02/15/2008 @ 12:04pm PST Friday Morning, February 15th! Presidents Day Weekend and we've got some fun videos for you. Plus the Daily News is the latest paper with a Charlie Tuna banner headline. "BUZZ" - McCartney-Mills still battling with their divorce & Actress Bai Ling arrested. "PHOTO GALLERY" - Malcolm David Kelley who plays young Walt on "Lost" in studio.
PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND COMING UP FOR YOU, HERE'S SOME VIDEOS!
AND A VIDEO WITH OVER A MILLION HITS, "AMAZING PRESIDENTIAL FACTS"
IS YOUR KID THIS SMART? THIS LITTLE GUY KNOWS THE PRESIDENTS & STATES
THANKS TO RICHARD WAGONER & DAILY NEWS FOR THIS
"BUZZ" has the latest on the McCartney-Mills Divorce Court details, Actress Bai Ling caught shoplifting, Oscars are a "go", the new Indiana Jones Movie trailer, and actor David Groh from "Rhoda" dies. "CLIPS" has my secret rapper career, "GALLERY" features young Walt from "Lost", Malcolm David Kelly, and "TALKBACK" shares some more of your memories and best wishes.
Thank You for all your emails and I'll try and catch up answering them over the next week. In the meantime, I'll talk to you on the radio (KRTH 101) all this weekend!
Charlie
02/14/2008 @ 12:45pm PST Thursday, February 14th! Today, the trivial things you didn't know and the origins behind Valentine's Day! And don't worry if you don't hear me, I've got today off from the radio! "BUZZ" American Idol cuts down to 24 semi-finalists & return dates for TV shows. "PHOTO GALLERY" Gloria Gaynor "I Will Survive" & "Never Can Say Goodbye" backstage with Charlie.
The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to the ancient Roman celebration of Lupercalia. Held on February 15, Lupercalia honored the gods Lupercus and Faunus, as well as the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. In addition to a bountiful feast, Lupercalia festivities are purported to have included the pairing of young women and men. Men would draw women's names from a box, and each couple would be paired until next year's celebration.
While this pairing of couples set the tone for today's holiday, it wasn't called "Valentine's Day" until a priest named Valentine came along. Valentine, a romantic at heart, disobeyed Emperor Claudius II's decree that soldiers remain bachelors. Claudius handed down this decree believing that soldiers would be distracted and unable to concentrate on fighting if they were married or engaged. Valentine defied the emperor and secretly performed marriage ceremonies. As a result of his defiance, Valentine was put to death on February 14.
After Valentine's death, he was named a saint. As Christianity spread through Rome, the priests moved Lupercalia from February 15 to February 14 and renamed it St. Valentine's Day to honor Saint Valentine.
SO WHAT'S LITTLE CUPID GOT TO DO WITH VALENTINE'S DAY?
According to Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Cupid was known to cause people to fall in love by shooting them with his magical arrows. But Cupid didn't just cause others to fall in love - he himself fell deeply in love.
As legend has it, Cupid fell in love with a mortal maiden named Psyche. Cupid married Psyche, but Venus, jealous of Psyche's beauty, forbade her daughter-in-law to look at Cupid. Psyche, of course, couldn't resist temptation and sneaked a peek at her handsome husband. As punishment, Venus demanded that she perform three hard tasks, the last of which caused Psyche's death.
Cupid brought Psyche back to life and the gods, moved by their love, granted Pysche immortality. Cupid thus represents the heart and Psyche the (struggles of the) human soul.
"About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged in US each year. That's the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.
"Women purchase 85% of all valentines.
"In order of popularity, Valentine's Day cards are given to teachers, children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets.
"Parents receive 1 out of every 5 valentines.
"About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.
"Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are the biggest holidays for giving flowers.
"Worldwide, over 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day each year.
"California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the vast number sold on Valentine's Day in the United States are imported, mostly from South America. Approximately 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period.
"73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.
"Men buy most of the millions of boxes of candy and bouquets of flowers given on Valentine's Day.
"In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.
"The Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine's Day.
"Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentines Day candy box in the late 1800s.
"Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone, an "Improvement in Telegraphy", on Valentine's Day, 1876.
"The oldest surviving love poem till date is written in a clay tablet from the times of the Sumerians, inventors of writing, around 3500 B.C
"Amongst the earliest Valentine's Day gifts were candies. The most common were chocolates in heart shaped boxes.
