boobaJONES

space monkey - @boobaJONES

[boobajones]

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Last Week Tonight

[boobajones]

Knowledge is Power. That old cliche has been around for a long time. I remember hearing it when I was still a child. When you hear things like that as a kid, you don't fully process what the meaning of such a sentence is. It sounds pretty straight forward, however, it really is not. I comprehend that now, in a stark way that I hadn't or couldn't at previous points in my life. I wasn't drawn to reading, news, or information (other than sports) during my adolescence. The same nonchalant attitude was on full display while I navigated through high school too. It was only during my early twenties that I started to unpeel the vastness of knowledge available to consume, digest and proliferate. Through books, websites, magazines, TV and podcasts, I made my main hobby GAINING KNOWLEDGE. The topic, for the most part, become somewhat inconsequential. It was more about what tidbits of intelligence, morsels or knowledge, or pieces of advice I could glean and recycle into purposeful utilization within the various avenues of my life. Reading, which I now legitimately adore, was surely the toughest nut to crack for my younger self, mainly because I acquired a bad habit of slacking when it came to reading in any fashion. If only I had the same love I currently do, who knows how much wider my spectrum of knowledge would be. While I attended college for a few years, it didn't have much of an impact on me. Nowadays, listening to truly college-educated people talk about a random pop culture topic can make me feel unbelievably inferior. I find myself sheepishly googling various entities all the time, because I just don't know what they quantify. But now, after the past decade of allowing my reading ability to let loose at the buffet line, going full tilt obese, I have a completely altered way of thinking. I read books weekly now, encompassing a plethora of genres, topics, styles and page size. The days of anxiety at the sight of a thick book has vanished. I so enjoy being thrown into a wonderful take and losing myself for hours on end. The internet has been a huge factor in my growing knowledge too. It can't be understated. Twitter, in the past 7 years, has surely pushed me light years ahead of where I had been. I am on the web every day, every hour, scouring for the newest stories and discussions that are happening at the moment, to ensure I am somewhat educated, at least to a basic level. I refuse myself to lag behind as I once did my former iteration. The habitual addiction I have to Twitter has made a fallback nearly impossible. I am so grateful to have this fantastic treasure trove of information available so easily. Of course, being on Twitter also allows me to taste a little bite from every news source and outlet, each packaging the info in their own ways. I used to be a much bigger magazine guy too, but that started to subside in about 2005, when I simply couldn't deal with the delayed consumption. Now, in 2016, most articles are online instantly anyway, so who needs subscriptions at this point. Website columns were my natural progression when I started weening off magazines, but those unlimited posts became so ubiquitous that I had to start being somewhat stuck up and curtailing what I would allot time to. Today, I have a handful of daily visits that I enjoy, while sprinkling in various other pieces along the way. Visualization is key too. Television, Film, YouTube have all become pillars of pop culture and entertainment in today's age. Besides the basic level of enjoyment, you can now multiply the possibilities of knowledge available on these mediums. Documentaries, reality TV, news, clips - each can offer its own reward. However, Podcasts have been a unilateral game changer in this field. Just visit the iTunes Store. You can browse through thousands of different programs and shows. If you want to brush up on Politics, that's fine. If you want to laugh, their Comedy channel is epic. A sports fanatic? There are dozens of niche podcasts to satiate your most intricate desires. I enjoy spinning a bunch of different podcasts throughout my week, never staying in one lane for too long. So I may start off with some Adam Carolla, getting a kickass take of the world today, giggling as Aceman rants away. Then jump over to one of Bill Simmons various podcasts from his The Ringer network. After that, maybe it's FiveThirtyEight or Freakonomics or TED Talks. Yahoo sports, Television-centric shows, Film Preview podcasts. You can literally spend hours on end looking of your new favorite show. I use every moment I have to enlarge my knowledge by always walking around with my wireless Beats by Dre. As such, I typically have a podcast steaming thru my ears, regardless of whatever activity I happen to be into. Walking, doing laundry, eating a meal, commuting, just laying in bed - you can all become smarter via podcasts. Do so at your own scheduled and leisure. It slowly grows on you until, as for me, podcasts become a crux of my daily life. I barely listen to music, it nearly always podcasts. I have a thirst for knowing as much as I can, and popping in a pod during basic lulls, has a uniquely strong reverberation. The point is, if you are attune to the copious variety of wisdom available to you, for FREE, the possibilities of where this newfound knowledge can take you is endless. Of course, the biggest key to knowing all this information and trivial facts only pays dividends if you APPLY IT. That's the most important aspect of the entire transaction of page to brain. Just like the iconic scene from "Seinfeld", where Jerry debates the merits of a 'Reservation' with the car rental agent, anyone can take the knowledge. It only means something when you actually put it to good use, making the toiling digestible. I have always been fond a quote from the film "The Girl Next Door", in which Timothy Olyphant utters the wonderful line - "You've got to ask yourself, 'Is the juice worth the squeeze?'". That is perfect description to how I relate to knowledge. For me, it is always worth the squeeze, but just know that all that hand-wringing may pay off sometime down the road, all the while just maintaining it location in the deep recesses of your mind. Regardless, you will surely be a step ahead of where you had been prior to the fresh knowledge you just gained.

[boobajones]

After checking in the four Eastern Conference series yesterday, it is time to take a glance at the Western side of the playoff bracket. Even though two of those series have already culminated, there is still a bunch of topics to touch on. But last night's Game 5 in Toronto warrants a brief mention. For a Raptors team that has annually succumbed to poor play the past few postseasons, last night's ridiculous comeback in the 4Q was mightily impressive to watch. Entering that final stanza, you wouldn't have even thought this same Raptor squad could perform at the fantastic level they did in those final 12 minutes. But that's why they play the game. Indiana, which had totally dominated from the outset, utterly combusted in the fourth quarter. Frank Vogel teams don't typically have such lackluster turnabouts. His insistence to trot out a questionable five man unit was puzzling at the time and even more so today in retrospect. Maybe he had info on Paul George being hurt or gassed, doesn't matter now though. They find themselves facing elimination tomorrow night in Nap Town. Larry Legend looked distraught in the stands. These guys surely have heart, but their lesser talent overall may cause their offseason to begin sooner than they had hoped. Time will tell... Now, onto today's task at hand - the NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE. #1 WARRIORS vs. #8 Rockets: In an unexpected rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals, we find ourselves entering tonight's Game 5 offering the same fate as last Spring, with Golden State closing it out in five games. Even without the reigning MVP on the roster this evening, G State should have enough, in front of their awesome fans at the Oracle, to stomp out their annoying opponent. They need to make sure they secure the W too. Because they can use all the extra time allotted to them, giving Curry extra days to heal. Not to mention that the Clippers basically disintegrated on Monday night in Portland, allowing the Blazers to tie the series, and keep it going. As for Houston, their collective reaction to Harden's Game 3 winner said everything you need to know. These lazy and disinterested losers are more invested in their cruises and vacations later this week. The rumor of Jeff Van Gundy being brought back to H-Town as coach this offseason does cause me pause, though, because I don't want this putrid squad to improve. I cannot stand either Harden nor Howard. Chumps. #2 SPURS vs. #7 Grizzlies: In what was the easiest predictive result thus far, the Spurs absolutely breezed past the injury-laden crew from Memphis. There wasn't even a shadow of question in any of the four games; it was basically a 3 game sweep, that's how beatdown it was. San Antonio is in prime form, healthy and rested, which should prove vital as they prepare to face their next opponent in the Conference Semi-Finals. While the Spurs and Coach Pop have a distinct advantage over the Thunder and Coach Donovan, you still can not take KD and RW lightly. This should be the BEST 2nd series, no question. Should be fun!! #3 THUNDER vs. #6 Mavericks: It was a hell of season, Mavs. Couldn't have really expected more with the squad we entered the playoffs with. Injuries simply took a harsh toll on this veteran team this season. Dirk is still Dirk though, so I expect Mark Cuban to reload this offseason. Speaking of Cuban, his comments about Westbrook prior to yesterday's closeout game surely didn't help Dallas' cause, but I don't think it made that big of a difference either. Durant and RW are 2 of the Top 5 players in the entire world and their talent is scary. They proved themselves a bit after locking up the series in 5, not allowing the Mavs to elongate the series, and trying to overcome their dreadful regular season end of game play. They won't be as lucky with SA. #4 CLIPPERS vs. #5 Blazers: Here's where the shit goes ham! Many thought this could be a feisty series before they tipped off for Game 1, but most still gave the decided advantage to Los Angeles. Home Court, CP3, Blake, and the rest should be enough to defeat an overachieving young team from the greater NorthWest. But then, within a matter of 15 minutes, both Chris Paul and Blake Griffin each suffered season-ending injuries that will, for all intents and purposes, stick a fork in their quest for a ring. I don't see any way that the Clippers can overcome losing their best two players, dudes among the cream of the league, especially against an amped up Blazers team that playing with house money and an abundance of youthful exuberance. Portland coach Terry Stots, who ended 2nd in the Coach of the Year voting, has been marvelous this season building up an extremely raw collection of players, who themselves couldn't have imagined to be in this scenario back in November. Just shows the charisma and leadership that Damian Lillard has, making this jump even remotely possible. I love the way this team plays together and their home court/fans is probably second to only Golden State. Really hope they secure this series win to help mature their growth for next season. Beating the Warriors seems like a pipe dream, but depending on Curry's availability, their dreams could become a reality during this run. I'm very intrigued to watch it all play out over the coming weeks. #BALLNIGHT

