Friday Fhoto

Yep, the kabobs and baklava are that good.

Skull of NBA Star Used as Mold for new Indiana Jones Movie

Skull used in the god-awful CGI version of Indy Jones

NBA Journeyman Sam Cassell

Writers Strike Still Evident in Summer Programming (or lack thereof)

Just when I thought the headaches of the 2007-2008 writers were beginning to wear off, I was jolted once again when I read this past weekend FX’s summer programming has been altered, specifically Rescue Me.

The TV drama focuses on the professional and personal lives of New York City firefighters after the trauma of the September 11, 2001 attacks. But season 5 and the 22 episodes that were scheduled to air this summer have been pushed back until March of 2009. That’s almost a YEAR from now!

Even with the long wait, there is some good news – all 22 episodes will air consecutively. Denis Leary, who plays the show’s main character Tommy Gavin, said on the Daily Show a few weeks ago that there will be a few "mini-sodes" airing in June and July to bridge the fourth and fifth seasons.

Friday Fhoto

Local girl reacts to news that her father enjoys wearing blue rubber shoes with holes in them out in public.

This Just In: Comcast Isn’t So Comcastic!

And chances are, you’d probably agree!

According to a widely watched annual customer service survey released today, Comcast received its lowest rating ever while overall consumer satisfaction with the industry rose 3.2 percent compared to a year ago.

It isn’t good news for the nation’s and Richmond’s largest cable provider. Everyone has a Comcast horror story. And I mean everyone.

Comcast and its two lame turtles, Bill and Karoyln Slowsky, tied with struggling Charter Communications for last place among cable and satellite firms.

The report surveyed about 20,000 people by phone from January to March.

Friday Fhoto

What's that you say? Pit bulls on the loose in Henrico's East End?

The Office Fax 5.15 Season Finale

First the good: The Office is an hour of laughs tonight!

Now the bad: It’s the season finale.

In “Goodbye Toby”, the Scranton branch of DM says so long to the much-beloved HR guy. And what better way to kick Toby out the door than with a goodbye party of epic proportion courtesy of Michael Scott. Angela, sick of Michael’s unreasonable last minute demands, refuses to participate, and Michael turns to talented Phyllis Vance to take over the party planning committee. Meanwhile, Dwight and Meredith team up and haze the new HR woman, Holly.

Favorite Quotes from "Job Fair"

Michael: Today I'm heading over to the job fair at Valley View High School, to find some new interns. Want to get some fresh blood. Um, euthanize this place.

Phil Maguire: Phil Maguire, Dartmouth, '74 [goes to shake Andy's hand]

Andy: Oop, got some blisties.

Phil Maguire: Yeah, you do.

Kevin: What are we talking? Skins? Acey Duecy? Bingo bango bongo? Sandies, Barkies? Arnies, Wolf? What?

Creed: [over phone] Hiya Pumpkin, it's Creed.

Creed: Say, we're gonna ditch this bitch. You in?

Angela: No.

Michael: Excuse me. If you can hear me, I'd like you to look around at all these companies and know that none of them are good enough for you. H&R Block? Come on, I mean I don't even know what they do. Frank Regan Funeral Home? Too much formaldehyde!

Know how to piss off a Subway sandwich artist?

It's really easy: bring a list of multiple (over three) sandwiches, wraps or salads! Then have the next person in line follow suit with their list. But if you really want to make them toast their heads in the bread oven (which is made fresh on a daily basis) you proceed change up the order or add a mysterious sandwich not on the orginal list during the dressing process.

It works I tell you!

I witnessed this first hand and got a little worried when the time finally arrived for the artist to create my turkey breast sub on Italian Herbs & Cheese. Thankfully, the artist was relieved to know that only this guy was about to savor a "five dollar, five dollar foot long."

It might be time to change store locations or find some good local places. I promise not to bring a laundry list.

Friday Fhoto

The male oak flower. Also known as "everywhere"

Mayor Wilder Credited as Voice of Famous Cartoon Character

Office Fax 5.8

In “Job Fair”, Jim hits the links with one Andrew Bernard and Kevin to try and land his biggest client ever. Meanwhile, Michael sets up a booth at a local job fair, which happens to be at Pam’s alma mater. You know Pam, she’s the girl Michael deemed an ugly scientist. Mike’s recruiting trip is geared towards finding “the best and the brightest” for Dunder Mifflin’s summer internship program.

Favorite Quotes from Last Week:

Michael: All right, everybody... Oh my God, Pam, those make you look so ugly. Um, Pam, in order to get hotter, you take the glasses off. You're moving in the wrong direction...

Pam: I don't have my contacts...

Michael: Ub, dub dah, don't need, I can't even hear you. It's just noise coming out of an ugly scientist. Um, everybody, we're going to have a little brainstorming session in the conference room.

Andy: You meet a lot of ladies driving an Xterra, because you pull up to a stoplight, and look over and there's an Xterra next to you. They're always driven by chicks, so there's your icebreaker.

Creed: A lot of jazz cats are blind, but they can play the piano like nobody's business. I'd like to put the piano in front of Pam without her glasses and see what happens. I'd also like to see her topless.

Darryl: Well see, um... in the gang world, we use something called Fluffy Fingers.

Michael: What is that?

Darryl: That's when somebody really gets in your face, you know, you just... start tickling them.