"In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a prospective suitor. If the gift is kept, then it means she has accepted his proposal of marriage
"If an individual thinks of five or six names considered to be suitable marriage partners and twists the stem of an apple while the names are being recited, then it is believed the eventual spouse will be the one whose name was recited at the moment the stem broke.
"In Medieval times, girls ate unusual foods on St Valentine's Day to make them dream of their future husband.
AND SOME VALENTINE'S DAY SUPERSTITIONS!
"If an apple is cut in half, the number of seeds found inside the fruit will indicate the number of children that individual will have.
"To be awoken by a kiss on Valentine's Day is considered lucky.
"On Valentine's Day, the first guy's name you read in the paper or hear on the TV or radio will be the name of the man you will marry.
"If you see a squirrel on Valentine's Day, you will marry a cheapskate who will hoard all your money.
"If you see a goldfinch on Valentine's Day, you will marry a millionaire.
"If you see a robin on Valentine's Day, you will marry a crime fighter - maybe they mean Batman!
"If you see a flock of doves on Valentine's Day, you will have a happy, peaceful marriage.
"If you find a glove on the road on Valentine's Day, your future beloved will have the other missing glove.
"BUZZ" American Idol's final 24 and the video, Henry Winkler testimony at the John Ritter trial, When are your favorite TV shows coming back, Jane Fonda with a word you can't say on TV on the Today Show, and more Britney madness. "CLIPS" Kids talk about the meaning of love, "GALLERY" features "I Will Survive" singing star Gloria Gaynor, and "TALKBACK" with still more reaction to my return to radio on KRTH 101.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Charlie
02/13/2008 @ 9:45am PST Wednesday Morning, February 13th! How does your brain work? Take the test, but don't cheat. See just how sharp your mind really is! Find out if you are a secret genius. "BUZZ"-Writers go back to work, American Idol video highlights & S.I.'s Cover Girl Video. "PHOTO GALLERY" - Actor, Comedian, TV star Danny Thomas in a vintage photo from 1970 with me at a St. Jude Children's Hospital rally.
One of the things I've always enjoyed about the radio is listeners sharing tidbits with me, and now with my website, I can also let you see their visual contributions. Here's one from one of my longtime fans, David Hatchel. It's a test for your brain!!!
"BUZZ" Writers going back to work today, Highlight clips from "American Idol" last night, Char headed back to the stage again, Dolly Parton can't because of a bad back, Another Hilton is arrested and jailed, Meet the Swimsuit Cover Girl from Sports Illustrated, and the Temptations play the White House (Don't miss the classic video clip too), "CLIPS" Charlie discusses the aging process, "GALLERY" has Actor, Comedian and TV star Danny Thomas, and "TALKBACK" with still dozens more emails out of the nearly 2000 welcoming me to KRTH!
I just want to send all you listeners my love and appreciation for helping me make one of the best decisions of my career in joining the KRTH staff. It's been a wonderful start!
Charlie
02/12/2008 @ 8:00am PST Tuesday Morning, February 12th! Want a good philosophy for the rest of your life, then get ready to change some things and read on! Plus an unbelievable hockey injury video! "BUZZ"-McCartney & Mills square off again in court , plus latest on the Writer's strike. "PHOTO GALLERY" - One of the greatest session drummers of all time, Hal Blaine in studio. Wait till you see his resume!
This was written by an 83 year old...The last line says it all.
I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom.
I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries..
I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary; if it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted.
I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles.
I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.
I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.
And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.
If you received this, it is because someone cares for you.
If you're too busy to take the few minutes that it takes right now to forward this, would it be the first time you didn't do the little thing that would make a difference in your relationships? I can tell you it certainly won't be the last.
Take a few minutes to send this to a few people you care about, just to let them know that you're thinking of them.
"People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there."
I don't believe in miracles. I rely on them.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
HEY, HAVE YOU SEEN THIS HOCKEY INJURY VIDEO EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT?
A BIG THANK YOU TO GARY LYCAN OF THE OC REGISTER FOR THIS PAST SUNDAY!