[boobajones]

After quite a lackluster start to the NBA's second season, the action on the court has really amped up within the past few days. I had entered the Playoffs anticipating that the First Round would be rather weak, based solely on the eventual match-ups that conformed as season's end. The slate of games during the first week of the playoffs basically went according to form, with a sporadic road team winning a game here and there. But then, over the weekend, shit got really real for a handful of franchises, players and fan bases. So I wanted to quickly touch on each series, SHOOTAROUND Style, just to spotlight the optics of each match-up. Today I'll cover the East, tomorrow the West. LET'S GOOOOOOO! EASTERN CONFERENCE - #1 CAVS vs. #8 Pistons: To quote legendary Anchorman Ron Burgundy, "Boy, that escalated quickly." After entering the playoffs for the first time in ages, the Pistons played an energetic opening game at Cleveland. However, that seemed to be the extent of their fight. Detroit, who I thought at 100-1 odds to win the East was a somewhat defensible flier bet, surely gained from the experience, but overall, it wasn't a good look. Now, these are young dudes trying to grow as a team, under the tutelage of Stan Van Gundy, so regression is expected. But this offseason should allow these players to hone in on their mental games as well as their post moves. Getting swept is just discouraging. As for the Cavs, they did exactly what we all expected them to. LBJ doesn't typically turn it on full tilt until the later rounds. This time, you could tell things didn't follow that script. Maybe it was SVG comments in his Game 1 mid-game interview, or Stanley Johnson opening his yap a tad too much, or simply The King wanting some extra time off. Regardless, the Cavaliers cruised and are now awaiting their next opponent. Having said that, I still think there is a weakness in this squad that COULD be exploited by another Eastern team, but it doesn't seem likely. Still don't think they can beat the eventual Western Champion, but we'll see. #2 RAPTORS vs. #7 Pacers: I love Kenny "The Jet" Smith and his TNT cohorts, but I don't know much longer I can keep yelling his infamous "GIMME SOME RAPTOR NEWS" if these dudes keep shitting the bed every postseason. After getting swept last season, they finally managed to get a Playoff W in Game 2 in the Air Canada Centre. Of course, this being their franchise's best season, we were all hoping to see them come out strong and dominate in Game 1. Well, Raptors gonna Raptor. Derozen has been a shell of himself throughout the first 4 games, which sits at 2-2 before Game 5 tonight. Lowry has been somewhat disappointing as well. The bigger issue for Ujiri's team besides how their run plays out in the coming weeks, is whether to lock up DD to a max deal, when other teams will surely be offering hefty sums of money (i.e. Lakers). Seeing him in another underplayed playoff situation doesn't sit right with me if I am hinging serious potential on his shoulders. Tonight should be the biggest game in their franchise history, which doesn't say much, so let's see how they show up. Frank Vogel's bunch, though, is playing focused ball on both ends, making up for their limits, by trying so hard. Paul George is an absolute stud - stoked to see him back at his pre-injury levels, maybe even eclipsing it. Fun! #3 HEAT vs. #6 Hornets: Somehow, this Heat squad has managed to really overachieve this season. Even though they tied with the Hawks, Celtics and Hornets, they had the tie breaker and thus are the 3 Seed in a season when Chris Bosh missed a huge chuck of time. Add onto that that Dragic has been deplorable since moving to South Beach, Wade's random games off, incorporating Joe Johnson and their solid rookies - makes for a wild mix. At this point, this series is also knotted at 2-2, which seems kind of surprising because of how good Miami looked in the first two games. But Charlotte is one of the best coached teams in the entire league; Steve Clifford needs some love for his stellar work. I am not sure who will end up winning this series and moving on. Kemba and Wade both have that magical playoff gene, so either can take over on any given night. I would prefer the Hornets because I can't stand the Heat, but I fear that Miami may be the lone Eastern team with a plausible chance of beating Cleveland. Should be an exciting Best of 3 from now. #4 HAWKS vs. #5 Celtics: Prior to the first tip-off this playoffs, this would have been the most chosen series to have the lower seed win. Once Avery Bradley went down for the remainder of the season early in the series, the odds should have squarely fallen on Coach Bud and his Hawks. Well, this isn't last season's Atlanta Hawks team. Boston's coach Brad Stevens has been unreal in these four games, with his phenomenal game planning and in-game adjustments. He has had the better of Bud until this point, which isn't surprising, but is still worth noting. Both teams are so much fun to watch, particularly some of their creative offensive sets, but again, I fear that either victor will simply be four game fodder for Lebron and company. Stevens' ingenuity does quasi-intrigue me though. Go Green! Tomorrow... PART II (The Western Conference)

[boobajones]

