It's been real, It's been fun...

... and now it's over.

Pkeip's Hype will soon cease to exist. I always told my self that I wouldn't randomly update the blog, just to add content. Well, that's what it has become due to work and other factors, so thanks for the two plus years of 28 readers and your comments.

Pkeip's Hype might one day be reincarnated in some other form, but for now it's done.

As the great Brit Hume so eloquently says, "And that's all for this time. Please tune us in next time. And, in the meantime, more news is on the way."

The most worn out expression in football:

Hey, I can count!

Death, Taxes, Gene, Sabrina, Jim and Ben?

Richmond's first family of news is breaking up. WWBT Channel 12, Richmond's NBC affiliate, announced that longtime sports director Ben Hamlin would not be retained. Hamlin had been with the television station since 1980.

Others let go included anchor Gene Lepley and reporter Rob Richardson. The cuts, according to General Manager Don Richards, were due to the recent economic downturn.

For as long as I can remember, my local news, weather and sports were delivered at 6 and 11 by the same four folks. Now there's three and Gene isn't getting any younger.

Richmond's flagship news station won't be the same. Best of luck to Ben.

Bobby to Stump for Bob Tomorrow

While many Republicans are already trying to regroup for 2012, in the Commonwealth, 2009 is the year everyone is eyeing.

Eleven months before the voters of Virginia go to the polls again; Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Attorney General Bob McDonnell will hold a fundraiser in Richmond for McDonnell’s campaign to become the next governor of Virgina.

The day will begin with a press conference at the Jefferson Hotel, followed by a fundraiser at the Commonwealth Club, only blocks away.

Jindal, the first Indian American elected to a state-wide office, is considered to be one of the up and coming stars of the Republican Party and was even discussed as a possible running mate for McCain in 2008.

Bringing in the major players on the GOP scene this early in the campaign season signifies that the race for governor in Virginia will once again be a closely watched contest.

They’re Bringin’ Saxby Back

Georgia GOP'ers made that clear last night.

Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss won a runoff election yesterday against Democratic hopeful Jim Martin.

The resounding win of more than 10 percentage points is a victory for a party that didn’t have too many things to celebrate 30 days ago.

While the Democrats will control both the House and the Senate, they won’t have the 60 seat majority in the Senate which would be immune to filibusters. A Martin win would have given President-elect Obama a stronger hand moving his agenda.

Unlike Chambliss, who used prominent figures in the Republican Party to campaign throughout Georgia for the past month, Martin never capitalized on the excitement surrounding the election of Obama just one month earlier.

Voter turnout was nearly half of what it was for the general election andObama never campaigned for Martin in the state. The President-Elect did do automated phone calls and a radio ad in Atlanta.

Chambliss came to the Senate in 2002 after defeating Democratic Sen. Max Cleland in a heated election.

The Office Fax 11.20

In “Frame Toby,” a mysterious person in the office has made a huge mess in the microwave and will not clean it up. Meanwhile, Michael has to come to terms with the fact that there have been certain personnel changes in his staff without his knowing. This episode is written by cast member Mindy Kaling, Kelly Kapur.

Circuit City: Looks like we'll have to take that Free Spin away

Latest O.A.R. CD: Good from All Sides

The first time I ever heard Of a Revolution (O.A.R.) I was a college freshman. The song was “Crazy Game of Poker.” The year was 2000. And even after four years of hearing their tunes in heavy rotation at the fraternity house, I still listen to the guys from The Ohio State University via Rockville, Maryland.

Their latest album, “All Sides,” continues blend of rock and reggae, this go around the reggae influences aren’t as noticeable. From the slow mellow sounds of “The Gift” to the fast and upbeat rock hits “Shattered” and “This Town,” O.A.R. delivers on all fronts with this CD.

O.A.R. is an example of how persistence pays off. The band released “The Wanderer” in 1997 to little fanfare. But news of the band spread across college campuses by word of mouth and music downloading sites like Napster. Oh those were the days.

After years of touring and encouraging fans to download their songs by any form imaginable, O.A.R. now sells out Madison Square Garden and cranks out billboard hits. It shows what word of mouth and campus cult following can do.

Friday Photos

The Phillies have won the 2008 World Series!