I've never seen a headline for me that big in my life...or my picture for that matter. Gary Lycan loves radio and I hope if you get the Orange County Register, you check it out his column every week, and for those who don't get the paper, you can get the online version at http://www.ocregister.com/column/earth-news-herbert-1976311-tuna-station
"BUZZ" today has the latest courtroom updates on the John Ritter wrongful death trial, and the Paul McCartney-Heather Mills divorce battle, plus the latest on the writers strike. Kirsten Dunst is confirmed to be in rehab, and Lenny Kravitz hospitalized. "CLIPS" with rules that guys have that they wish women knew, "PHOTO GALLERY" Hal Blaine, the greatest session drummer there ever was and who played with everyone from Elvis to Frank Sinatra. "TALKBACK" with more of all your welcoming emails. Thank You, I'm speechless. I just really appreciate your best wishes!
Charlie
02/11/2008 @ 9:05am PST Monday Morning, February 11th! My first weekend on the air in five months felt great! Thank you for all emails and calls to welcome me to KRTH 101.1 FM, my new home! "BUZZ"-Amy Winehouse picks up 5 Grammys and Herbie Hancock surprises everyone. "PHOTO GALLERY" - Singer Lenny Welch in studio with me, talking about his top 5 chart hit in 1963, "Since I Fell For You".
Whew! My first time back on the air in 5 months yesterday. Saturday, I spent kind of finding my way, and Sunday I began to really settle in and feel (as the sports metaphor goes) the game come to me. My comfort level improved dramatically the second day as I started to familiarize myself with the surroundings and technical aspects of the studio. It's a totally different computerized system than my last station, and in many ways almost the opposite of what I've been used to, so it's takes an adjustment in your mind. Here's what I had to say in a story that appeared today at the LARadio.com website.
SINCE KRTH IS A MODERN DAY EXTENSION TO MANY OF YOU OF THE ORIGINAL RADIO GIANT 93/KHJ, HERE'S A 1967 SURVEY COVER FROM 1967'S "BIG 93"!
"BUZZ" today has all the Grammy highlights from last night and a link to the complete winner's list, Actor Roy Scheider of "Jaws" fame is dead, the writer's strike may finally be ending and "Fool's Gold" tops the movie list. "CLIPS" features clips from on air phone calls this past weekend while I was on the air. "PHOTO GALLERY" has singer Lenny Welch of "Since I Fell For You" fame with me in studio. "TALKBACK" with some of the first emails I received when it was announced I was going to KRTH, and some of the first emails after my weekend of broadcasts. There are nearly 2000 that I'll try to answer over the next couple of weeks.
Thank You Again for your warm welcome back to the airwaves, and I'm on this week too for vacationing Joshua Escandon from 1 to 4 p.m. through Friday.
Charlie
02/08/2008 @ 2:15pm PST Friday Afternoon, February 8th! What A Day Yesterday Back on the Radio! I'm now officially debuting on K-Earth 101 this weekend, Saturday 9am - 2pm, Sunday 10am - 3pm! "BUZZ"-Grammys this weekend, Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson performing?? "PHOTO GALLERY" - Legendary comedian, musician, writer and TV host, the late Steve Allen with me just a year before his unexpected death.
I'm running a little late with my website update today because of an avalanche of email and calls since I was introduced as the newest personality on KRTH - 101.1FM yesterday.
Here's How some of the press covered the announcement! First LARadio.com
Gary Lycan, Radio Columnist for the Orange County Register
All Access.com reported
I will respond to all the emails I received, but it's going to take awhile. Over a 1000 came in in the first 5 hours after the announcement. The reason I want to thank each and every one of you is because you are the ones who helped me make this career decision which has turned out to be the best one of my career, based on all the early reaction from everywhere.
Meantime, today's "BUZZ" with the Grammy countdown on and Amy Winehouse will appear via satellite, and a strong rumor that Michael Jackson will help open the show. More Britney video, Heidi Fliess mugshot and story, and end of Writer's strike in sight. "CLIPS" highlights of my "Mystery Guest" debut on K-Earth 101 yesterday morning, "GALLERY" Legendary comedian, musician, writer and TV host Steve Allen and I pictured just a year before his untimely death, and "TALKBACK" posts the first couple of dozen emails yesterday morning after the announcement of my new station. There will be hundreds more to come over the next week, I can't do all of them (they're approaching 2000), but will do as many as possible for you to see.
THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL WELCOME BACK TO THE AIRWAVES, AND I'LL TALK TO YOU SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MORNING ON THE RADIO THIS WEEKEND AGAIN!
Charlie
02/07/2008 @ 9:00am PST Thursday Morning, February 7th! Today, as you can see, right above this headline, where you can hear me! The story in today's "NEWS", and how you can win a tour of KRTH! "BUZZ" - Britney out of Hospital again, wait till you see video, & Kirsten Dunst in rehab. "PHOTO GALLERY" - Flashback to 1970 with actor Dennis Cole and Charlie in a Gladiator's Outfit, plus singer Jewel in studio!
Well, as you now know, I'll be officially joining the staff of K-Earth 101 here in Los Angeles. My regular shift will be on the weekends from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. on Sunday, plus filling in where needed, much like a “sixth” man in the NBA. Matter of fact, after my debut this weekend, I’ll be in for Joshua Escandon all next week beginning Monday, from 1 to 4 p.m., and later on in the month, Gary Bryan's taking February 18th (President's Day) and February 29th off, so I’ll be waking you up 5 to 10 a.m. too on K-Earth 101!
There were a couple of other station opportunities in the market that didn’t work out, because I think in my heart of hearts, it was time to actually join the station everyone seems to think I’ve worked for. Even in your emails, a clear majority indicated you thought I should be on KRTH. And with all the memories of KHJ that you mentioned, it was an easy choice in the end. KRTH is a modern day extension of that KHJ brand in the L.A. Market. Even my Charlie Tuna jingle that I’m starting with this weekend (a new one is being recorded this week as I speak), is the original KHJ sing edited to the KRTH 101 jingle. It’s a perfect fit, the same way I feel about KRTH for me. You can play the jingle here by clicking on the black arrow below.
We’re planning a number of special promotions and perks for all of you who join me in the switch to KRTH 101, if you aren’t already there, including a personal station tour by me and KRTH goodie bags for being my guest. But you have to sign up with MYK-Earth101’s All Access Club to be eligible, so click on the link http://www.kearth101.com/ and you’ll be one of my fan favorites right away for future fun and prizes. Remember you can take us along anywhere in the world with our website, just click to listen.
Robert W. Morgan and I had several conversations about KRTH just before he passed away 10 years ago, and he told me then I belonged at KRTH. It didn’t happen at that time, but a decade later, Jhani Kaye, the Program Director of KRTH, echoed that same sentiment when we talked in January, and he said “Charlie, you know this is where you belong.” I do....and that’s where I’ll be beginning this Saturday, February 9th at 9 a.m. And to mark my first show, since it’s the anniversary of the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, I’ll be playing my famous KHJ earthquake tape that hit just as I signed on the air at 6:00 a.m. back then. I still get chills when you hear my prophetic words 40 seconds before the 6.6 quake struck, and the record trying to track on the turntable. Oddly enough, the group playing was Rare Earth!
It’s going to be a fun ride and I hope you’ll join me at KRTH 101! I have a lot of longtime friends there already, from Dan Weiner, the General Manager to Jhani Kaye, the Program Director, to the entire staff of KRTH personalities. It’s an all-star group of people, and the home of the greatest hits on earth!
SINCE I MENTIONED KHJ PLAYING A BIG PART IN MY DECISION, THOUGHT YOU'D ENJOY ANOTHER PHOTO I FOUND OF THE 1970 KHJ ROSE PARADE FLOAT!
(Boss Jocks pictured from left to right, Scotty Brink, Robert W. Morgan, Sam Riddle, The Real Don Steele, Humble Harve, Charlie Tuna, Bill Wade, and Johnny Williams.
"BUZZ"-Britney Spears leaves Hospital and we've got the video, Kirsten Dunst checks into rehab, Amy Winehouse questioned about drug video and video of Eli Manning on Letterman last night. "CLIPS" has Comedian/Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham with his cranky old man puppet Walter, who are pictured in the COMEDIANS section of the "PHOTO GALLERY" which today features actor Dennis Cole at the 1970 Hollywood Artists and Models Ball where he was a judge as well as myself dressed up in a real Gladiator's outfit, plus Singer Jewel in studio, and "TALKBACK" with listener comments and questions.