I was in the midst of a year abroad after graduating high school when "The Matrix" was released. Me and my mates had no clue as to what the film was, we simply went to the local theaters to waste away an afternoon. What transpired over the next two hours plus completely engrossed each of our minds for days afterwards. The wicked story of NEO, the unbeknownst chosen one, living in a dilapidated future, who would be the eventual savior and defeat those evil entities, was justifiably a game-changing film for its time. In a similar vein, many have touted the "Harry Potter" series as their touchstone tale. I never got into that world, mostly because I wasn't such an avid reader 15 years ago as I am today. Since then, "The Hunger Games" has quenched my thirst for this type of youth hero story telling. The trilogy of books were fantastic and vastly outperformed their movie counterparts. Now though, my new favorite book of the moment is "Ready Player One", a story I devoured last weekend, at a rapid pace. From first time author Ernest Cline, we are presented with an excellent melding of story, pop culture, character and humor, intensity and a bucket of wit. As is the norm with this type of genre, we are set in the myopic future of 2044, in an America very different than the one we live in today. In order to distract themselves, virtually the entire population has joined the newest iteration of the internet, entitled OASIS. It is a virtual universe that allows anyone to interact via their avatar, by simply donning a sleek visor and corespondent gloves. But there are rules and limits to what you can do while logged on. Life has been this way for some time, just moving along. That is, until the one of the world's wealthiest men, James Halliday, who happens to also be the preeminent video game creator in history, dies. Upon the news of his death, of which the entire OASIS is aware of (being his most precious creation), it seems this hermit-like billionaire has been planning for just this very occurrence. His life's work had been his immense love of video games, puzzles, movies and pop culture - 80's pop culture to be specific - so he decided he wanted the entire planet to get in on the fun too. His dying wish is to commence a most epic scavenger hunt, open to all who care to join, to find his 3 mystery clues that lead to Easter Egg hidden somewhere is the endlessness of the OASIS. But it is a hapless teenager, Wade Watts (a.k.a. Parzival) who is our unexpected hero. When this high school loner stumbles upon the first clue, only then do the true stakes make themselves known, as the race is on, and nobody is to be trusted. Everyone is searching for a way to get their hands on the Easter Egg. Watts must be fleet, quick, daring and knowledgeable in order to get through the cavalry of "egg hunters" (or "gunters") who have him squarely set as their target. He even had a few peers who both compete and attempt to help him along the way. In addition to that, his biggest obstacle may be the evil Innovative Online Industries (IOI) who is utilizing any loophole they can to grab the prize, which would allow them to solely control the OASIS and dictate the world's connectivity. I'm someone who is deeply into pop culture, TV and films, on top of the fact that I just love a great suspense story. Also, I was born in 1981, so basically all these references him home for me. This is a wild thrill ride for any age reader. Being a first novel by Cline is even more impressive, once you see what a masterful grasp he has from the first page. Each chapter makes you want to burn through another just as fast - superb exciting throughout. What's even cooler is that this book has been green-lit for theatrical film release in March 2018. None other than Steven Spielberg grabbed the opportunity to direct this gnarly flick. The movie's cast of actors keeps growing by the day, as initial filming is slated to begin around now. This is a stupendous read - Ready, Set, Go!

[boobajones]

If I recall my teenage years, I can remember very clearly having to work the VCR to record a specific show or episode, otherwise I would have missed it. Life was much different in the 90's; today's various methods of entertainment would have exploded my mind. You literally had to schedule your life around the TV Guide. It didn't matter what you wanted to watch. NBC's Must See TV was called that for a reason! I had tapes upon tapes in my closet, constantly recording over them when needed. "Seinfeld" was a favorite VCR show of mine; "Jerry Springer" was a mainstay during my high school years too. Comedy specials, award shows, sporting events - I simply needed to have a record for later viewing. The FOMO I deal with can be traced back to my early adolescence. Being a crafty individual, I was able to satisfy my cravings utilizing those archaic devices. Well, in 2016, consuming Television is a completely different game than it used to be. In the same way the NBA is so starkly altered from its 90's iteration, so is TV watching. Today, nearly every network maintains its own app, offering full episodes of its original content programs and other licensed ones too. In addition, Streaming Services have basically taken over the entire landscape. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon are the current titans of their industry. Their reach is immensely global, engaged by millions of people, on a plethora of viewing devices. Cord cutting will only continue to rise in the future. I have fallen so hard for these swift modalities because it allows me to dictate how and when I watch. I am no longer constricted to the network's imposed confines. Seasons are released in full now, allowing Binge-Watching to skyrocket. I mean, I remember reading articles or seeing news stories about the present in the late 90's and early 00's. At the time, I felt it sounded like a dream - being able to be totally entertained at any moment without the need for a giant obtuse television set. Just mind-blowing. Of course, I was exactly correct. I am addicted. I knew I would be. There was no doubt. Well, the addiction I had been handling just got a major shock to the system. About 3 weeks ago, somehow I had missed this, I found out that Amazon Video, which streams a bevy of shows and films, now allows the outstanding option of Downloading any particular show or movie you want. Let me repeat that - you can download any item on their service to your device for later viewing, sans the need for WiFi or Data to stream it. This is an absolute GAME-CHANGER!!!! In the weeks since I made this landmark discovery, I have completely upended my daily commute. I used to exclusively listen to podcasts in the AM and listen while writing a blog post on the return home. Now, though, I have made my direct objective to clear my "To Watch" list of shows that Amazon offers within their library. First show I crossed off was "Catastrophe" Season 2. Then was the brilliant and thrilling Arctic drama "Fortitude", which I wrote about yesterday. Next up is Season 3 of "The Americans", picking up where I had left off during its live run on FX, at a time when I was suffocating under too much TV. Now, I can finish what I started, yes because I am quasi-OCD and I need to get it done, but also, because the show is so rich in character and intriguing in plot. Excited to continue. Also, my buddy Ike has been hawking "Downton Abby" to me for about a month, so I downloaded the series pilot which I hope to check out next week. None of that even touches on the Travel aspect of being able to download media on Amazon. I fly quite often and WiFi is not always available, even if it is, not always strong enough for your needs. Now, I can prep myself for any trip by loading my iPhone with films or shows. I will not be bored ever again while on a plane or in an airport. Seriously, I cannot emphasize enough what a touchstone feature this is. Jeff Bezos is a man who doesn't follow, he leads. His drive for dominance and excellence drives his innovation; this new option is a perfect example of that strategy. Really hoping that Netflix, at the very least, and Hulu get on the same page as Amazon. Being able to have those treasure troves of entertainment available for download as well would be wicked. In the time being, start crossing of your own lists.

[boobajones]