Michael: Really?

NEWMAN!!!!

The UR pellet gunman has been apprehended! Early reports indicate that the perp was 19 year old Seth Newman of Henrico. Newman was charged with a felony for hiding his identity and two misdemeanors for impersonating a police officer - a crime that should not be a misdamenor.

Newman worked as a dishwasher at St. Joesph's Home for the Aged for three years near his house in Henrico's West End. Newman shouldn't have any trouble picking up where he left off in the kitchen if he is to do time behind bars. His next hearing is scheduled for July 3.

King Monroe Headed to Queen City?

Will Rodney Monroe be the chosen one?

That's the question that's been on the mind of many Richmonders recently. Richmond's Chief of Police is on the short list (one of three finalists) to take the same position in Charlotte, North Carolina.

It should be no surprise that Chief Monroe made the cut that initially started out with 46 prospects. Richmond has seen a steady drop in violent crime since Monroe became chief in February 2005.

Should Monroe be chosen and accept the position, he would be taking over a city that once stood toe-to-toe with its neighbor to the north in the 1980's. Then Charlotte promptly annexed the surrounding counties, built a large airport hub for USAIR and brought in professional sports teams, subsequently stomping all over Virginia's capital city.

But with the growth came crime, lots of it. According to the RTD, Charlotte had a 15.3% increase in violent crime in the first quarter of this year compared to the same time in 2007.

While it would be tough to see Chief Monroe go, it should be commended that Richmond's Chief of Police is in the position to move on to bigger and probably more challenging times.

Eight Belles

Watching the most exciting two minutes in sports on Sunday quickly turned into the most horrific 10 minutes just after Big Brown crossed the finish line first in the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby.

NBC announcer Tom Hammond noted that second place horse Eight Belles was injured and being tended to by trainers and veterinarians.

Minutes later it was announced by one of the medical docs at Churchill Downs that the horse had to be euthanized after suffering two broken ankles while galloping out a quarter of a mile past the wire.

I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t care anymore about the favorite Big Brown’s commanding win from the 20 spot, or the fact that I had put a small wager on the muscular filly to pull off the upset win. The horse was dead on the track, surrounded by equine ambulances.

It was only time before PETA would get in on the action, calling for the suspension of Eight Belles jockey Saez because the filly was "doubtlessly injured before the finish."

I’m not a horse racing expert in the slightest degree, but I did think about PETA’s outrageous claim for a while once I heard about it. My questions would be:

Why didn’t we hear from PETA before the Derby? Is this just a way to grab media attention?

Is it cruel that the horse what euthanized on the track, or would it be more cruel to try to save the horse?

Should the filly had been running with the colts to begin with? Only three fillies had competed in the Kentucky Derby before Eight Belles.

In a crammed 20 horse field, why would Saez risk his life, the horse’s life and the life of other competitors to win the race even if Eight Belles was injured?

Regardless, it was a depressing day for a sport that doesn’t need any bad publicity. Think the story will go away? Not anytime soon with the Preakness and Belmont still to go.

Friday Fhoto

Last Night at RIR, Kroger Night with the Drivers raised over $8,000 for Victory Junction Gang Camp. The event included a live auction with signed racing memorabilia and an autograph session with numerous NASCAR stars. The biggest seller of the night, no shocker here, a Dale Earhardt Jr. autographed helmet. It sold for over $2,000. Victory Junction Gang helps the lives of children with chronic illnesses. Click here to learn more about this worthy cause started by Kyle and Pattie, in honor of their son Adam.

Writer Buzz Bissinger isn’t a Fan of Sports Blogs

It’s a day late but damn funny.

Buzz Bissinger can't STAND sports blogs. In particular sites like deadspin.com. The panel discussion on Costas Now includes Deadspin creator Will Leitch, Bissinger and Cleveland Browns receiver Braylon Edwards. To sum it up, Buzz just doesn’t get it. Some language is NSFW.

The Office Fax 5.1

In “Did I Stutter?” Stanley Bo-Banley gets frustrated and snaps at Michael during an important meeting, forcing Michael to give Stanley an attitude adjustment of sorts. Dwight decides to buy Andy’s car. On the office relationship front, Andy and Angela get crazy and do Mad Libs in the break room. Meanwhile, Pam deals with an unexpected inconvenience after spending the night at Jim’s.

Favorite Quotes from Last Week:

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Jim: [notices cleaning crew coming up to the gate] Cleaning people. Oscar. [everyone starts to walk outside] OK, so all you need to do is explain to them what happened, 'cause I think they can help us.

Oscar: Why are you assuming they only speak Spanish?Jim: I... just... if they speak Spanish.

Oscar: [to cleaning people] Good evening, we locked ourselves in. [women don't respond] [repeats his statement in Spanish] , OK? Cleaning lady: Ohh...Oscar: They happened to speak Spanish.

Jim: Lucky us.

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Michael: I've never met anyone who does that. You wash dogs? Very cool.

Girl in 2nd club: That's one aspect of small pet grooming. What do you do?

Michael: I am a bank teller.

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Michael: I umm, thought about getting a tattoo on my back as well at one point. I was thinking about getting "Back to the Future." "Back" because it's on my back and "Future" because I'm the kind of guy who likes to look ahead into the future. I just think a tattoo should mean something, you know? And it's my second favorite movie.