More updates to come! Locally the KRTH announcement today is just the beginning of a great relationship with a top Los Angeles radio station! Nationally I'm in discussions for syndication around the country with another longtime friend in the radio business. Stay Tunaed!
Charlie
02/06/2008 @ 11:40am PST Wednesday Morning, February 6th! Super Tuesday voting results! While the pundits speculate, the cartoons say a lot more than the analysis and I've got a bunch for you! "BUZZ" - Heath Ledger's death-an accident, and the latest explosive details on Britney! "PHOTO GALLERY" - Adoni Maropis, who played the terrorist Abu Fayed on "24" and Comedian/Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham
"SUPER TUESDAY" WINNERS & LOSERS! HERE'S SOME OF THE BEST CARTOONS
"BUZZ" Heath Ledger's death was an accident, wild stories and details about Sam Lufti's power over Britney Spears, Vanity Fair Oscar Party cancelled, Brad and Angelina get a kidnap threat to their biological child Shiloh, TV ratings with "American Idol" clips from last night, and video of late night TV Feud. "CLIPS" - Part 2 of my visit with Matthew Lesko and how to get free stuff, "GALLERY" - Adoni Maropis, who played the terrorist Abu Fayed on "24", plus Comedian/Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham. "TALKBACK" retirement questions and listener memories.
I'm going outside to soak up the sunshine!
Charlie
02/05/2008 @ 10:10am PST Tuesday Morning, February 5th! Super Tuesday, Two dozen states across the nation head to the polls today, and if you don't think one vote makes a difference, read my list today! "BUZZ" - Britney's Boyfriend, Writers strike end in sight, and Lindsay Lohan talks! "PHOTO GALLERY" - Singer Donna Summer and her gold record, plus the founder of the Pussycat Dolls, Robin Antin!
Today is Super Tuesday, with hundreds of delegates at stake, and California's results will have a huge impact on the the battle for the White House. And if you don't think one vote can make a difference.....read on!
*1820 One electoral college vote kept President James Monroe from being elected president without dispute when he ran for a second term in 1820. He was so popular that all but one of the members of the electoral college voted for him. John Quincy Adams cast the one vote against Monroe. Adams stated that the reason he did this was "to make certain that only George Washington would ever have the honor of being elected President by a unanimous vote."
*1845 One vote made Texas one of the United States. In 1845, the Republic of Texas asked to become part of the United States. Many Americans, however, feared that another southern state would bring trouble. When the Senate voted on this issue, a tie occurred. Then one senator changed his vote, and by this single vote, Texas became the 28th state.
*1846 One vote decided on war with Mexico. In 1846, the Mexican army invaded Texas and President Polk asked for a Declaration of War. The Senate did not want to go to war, and the declaration passed by only one vote. The United States won the war against Mexico and with that victory added five states Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and California.
*1867 One vote gave the United States the state of Alaska. The Alaska Purchase of 1867 was ratified by just one vote paving the way for the territory to be America's largest state when it became part of the United States in 1958.
*1868 One vote saved President Andrew Johnson from being removed from office. The House brought charges of impeachment against Johnson, but the Senate, which decides impeachment cases, found him innocent by one vote. Impeachment is the first step by which officials, such as the president, may be removed from office. President Johnson was not convicted by the Senate and therefore he was not removed from office.
*1876 One vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency of the United States. In the 1876 presidential election, Samuel Tilden received a half million more popular votes than Hayes. The electoral college was not in agreement about who should be America's next leader. A special commission was formed to make the final decision. The commission decided, although Hayes had lost the actual vote by the citizens of the United States, he had won the electoral vote by just one ballot: 185 to 184.
*1916 One vote in each of the voting districts of California reelected President Wilson. If Wilson's opponent, Charles E. Hughes, had received an additional vote in each one of California's voting precincts, he would have defeated Wilson.
*1948 One vote per voting precinct gave Harry S. Truman the presidency. If Truman's opponent, Thomas E. Dewey, had received one vote more per precinct in Ohio and California, there would have been a tie and the House of Representatives would have decided the election. And because Dewey had more support in the House than Truman, Dewey would have won.
*1960 One vote per voting precinct would have elected Richard Nixon rather than John F. Kennedy president.