"All that snow, the icicles, the reindeer, don't let that mislead you: this is not Christmas." From the opening moment of "Fortitude", my very first thought was in relation to the vast beauty and sheer wilderness of the Arctic location this story is set in. As I watched that pilot episode, as well as several more from there, I kept trying to articulate the feeling I had about this story, not able to fully put it in words. It was the quote above, uttered by DCI Morton (within a fantastic performance by Stanley Tucci) in a later episode, that alleviated the angst I had in deciphering my feelings. That sentence perfectly articulates the thru line of this thrilling tale. The season aired in 2015 on Pivot, via Sky Atlantic, and is now available for stream/download on Amazon Video. I had heard a bit about the show prior to its premiere, but due to the overflow of quality TV nowadays, I had to keep it on the back burner. I binged it the past week, cursing myself for having put it off this long. This is a top notch program. The basic premise: the small town of Fortitude which is perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle, is a picturesque local that happens to be one of the safest places in the world. The town is dwelled by less than 2,000 people, all of whom need to adhere to the special laws of the land. Crime doesn't occur in this frosty domain. Until now. When a violent murder occurs, the Police and the townspeople slowly unfurl a wicked realization that will shake their world. If you were a fan of other locale-centric crime series, like: "Top of the Lake", "Fargo", "Broadchurch", you will surely enjoy "Fortitude" as well. From the mind of creator Simon Donald, this mysterious tale was drawn off the real-life town of Svalbard, Norway, which is situated in the Arctic, under the Northern Lights, and annually undergoes 3 weeks of total darkness. People are mandated to carry rifles wherever they go, be in the grocery store, to work, or simply for a walk. This isn't to fend off the other townspeople; rather, their neighbors on the island outnumber them greatly and aren't very friendly. Polar Bears. That's what they must be constantly aware of, otherwise, it could mean their life. Being in such close confines also makes secrets and infidelity quite sporadic, adding layers to this proverbial onion. Another intriguing subplot about this region of the globe is that due to the ridiculous cold, nobody is allowed to die on the island as their remains simply won't decompose. The rumor the locals tell to tourists is that The Plague could be reanimated, if it were within a corpse under the tundra, and somehow got re-released on ground level. The white snow, the tranquil glaciers, the brutal chill, the deathly apex predators, all describe the setting of the town. However, it is the spectacular characters that truly makes this a unique story. The monstrously talented cast is extremely vast, but I wanted to spotlight a handful of those who are simply tremendous in their roles. Among them is the previously mentioned Stanley Tucci who I love in this part. His charm and intellect is always in the forefront, as per his M.O.. Richard Dormer, who plays Sheriff Dan Anderssen gives one of the grittiest performances in the season. His acting is so fierce and emotional. Michael Gambon gives a wonderful depiction of Henry Tyson, a old dying man who isn't ready to face his fate. His deftly played part is very important to the story. Sofie Gråbøl is great as the untested Governor who is attempting to handle the situation. Her main prerogative had been building an Ice Hotel within their glacier, in an attempt to grow tourism, but once the harrowing crime happens, her game has to change in order to be maintain the safety of her constituents. Jessica Raine and Nicholas Pinnock are stupendous as parents not knowing how to deal with their current predicament. Verónica Echegui is a beautiful actress whose performance is heavily sorrowful. This starts out as a cut and dry crime story that is constantly dropping the subtlest of hints to the viewer, each episode, about just what is really happening. If you pay close attention, you will realize that the story you thought you were watching isn't remotely the same story you are ACTUALLY watching. I cannot recall another drama that so sharply veers direction a majority of the way thru the season. And I watch a lot of TV. This mindfuck is not necessarily jarring, but, it does makes you take a better look at what you have disgusted thus far and reassess. Season 2 was announced earlier in the year, adding several well-known actors to the sophomore effort. Dennis Quaid, Michelle Fairley, and Robert Sheenan to name a few. Word on the episode count and premiere date still haven't been released. Safe to say, I am not going to let a year pass for Season 2 as I did this time. So very excited and anxious to see how the next chapter plays out!

[boobajones]

Sometimes, when you know that you’re going to be catching up with old friends over the weekend, you reminisce over the wonderful times you’ve had together while also hoping for new memories to be created when you finally hook up after however long the hiatus had been. Other times, you may dread seeing these people because of the lackluster recollections you have of your last encounter. Well, this Sunday night, HBO is bringing back three of our favorite friends and I fall squarely in the FORMER camp! 

But before we pick up where we left off in that trio of entertainment, on back-to-back-to-back nights we have another trifecta of comedic offerings to serve as a pallet cleanser while “Chopped Junior” will act as the dessert. Comedy Central will debut “The Traveling Bong”, a three-part stoner thrill ride starring “Broad City” star Ilana Glazer, where she travels in time using a magical bong. Sick! Then, on Thursday night, is the season debut of “Inside Amy Schumer”, one of the funniest shows on television. Schumer has a bigger now more than ever, so I’m sure she will bring some heat this season. Finally, on Friday night, Netflix will debut the newest comedic standup special from the always insightful yet slightly warped Patton Oswalt. No coincidence with this being 4/20 week, so take a hint, take a HIT, and enjoy the laughs!

Of course, that brings us back to the main course - HBO’s finest Sunday Night lineup, at the moment. “Game of Thrones” should be even more exciting and ambitious than ever before being freed from the shackles of Martin’s source material and allowed to ‘really explore the space’, as Bruce Dickinson was known to say. Based on the wildly enticing trailers they have dropped in the recent weeks, the action will be fierce, reeking of vengeance, and surely deadly. Makes me so happy (is that sadistic or nerdtastic?). 

“Silicon Valley” is among the very best written shows on television. Mike Judge is once again killing at. The world they have crafted, the hysterically rich characters we have come to know, the extreme anxiety-inducing moments - they are all components in the perfect algorithm that makes up the DNA of this superb sitcom. Its following act is no slouch itself; “Veep”, possibly the most gushed about show by critics (well deserved!), is back for another wacky season. Giving us their skewed, or is it sharper, view of politics in the White House and D.C., the writing here is impeccable, the rapport between the cast is joyous. They love to act like they hate each other. We should truly appreciate how amazing Julia Louis-Dreyfus really is, and has been, for such a long time. She is a first ballot HOF-er, hands down! WINTER IS COMING…and it should be hilarious! 

Finally, the last new morsel of entertainment is provided by the Food Network. Masters of culinary excellence is the status quo on this channel. “Chopped” is among the network’s crown jewels, but it is the younger generation’s version, “Chopped Junior”, that I so adore. Seeing such brilliant, bold, creative and energetic minds at work within the confines of the that kitchen are quite the sight to behold. I am constantly blown away by their maturity, both in demeanor but also in scope of thought as it relates to the task at hand. Watching Season 1 was amongst the most fun activities I had with my kids. I am very excited for a new season of dishes. Ala cuisine! 

[boobajones]

"Besides, it's your word against mine." 

Monday night was the Season 2 finale of "Better Call Saul", and it was a terrific episode. It was wonderful to see Mike and Jimmy come (somewhat) closer to their their eventual "Breaking Bad" selves. This episode was directed by co-creator Peter Gould who gave us a few splendid views, including the wicked camera angle when Chuck was on the gurney. Also, the little easter egg Vince Gilligan left us with an anagram of the titles of these episodes was really awesome. Reminiscent of a ploy used during "Breaking Bad" Season 2, if you take the first letter of the 10 episodes of BCS Season 2, it may be a hint towards whom it was who left Mike that note on his windshield, at the end of the episode. 

Looking back at this season as a whole, it didn't have the same excitement as the freshman season, but that's only because Gould and Gilligan were allowed to develop their story and characters to deeper levels that even they may have anticipated. And that's completely fine by me. These two showrunners have garnered enough clout with me from their previous project that I trust in their process. Also, I just happen to really enjoy the slow crawl they are utilizing to build things back up to where we initially met these rich characters. In actuality, the same blueprint was used for "Breaking Bad" but the sporadic dusting of murder, mayhem and intensity didn't allow the glacial pace to be a deterrent for most; a few "Yo, Bitch" drops didn't harm the product either. 

Whereas on BCS, simply having a scene in a law office where mundane topics are being discussed doesn't amp up the audience. These are two totally different shows that may be tangentially related but aren't doppelgängers. It's the acting performances by the stellar cast that is the fuel for this locomotive. Bob Odenkirk is simply fantastic as Jimmy McGill, showing a humongous amount of range portraying the version of younger himself he will eventually turn his back on. Each week, another layer is revealed about his true nature while also setting the table for who he will become in a short time. 

Jimmy's love interest, and quasi-moral compass, Kim Wexler has made a huge leap this season too. Rhea Seehorn is doing some great work in this role, able to play off the men she is surrounded by quite deftly. She is able to convey so very much with simply a facial expression. Really glad to see her blossom. Michael McKean, who plays Jimmy's exasperated brother Chuck, gave a yeoman's performance this season. Whether it was perfecting his "sickness" for the camera, being exceptionally sharp when in the right work setting, or just having to deal with his brother's constant shenanigans, he has kept delivering every time. I can see where viewers would be down on his character, but you have to respect the craft being spotlighted in each scene. 

