fix things at the source. Maybe there was some hope after all.

Further reading:

Interview with David Simon about the finale.

One of my favorite blogs' take on the end of The Wire.

My friends at The Bocker found some clips of classic Wire humor.

Extended interview about the whole series with the David Simon.

And below is the trailer for Season 5...go watch this entire series, and deny anything I've said regarding the greatness of this show. I dare you.

Yo Mike, how my hair look?

Way Too Excited

The unequivocally best show on television returns soon. If you haven't watched the previous four seasons, find a way to watch them before this one. The best thing to happen to American television ever is amazing, and you should get on board.

The Wire is a work of art, in the objective sense (as opposed to, "that's so good it's like a work of art"). It is an artist's viewpoint and his statement on our society. At least in my opinion, it is poignant because of its honesty and accuracy, in both its portrayal of what is, and its portrayal of what could be.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=O7HoWd7mY8E

That's the season 5 trailer. If you're a fan, and it doesn't get you hyped, just pop those cyanide pills and take a good, long nap.