*2000 The election on November 7, 2000, was the closest presidential race in history. In the final count, Governor George W. Bush of Texas won by 4 electoral votes, but Vice President Al Gore had won the popular vote by 337,576 votes. Bush was the first presidential candidate in more than a century to win the presidency while losing the popular vote. The deciding factor in Bush winning the election was a victory in Florida by just 537 votes over Gore!
"BUZZ" today has Britney's boyfriend speaking out, Lindsay Lohan finally talking, and the writer's strike may end this week. "CLIPS" Matthew Lesko tells you how to get a whole bunch of stuff from the government for free! "GALLERY" has Donna Summer getting a gold record from me, and Robin Antin, the founder of the Pussycat Dolls in studio. "TALKBACK" with some very loyal listeners and one remembers an untimely report about Santa Claus on my show.
Don't forget to vote today! Your ballot just might shape history!
Charlie
02/04/2008 @ 11:22am PST Monday Morning, February 4th! Super Bowl 42 lived up to the hype, a game many are calling the best one ever, & the big reason the Giants and a Budweiser Commercial won! "BUZZ" - SuperBowl Super ratings, your favorite commercials, & Britney's extended stay. "PHOTO GALLERY" - Two singers today, a giant singing star of the 50's - Eddie Fisher, and Bobby Caldwell who took me to lunch before he was famous!
Wow! What a game yesterday. Most everyone is saying Super Bowl 42 was the best one ever! So many times they're just blowouts, but yesterday, with the drama already built in to see if the New England Patriots could complete a perfect season with the New York Giants a big underdog, it delivered the unexpected.
I had hinted on Friday, (if you scroll down), that the Giants just might pull a huge upset, and you could see from the outset of the game that they had the mind-set that they were not going to be denied. Human nature is a curious catalyst that when you tell someone they have no chance, if the talent is there to compete, they can indeed accomplish the impossible. It reminded me of UCLA's football team a couple of years ago before the USC game where no one gave the Bruins a chance, the question was just how big the margin of victory would be for USC. UCLA got no respect from anyone.....except me, when we the had the annual USC/UCLA cheerleaders and bands in studio, and I had said that day that I sensed an upset on Saturday simply because of all the trash talking and disrespect toward UCLA, and sure enough, the Bruins came up with the shocker.
America loves to root for the underdog, especially if they know the underdog is working harder than ever to become the new champion. My favorite commercial during the game yesterday turned out to be America's favorite in the Annual Ad Meter rankings (See today's "BUZZ" for the Top 10 commercials America voted for). It was the story of a Budweiser Clydesdale who never got picked for the famous Budweiser team of horses that pulls the beerwagon. But with the help of his new friend, the Budweiser Dalmatian who sensed his disappointment, they trained together with a "Rocky" attitude and made the team. Here's the spot in case you missed it.
Watching the Patriots fail in their bid for a 19-0 record yesterday, it reminded me that in all my years of coaching my kids in soccer, baseball and basketball, I had only one perfect season, my son Bryan's Balboa Park All-Star Soccer Team when he was 12 years old. They won the Southern California AYSO championship defeating an AYSO All-Star team that played as a Club Team in the off-season and had a record of 100 wins and 3 losses in club play. That was a big challenge to play a team that good, but we finished the season with a 3-0 win over them. The unexpected and best part of the day was when the game finished, their coach and the referees came over and congratulated me on the best group of young men, when it came to sportsmanship, they had ever seen play. Those comments meant more to me than the championship that day. They truly were a special group of kids who just had that drive, desire and work ethic to be at their best every game that season! It's not easy to be perfect, believe me, as the Patriots now know.
"BUZZ" today with Super Bowl highlights on the field and the commercials, Britney's at UCLA for another 2 weeks, Angelina Jolie's still not confirming pregnancy, Kate Moss perfume, and Eva Mendes in rehab. "CLIPS" another season of "Lost" kicked off last week and my visit with "Sawyer"-Josh Holloway in his first season on the series, "GALLERY" with pictures of Eddie Fisher, a huge singing star of the 50's, who was married to Connie Stevens, Elizabeth Taylor and Debbie Reynolds and fathered 3 Hollywood actresses, plus Bobby Caldwell, who took me to lunch before he was famous, trying to get his record played. "TALKBACK" has a hometown link, a club invitation and a special Thank You.
Thank You too. I'll have an announcement toward the end of this week!