Mike, still being portrayed magnificently by Jonathan Banks, is so much fun to watch any time he is on screen. He's constantly a step or two ahead of those around him. He keeps surprising me with his quick thinking and sound planning. His age and look just throw you off. But don't be mislead - the dude is BOSS. It was also nice to see how he birthed his "No Half Measures" philosophy. 

These two seasons have been fascinating - being able to see how people you've known from one entity can be so much more interesting in another setting. Saul and Mike were among the best "Breaking Bad" characters. But Jimmy and Mike are great in their own way too. That is so difficult. To recreate a known quantity and still manage to pull it off. Mad props to the entire writers room for BCS. These guys are stringing us along, but if you follow the way the wind is blowing in New Mexico, it seems as though the action is about to get ramped up quite ridiculously. 

Season 3 should reacquaint us with other former characters from BB, most notably a fast food mogul. The sheer anticipation to see just how this unfolds has me tingling. Already having hung out with Tuco, Nacho, Hector and the Cousins has been downright kickass; but I think next season will take things to new heights. DING!!!! 🐓🐓

[boobajones]

A lot has been happening within the last week or two, so today lets do a QUICK HITTERS post to try and briefly tackle a bunch of these topics. I'm going to be covering a delicious dish whose recipe includes: a dash of Pop Culture, a movie trailer, a couple new Books and a bit of TV too - it's all fun baby! • Bill Simmons announced his new website, The Ringer, a few weeks ago. Thus far, the podcast feeds have been like Steph Curry's shot - PURE FLAMES. Then yesterday, the first Ringer newsletter was released to subscribers. It was great to get some fresh content, however brief it was, from Simmons and some of his newest hires. That's right - The Ringer made some new hires. You can scroll thru their Twitter feed from yesterday to see each and every new addition, many of them having been former Grantlanders. Super excited to see how this new platform manifests itself over the coming months, especially how it relates to the yet-unknown HBO show Simmons will be part of. So awesome to get back on track again after the G-Land arson! • After initially hearing Seth Rogen subtlety discuss his hopeful R-Rated animated future project entitled "Sausage Party", I made a mental note to keep an eye out for any additional info. Well earlier this morning, the first theatrical trailer was dropped online and let me tell you, this shit looks WICKED! Just because this is a cartoon, don't think for a second that weed, cursing and (likely) sex won't be heavily included in the story. You just know Rogen and his all-star crew (including: Jonah Hill, James Franco, Kristen Wiig, Selma Hayek, Ed Norton, Paul Rudd, Bill Hader, Michael Cera and more) will deliver a new hit! Cannot wait to enjoy this flick. BONG! • Last Wednesday night, NBC offered an early viewing of "Carmichael Show" Season 2. Then on Sunday night, their aired two more new episodes. I wrote about the surprisingly superb freshman season (which NBC has stupidly shelved until August) on this blog previously, but this show is even better with the offseason it had to get a better grasp on itself. The jokes are crisp and plentiful, the acting is spot on, but above all else, it is the graceful and nuanced way Carmichael and his writing staff are able to discuss really important social matters within the context of their show. A high recommendation to all of you who haven't yet seen the program; it is definitely a winner. • Tuesdays are typically the release day for new books, that truth is still valid today as Jonathan Abrams', the unreal deep-dive former Grantland writer, first offering was introduced to the public. I had already preordered "Boys Among Men" based on Abrams stellar works that I have immensely enjoyed. The book deals with the history of NBA players who jumped from high school straight to the pros. Abrams interviewed each of the members of this exclusive club, garnering their thoughts on each unique journey. Very excited to get this in my hands and plow thru it. Also, as a guest on Bill Simmons' podcast today, Chuck Klosterman let it out that his new book will be coming out in June; just 3 months away! Yes!!!! Klosterman is a favorite of mine, always has been, and I am so intrigued about this new one, "But What If We're Wrong?" which takes a look at how we view our decisions in the moment compared to how we view these same past hot takes with the later knowledge we have and whether that same thinking proves right today. Very cool. That's all for now. Tonight is a huge TV night, by the way. With "Brooklyn 99" and "Fresh off the Boat" as the appetizers, "Tosh.0" as the desert. But nothing trumps the main course - "The People vs. OJ Simpson"!!! So smoke that bowl and get ready to be entertained this evening!

[boobajones]

I just finished watching last night's Season 11 finale of FX's signature comedy series, "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia", and it was fucking awesome! As if I'd expect anything less from this comically twisted crew of degenerates. I have been an avid fan of the employees at Paddy's Pub since the very first season, so many years ago. At the time when it initially premiered, there was absolutely nothing available on the Television spectrum produced or cultivated in such a darkly humorous way. And while the freshman season was a wonderful appetizer for my starving pallet, it was in the following second season when the show made its jump. Since that point, the show's enormous and devoted fan base has only grown and mutated to the copious levels we are at today. I recall a description of the new comedy by some random reviewer, who equated "It's Always Sunny" to '"Seinfeld" on crack' - which is totally on point. If you were to take a handful of friends, who are mean spirited, negative and above all selfish, then ramp it up with crack cocaine (as Dennis and Sweet Dee did numerous times within the past 10 years), you'd start to understand the foundation here. From the brilliant minds of the actors who star in the show, Rob McElhenney (Mac), Glenn Howerton (Dennis) and Charlie Day (Charlie), we have been entertained and fascinated for season upon season. Kaitlin Olson (Dee) is fantastic as the lone female in the bunch, constantly acting as chosen shit-taker by the guys. Their incessant mocking of calling her a Bird has been the gift that keeps on giving. Lastly though, the X Factor that completes the comedic recipe RGC has perfected falls squarely on the short shoulders of Danny DeVito, who portrays Frank Reynolds, the father of Dennis and Sweet Dee. I mentioned how the sophomore season was their jumping off point and it is directly related to that season being when they added DeVito to the cast. His mere presence (including his constantly disheveled appearance) are able to amp up any insane situation these guys come up with in their writers room. Somehow, in this world, Frank is the money roll for this decrepit bar, when you literally could not envision him succeeding at anything... at least not legally. No topic is off limits. No laugh is too far to corral in. These dudes give exactly zero fucks, just as any of their Philly brethren would as well. We sporadically get visits from the mutants they somehow are acquaintances with (shoutout McPoyles!), always superb for a few chuckles. Also guaranteed to skeeve you out, those oily and incestuous fuckers are gross! But classic! It is remarkable that this show has just culminated it's eleventh season (already picked up for a couple more by FX Networks). During the fourth season, I believe, was when the show took prominence in the zeitgeist by going across the country performing their infamous "DAYMAN COMETH" episode as a live stage production. Of course, I had to be there in person to appreciate the musical numbers, so my brothers and some friends all made our way to NYC to experience the EPIC live show. It was truly phenomenal. All the more so because I mastered the wicked original songs these crazy dudes came up with, belting out my all when the final chorus was going strong. What's so fun about this show is that, for the most part, you can watch any episode at any time, no sequential order really needed, making it perfect for binge-watching. Mac's kick-ass karate moves and unaware closeted homosexuality never cease to pay off splendidly. Charlie's psychotic musing and logic could be taught in mental asylums to the next generation of doctors. Dennis' absolute egotism and narcissism are hilarious every fucking time he goes off a tirade. Sweet Dee should get royalties every time see shouts "Goddammit" because she is a fucking PRO! And Frank, deranged and unwarrantedly confident at the same time, he has had so many great gags and lines throughout the series, it wouldn't be right to just list a few. However, I would be remised if I didn't simply mention RUM HAM!!!! Honestly, this is one of my favorite all-time TV comedies. Nary an episode is a dud - they all fucking rule. Being such a fan of "Seinfeld" may have been a catalyst for my love of "It's Always Sunny", but the levels of acrimony and craziness they shower themselves in is simply excellent. If you have seen the show before, you know what I am talking about. If you have never watched an episode yet, first of all you're an asshole, and secondly, get on that shit ASAP! I am sure that you will fall for this quintet of pricks instantly. How could you not? ----> WILDCARD, BITCHES!!!!!!

[boobajones]

Comedy Central has been bolstering its resume of fantastic shows over the past five years or so. They have been on a phenomenal run of great choices that have morphed into huge hits within the sketch comedy world. "Inside Amy Schumer", "Broad City", "Key & Peele", "Kroll Show", "Workaholics", to simply name a few such programs. This Thursday night at 10:30pm, Comedy Central is taking their latest swing, with their newest offering, "Idiotsitter". Based off the web series of the same name, this funny show is yet another mostly helmed by Female Comediennes - here with Jillian Bell and Charlotte Newhouse as the mismatched duo at the core of this wild story. The snippets on Comedy Central's YouTube page are really very funny, leaving you with a slight aftertaste of "Eastbound and Down". Surprisingly I had not ever heard of this show until very recently, and that's on me. The comedy here is straight up my alley. I am excited to watch in earnest now. This feels like a mutant version of "Billy Madison" mixed with bath salts. Sounds gnarly! "Idiotsitter" follows Billie (Newhouse), a young strapped-for-cash woman who is in desperate need of a job. Hence, she interviews for a job working as a nanny for a rich family in L.A. However - that's where this typical tale take a swerve. Billie quickly realizes that the position isn't for a child at all - rather, it's a not-so-elaborate cover-up for the real job. In actuality, the position is to be the supervisor and teacher to a full-grown woman-child named Gene Russell (Bell), who is under house arrest for prior legal transgressions. The scene where this plays out is awesome, having "NewsRadio" alum Stephen Root portraying Gene's wealthy and exasperated father makes it all the more satiating. Based on the solid reviews from several TV Critics, along with the 5-6 clips they have released, this looks to be a sleeping giant. I can totally see the internet salivating over these ladies in the coming months. Not only are these women funny but smart as well; they are the creators, writers and stars of their show. Personally, I have been a huge fan of Jillian Bell ever since my first encounter of her, as the mid-drift baring assistant to Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld on the famous 'Seinfeld Reunion' season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm". She was fucking hysterical on her episode and has continued to grow her spotlight since. You may also remember her from smaller roles in "22 Jump Street", "The Night Before", "Workaholics" and other comedic misadventures. Charlotte Newhouse is more of a fresh entity to me, but she seems to have a good chemistry with Bell in the various scenes I have watched up to this point, so I am amped to see how enjoyable this ride will end up being. I briefly discussed Stephen Root, who was also incredible in "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story", but he isn't the only supporting cast member who is worthy of mention. Root is always on point with his sublime delivery and timing. His copious facial expressions sure don't hurt either. Elizabeth De Razzo is cast here as Joy, the Rusell's maid. She is also a former cast member of "Eastbound and Down", where she portrayed Stevie's DTF wife on the fantastically misanthropic show. They even get some big gets for guest starring stints, including: Channing Tatum, Randall Park, Chris Klein, Andrew W.K., Kyle Kinane and more. Overall, this has some truly wicked potential to be the next big thing for CC and its viewers as well. Check out the premiere for yourself!

[boobajones]

Fantasy Sports is a fickle bitch. I have been a participant in fantasy sports of all kinds going back to my high school days in the mid 1990's. There was a time when I had multiple teams in each sport, constantly looking for more juice. However, as time went on, and life happened simultaneously, it lead to me to be more concise and particular with my fantasy sports. First, it was Baseball that fell to the wayside, mostly because MLB itself has become such a slog to maintain for a whole season. Add to that the plethora of positions to fill daily, it was going to happen sooner or later. Then, about 3-4 years ago, after several seasons of idle threats, I finally cut the cord with NFL Fantasy - a move I could not be happier about. No longer would I spend Sundays shouting at random players I hadn't even known weeks earlier who were impacting my match-up and by in turn, putting a damper on my football viewing experience. Many of my friends are slyly jealous of me for being able to stick with this decision, I know. But it was a wonderful move. I now sit down with Red Zone Channel blasting, my son Jacques next to me and Twitter opened, all Sunday afternoon. Such a fun time compared to what I had been doing TO MYSELF. Of all the fantasy sports, I have always felt football is the toughest simply because such a copious amount of random players end up having a say in how your league plays out. The same shit every season. Some dude off the practice squad starts in Week 10 and helps some team who made a waiver move win a league. Such bullshit. So I had been solely focused on NBA Fantasy, loving the league I have been commissioner of for the last 14 seasons. Being that basketball is my true love, it just made sense. Also, having to put together a twelve man squad, ten of whom were starting, is such an easier task than creating a team in the other sports. I watch NBA every free moment I have, so my scouting ability has been pretty high, at least I thought so. Last season, I was a bit early on Steph, having bid $110 of the $300 budget we are allowed. Him and Blake Griffin built a tremendous foundation for my squad, filling the rest of the lineup with a cornucopia of cheap pick ups who outproduced their costs. So coming into this past auction, just before Halloween, I was amped and ready. Well, fuck me in the face. This will turn out to be my worst showing in my entire NBA Fantasy career. My first misstep was passing on Steph for $108, (WHAT THE FUCK WAS I THINKING?!??) but more so, having made two horrific choices in Blake Griffin and Al Jefferson. Obviously, at the moment, they were solid picks for very decent prices. But then life happens - Big Al's body began to decompose while at the same time, Blake Griffin decided to join the UFC, without even speaking to Dana White. Fucking Griffin absolutely KILLED my season. What a piece of shit. I don't even care about missing the playoffs (only the Top 6 of the 12 teams move on to the postseason). No. I am livid about being in the cellar, because of the countless lackluster performances my squad has produced this season. Being in dead last has a penalty of $100 and the added shame of BEING DEAD FUCKING LAST! At this point, I am openly rooting against my own players in real life (sans Dirk and Zaza who can do no wrong). I am talking mad shit, solely out of spite, to all the other dudes in my league, just to ruffle some feathers. This is the final week of the regular season, so my offseason is thankfully almost here. I can tell you that I am completely scrapping my drafting method from this season; I refuse to be put in such a disaster of a position again. Especially as a founding member who had never dropped to such low depths. Fuck man, I am such a sore loser. All I have to look forward to now is an awesome Playoffs, in both conferences. Regardless, still a #BALLNIGHT!

[boobajones]

Incredible. Unbelievable. Excellent.

 I can spew out a plethora of other adjectives to describe the greatness that is FX's juggernaut "ACS: The People vs. OJ Simpson", but it wouldn't make a difference. Either you are all in for this wicked ride or you aren't. And if you fall into that latter group, you're an asshole. Plain and simple. That is a certainty because this is THE touchstone television experience of the year. ACS is such an enthralling experience, coated with copious amounts of true facts, rich characters and memorable events. 

 Front street for this show is that it takes a magnifying glass to THE seminal moment in US History, as it pertains to the brief period of time where pop culture, news, audience and justice all took their spots in a steel cage match. That melting pot of various participants has surely lead us to the current world we find ourselves in today. Who could have imagined that 20 years after the shocking incident, we would be uber-tweaking for more story, details and episodes to enjoy. The scripts have been immaculate, the tremendous cast of actors have been killing it, while the intensity and suspense keeps mounting each progressive week. I give a huge amount of credit to Ryan Murphy, show-runner extraordinaire whom I haven't much been interested by in his other offerings. This go-around, dude is ON POINT! He knows exactly how to televise this type of base material while still making it seem fresh and engaging throughout. 

 We just past the midway point of this season, with the 5th episode airing this past Tuesday night. I am so utterly excited to see where the back five episodes take us. I mean, we know the bullet points of the infamous court case, but the way this story has been retold is just so grand. I honestly get amped up as Tuesday nights get closer to 10pm. From the very first opening scene of the anthology, I felt my inner self get worked up. Both from excitement but also from anger and abject lack of understanding to how this type of bullshit ACTUALLY happened in the collective view. Astounding. 

 The fantastic acting performances by a few key players have truly made their spotlight, and characters, even brighter. First and foremost, Courtney B. Vance's portrayal of Johnnie Cochran has been FUCKING FLAMES!!!!! I cannot believe how immensely perfected his take on the bombastic lawyer has been. If he doesn't win the Emmy Award, fuck the Emmys. This dude is the definition of BOSS. Imagine the real Cochran were still around to see just how majestic he appears on screen. It's a travesty that such a brilliant man was taken too soon. I am taken aback by just what a mastermind Cochran was. He was fascinating! Following Vance's lead, Sarah Paulson, a Murphy alum, has been exquisite as lead prosecutor Marcia Clark. She looks exactly as Clark did in the mid-90's, adding tones of understanding to her back story that surely were not at the forefront at the time. Also, the heavy social issues that were in the periphery are getting so much more hype now, understandably, again shining a stronger light on just how tough her job was in 1995 Los Angeles and from the court of the public zeitgeist. 

 Sterling K. Brown, an unknown to me prior to this series, may be the breakout actor. His deep, thoughtful and harsh portrayal of Clark's partner Chris Darden has been so nuanced and interesting. He has to maintain stability within his community, being a Black prosecutor in this wild case, has been so educating to witness. I can't assume to know how the real Chris Darden acted at the time, nor can I assume how it would affect me, simply because I am white. I just cannot put myself in those shoes. But the emotional and interesting way they have tackled his character has been possibly my favorite aspect of the show. Phenomenal work all around.

 John Travolta, David Schwimmer, Nathan Lane, Cuba Gooding Jr., Malcolm Jamal-Warner - all these cats have been rocking out in their respective roles, but none at the level of the three I listed above. There are still five more episodes to go, so there is still time for any of these guys to make a jump as well. 

 Then today, TODAY! FUCKING TODAY, Friday March 4, 2016 - police in LA announced that they may have found the murder weapon (knife) buried underground at the Brentwood site. Some ignorant cops may have had it since 1998. This is insanity! Are you serious right now??? I got tingles reading about it. Of course we know OJ did it, but who could have anticipated this shocking turn of events, at this specific moment in time, when nostalgia for this case is at an all-time high. Wow! Just wow!!! In addition, the rampant amount of current articles and interviews being pounded out, including all those involved, has been superb. Today, Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald from "The Watch" podcast gave the TV Championship Belt to this show. I knew it before they even announced it, because it is THAT good. So so happy to have it around and mad excited to devour the second half of this incredible season of Television. 

[boobajones]

I so enjoy when an interesting personality guests on “The Adam Carolla Show” that I am unaware of. Odds are that by the end of the episode I will be somewhat intrigued by their interview and thoughts, leading me to purchase their book or do some research into their careers. This has happened countless times over the last 7 seasons of the podcast; and being that I am a steadfast daily listener, I usually engage with these fresh faces mad quick. Such was the impetus of me getting to know two different but deserving writers - Daniel Gilbert and Adam Resnick.

Honestly, I had known about Gilbert by his Prudential commercials. You know them - where he asks very interesting questions are it relates to your retirement. However, I had not know who he was, so when he joined the ACS, the dots connected and I realized who he was instantly, merely from his soothing voice. Well, he is a brilliant thinker that I wish had a bigger platform for more people to be able to listen to him. His bestseller “Stumbling On Happiness” was a terrifically swift read for anyone looking to improve themselves, their way of thinking and their outlook.

In the same stratosphere as Malcolm Gladwell and his genius books, this collection of Brain related topics are fascinating to read, even more to UNDERSTAND and allow to seep into your own thinking. I was shocked at the amount of times I LOL-ed at various humorous thoughts Gilbert parlayed over, things you wouldn’t normally have felt to be true. To his credit, he does a superb job of constructing a strong case from the first page until the last, constantly building another layer of concrete to his thesis foundation. Very worth your while if you are a fan of this genre of book, or at the very least, would like to broaden the way you think.

Another bright spot in the recent Carolla past had been when comedic writer Adam Resnick joined the show to discuss his anti-social rise to fame, reaching his peak working for The Late Show with David Letterman. Having also penned several feature films and punched up a few others too, “Will Not Attend” is his first foray into the book world. Listening to his voice and the shit he was talking on Carolla had me in stitches. The dude simply gives zero fucks about how the world around him perceives him and his outwardly degenerate behavior in social setting is First Class! I fell in love with what he was saying, so of course I had to read his collection of essays to fully get the idea.

The first thing you notice is the bevy of comedic luminaries who adorn his book with blurbs. Jon Stewart, David Letterman, Bob Odenkirk, are simply just a few. But each of their message is on point - Resnick is hilarious! From his opening essay, taking us back to his early and formative chick dog years in rural Pennsylvania over 3 decades ago, you are hooked! Who else starts off with a story about searching for Easter eggs with a girl he liked that lead to them unexpectedly finding a photo of a woman sucking off a horse! That’s jump street here, people! From there, the epic tales of spite, anger and social anxiety simply soar, grabbing you for a laugh out loud ride! By the time you close the back flap, you are thirsting for more fun. Being a self-admitted people-hater, I champion this man and his cause. We are too smothered by dumb fucks who just need to back the hell off. If I was interested in your thoughts, I would have asked, dickface.

Hopefully one or both of these can give you the same amount of enjoyment and pleasure they gave me. Read them, contemplate them and then pass along your own recommendations to others too!

[boobajones]

As long as I can remember, I have always been into having my different cliques overlap, so that the friends of each can intertwine, without me, as well as build off that initial introduction and sometimes cultivate even tighter friendships than the original one than I was the catalyst for. Going back to high school, I recall hanging out with various different groups of friends, the common thread being Me. Somehow, I was able to make my mark in each core, without it having it negatively affect my other crews. Later on, a friend of mine described me to a common acquaintance as a "Social Butterfly", a perfect term that for some reason I had not heard prior to that moment. That is me. Well, to be more precise, that WAS me. In my teens and twenties, I would enjoy nothing more than hitting my emails and texts to put together a fun night or setting up an event party. If only because my track record of success had been so high. Also, the enthusiasm that I garnered while getting to work was so high, a level I simply cannot reach today, in my mid-thirties. I would just love the excitement that swirled around such enjoyable evenings. However, those sentiments and all that energy has effectively left my being, within the past handful of years. In the same way that I would be ultra-aggressive in being the human blueprint for whatever it was (party, sports league, special event, card game, etc.), I now have a complete opposite track of thought. I have no care or desire to even ATTEND such things, let alone be the crux of setting them up. I have gone from a "social butterfly" to my current state, "a social MEDIA butterfly". I am willing to spend all my time on Social Media (Twitter mainly, Instagram somewhat too) if it would allow me to avoid actual human contact. Even my wife has mentioned it to me, finding it perplexing that I have gravitated towards this new paradigm. When we met, she was the one pushing to pass on invites we received, whereas now, I am the one being dragged and pleaded with to join her. My taste has changed, plain and simple. As such, WHATSAPP has become my go-to conduit to maintain status quo with my friends and buddies. I have created several Chats on the immensely useful App, each of which with its own select membership base, solely corresponding to the Chat's Topic. The NBA Chat is rolling over 20 deep; the GoT Chat has been growing each season; my Family chat is always popping. Allowing me to focus narrow and deep in this methodology has been a huge boost for my psyche. Simply because a large majority of those I interact with daily STILL aren't a part of the best Social Media has to offer. That means, I get to still be the arm of knowledge for these people, constantly posting info and links within each Chat, as needed. But it also allows me to NOT have to actually touch base in person. A huge deal. I find these new Chats to be so efficient, excellently involved, and constantly morphing. One complaint my friend ABOUDS usually brings up, as it relates to the NBA Chat, is that while the crew of 20+ of us who talk hoops daily are surely into the sport, we are not truly FRIENDS. For some reason, he is adamant that this fact is a huge factor in giving the Chat a stained look. I can't understand this logic in the slightest. I find it to be such a useful device SIMPLY because it allows such a wide array of guys to find common ground. So what if you wouldn't go out for dinner and drinks with a patch of these dudes? That should have no bearing on your inclusion in the Chat. Should it?? I could better understand this argument if this were regarding those mixture of crews I mentioned over a decade ago. But when are all sharing a virtual bulletin board, what does any of that matter? I find that I am that much more engaged in these Chats and other Social Media outlets rather than actually talking to any specific person. In 2016, in my mind, it goes: Text, Chat, Email, Social Media......Phone Call. I use less than 30 minutes spoken per month, at this point. It is an archaic method of correspondence. With Blogs, Podcasts and Tweets, I am fully satiated without ever actually interacting with a fellow human being. The realization I have come to is that I ultimately would rather project myself via typed nuanced character, full of meaty links, GIFs, emojis and more - than simply talk to you face to face. This way of communication allows me to convey a stronger point. I can also find something more fun to do in the interim were you to be boring, by hitting up another App - as where if we were in an elevator in front of each other, for example, we would be socially FORCED to chit chat and soak up every ounce of free moments within the interaction. Bullshit. I will take a hard pass on that old school way of thought. I am a modern man. I know this is counter to most of society, at least those in my age range and older. But I am very excited to see how this very notion plays out with the generation just behind mine. Does calling a girl after school, just to chat, even exist anymore? Further, should it even have to? I think the ride is about to get bumpy for those living in their older ways, as the youth budges itself into the same playing field. I am hopeful too that those who currently oppose this new frontier will realize the ignorance of their stances - times are simply changing and it is important not to allow yourself to get left behind. But were you to stagnate in place, I guess you wouldn't even be aware of the shit talking those around you would be spewing, on their social media outlets, anyway.

[boobajones]

We are nearly halfway thru the month, yet, there are a myriad of TV shows still slated to premiere. February is typically the dumping ground for the film industry. However, on its smaller screen counterpart, this month is just as voracious as any other. In this new paradigm of Peak Television, every month offers a plethora of fresh viewing options, on a copious amount of different platforms and channels. Thus, even though we are twelve days into the calendar's shortest month, there is a long list of shows still coming in the next 17 days. Here's a quick cheat sheet to what I am looking forward to most: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14: 1. "Adele: Live in London" (10pm, BBCA) - After her recent trip to the states where she held a several concerts in NYC, one of which was televised around the holidays, she is dominating the music world. Also, her Carpool Karaoke spot on "The Late Late Show" was tremendous and has amassed over 68M hits to date. So another opportunity to watch Adele belt out her hits, especially amongst her people, is more than welcome. Cheers! 2. "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" (11pm, HBO) - I covered this yesterday here on the blog, but it warrants another mention. I can only imagine what stories Oliver will take on this week after a long break where he and his team presumably did some great reporting. Exciting!! 3. "Vinyl" (9pm, HBO) - I brought up Martin Scorsese and Terrence Winter this week when I reviewed "The Audition". Here, they joined Mick Jagger to recreate the world of 1970's rock music scene in NYC. Starring Bobby Cannavale, Ray Romano, and Olivia Wilde, this has some solid potential. Not sure I can catch it live, too much other shows currently, but I will surely keep tabs on it. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15: 1. "Better Call Saul" (10pm, AMC) - This was my #2 show of 2015, which says a lot because of the massive hype this show had as an offshoot of arguably the greatest drama of TV history "Breaking Bad". Peter Gould and Vince Gilligan have been able to catch magic again on this journey. Bob Odenkirk is superb as title character Saul Goodman and Jonathan Banks has been marvelous as Mike, again. Really looking forward to seeing the next chapter of this story. 2. "11/22/63" (12am, HULU) - I had no knowledge about this show until yesterday when I read Alan Sepinwall's review of it. Based on a book by Stephen King, this eight part mini-series is about a man's travel back in time to prevent the JFK assassination. What's very interesting is that the star is James Franco, who by all accounts, does a masterful job here, not showing his Franco side that normally shins through. Interesting story. 3. "58th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS" (8pm, CBS) - Usually I wouldn't care about this event, as music has fallen way back into the periphery for me. But solely based on David Wild's hearty praise and recommendation on his recent call to the Adam Carolla Podcast this week, I will pop in for some of the cool performances he hinted to. Wild has the track record to garner that respect. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16: 1. "Gonzaga: The March to Madness" (10pm, HBO) - HBO is home to the greatest sports documentary series around, the "24/7" franchise. After already dealing with the NFL, NHL, Boxing - now, they are giving us a detailed look into one of the NCAA's funnest hoops programs, the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In this 5 part mini-series, we will get a stellar idea of what working toward March Madness is all about. 2. "The New Yorker Presents" (12am, AMAZON) - This is Amazon's first foray into news and entertainment. This original newsmagazine series, produced by Alex Gibney, will offer a visual experience of short segments that are equivalent to the printed variety of their intelligent print magazine. This is a rather exciting prospect to my curiosity. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17: "Broad City" (10pm, COMEDY) - This is one of the funniest fucking shows on all of television. Maybe it's the comedy, the weed talk or NYC. Or maybe it's just that I love seeing two WOMEN acting this way, in what would typically be attributed to slacker males. These broads are hysterical. Each week, they find new ways to humor me. Their friendship is sweet, honest, genuine and makes their ballyhoo totally believable. So awesome! SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21: "Must See TV: A Tribute to James Burrows" (9pm, NBC) - In honor of famed TV comedic director's 1,000th episode behind the camera, the network is paying tribute to Burrows by gathering the actors from all his former casts to put on an entertaining evening. Including various actors from casts as: "Taxi", "Friends", "Frasier", "Will and Grace" and "Cheers", this should be monumental. A reminder of just how historically great Thursday nights were to the National Broadcast Channel. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28: "88th Annual Academy Awards" (8pm, ABC) - In a year when race issues are the hot topic, stand-up giant Chris Rock is pegged to be the host - sure to come out shooting FLAMES! The films aren't that concerning to me this go-around, but this should still end up be a memorable event for all the ancillary factors surrounding it. ROCK!!!