And, so, baseball's silly season begins

 By that, of course, I mean the playoffs, which begin with the Wild Card round tomorrow. The Divisional round is set to start Saturday.

Let's take a look at the Wild Cards:

American League:

Chicago @ Houston (5 pm, NBC/Peacock): The Astros held off Texas to claim the AL West, while the resurgent White Sox led the Central for a good chunk of the year before losing the division to Cleveland. You would think the Astros' experience in the playoffs would be a factor in their favor, but  their time has passed. Chicago wants to prove they're not a flash in the pan.

Pick: Chicago in 3.

Boston @ Yankees (8 pm, NBC/Peacock): A rematch from last year's 1st round, won by the Yankees, who have proven they can win without Aaron Judge. Pitching will carry the Yankees, opposite a Red Sox team that got off the mat to make it this far after dumping Alex Cora early in the season. As was the case last year, all three games are at Yankee Stadium. Boston will be lucky to move on.

Pick: Yankees in 3.

National League:

Philadelphia @ Atlanta (2 pm, NBC/Peacock): The Phillies needed to beat Tampa Bay Sunday to just get in. Atlanta reclaimed its perch atop the NL East. Philadelphia will not have any home field advantage, as their rowdy fans will have to stay home or buy bus tickets. Aside from Zack Wheeler & Christopher Sanchez, the Phils' pitching has been spotty. And they have the albatross of having Bryce Harper, who's never won a World Series.

Pick: Atlanta in 3.

Chicago @ San Diego (10 pm, Peacock; NBC picks up the game after Yankees-Red Sox): The Cubs have become media darlings thanks to MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has had a breakout season. The 2nd City would love it if both of their teams get past the 1st round. Aside from their 1-2 punch of Fernando Tatis, Jr. & Manny Machado, the Padres have an underrated offense that can surprise.

Pick: Chicago in 3.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Celebrity Rock: Don't Go Breakin' My Heart (1976)

 From season 2 of One Day At a Time):

Barbara & Julie (Valerie Bertinelli & Mackenzie Phillips) masquerade as Elton John & Kiki Dee to cover "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart". Intro by Schneider (Pat Harrington):

Hard to believe Valerie was just 16 when she taped this.

Maybe he should do some reading before opening his mouth

 I'm referring to Alabama carpetbagger Tommy Tuberville, who went off on a misguided, misinformed rant regarding "furries" in the airline industry. 

Tommy Tubes is running for governor in Alabama, which he currently represents as a US Senator, and we've documented previously that there are reports he maintains a home in Florida, which would make him ineligible to run in Alabama. Today's GOP, however, doesn't care about rules.

Anyway, check this:

Apparently, Tuberville couldn't be bothered to actually, you know, do some reading about "furries" before opening his mouth.

If it's true about his being a carpetbagger, well, if he loses in November, stick a fork in him. He's done.

Awww, this is too cute

 Justin Verlander pitched his final game today with Detroit. After a career that saw him go from the Tigers to Houston, the Mets, and San Francisco before returning to Motown, Verlander not only was lifted from the game by manager AJ Hinch, but also by his daughter, Genevieve.....! Jason Benetti on the call.

Now, that is a Kodak moment. Apparently, having Verlander's wife, model Kate Upton, don a Tiger jersey would've been too obvious.

Family Fridays: Meanwhile, Back at The Cabin (Beverly Hillbillies, 1962)

 From season 1 of The Beverly Hillbillies:

While the Clampetts have settled in Beverly Hills, Cousin Pearl (Bea Benaderet, The Flintstones) is minding the store back in their old cabin. However, the Clampetts have run out of water, except for what is in their cement pond.

Includes an in-show ad for Kellogg's Corn Flakes with Jethro (Max Baer) & Jane (Nancy Kulp).

Weasel of the Week: Care to take a guess?

 China's Xi Jinping is in Washington this week, and the official pandering twit of the USA, Donald Trump, hosted a state dinner for him on Thursday night at the White House.

CNN, Politico, & MS Now had their press credentials reinstated earlier in the day via judge's order, but, as we'd find out, CNN & MS Now had their reporters banned from the dinner. Why? Because Trump thumbed his nose at the judge's order, then had the audacity to claim the outlets pulled a no-show. You can't have it both ways, fella.

Trump also had the lack of brains to call Democrats "communists", when he had the leader of one of the few communist countries left visiting with him. No one filters what Trump says because of his volatile, impulsive nature. For this, he gets another set of Weasel ears, plus a tail.

Grow up, Mr. President.

Who do New Yorkers really want in November?

 You've seen the ads all summer.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman would rather use AI generated images to smear NY Governor Kathy Hochul than deal in facts. Hochul's camp, meanwhile, is playing up Blakeman's shameless loyalty to president Trump, ignorant of the damage Trump has caused since returning to Washington in 2025.

A Trump cheerleader.

Blakeman has blinded himself to reality, thinking that the unstable genius is doing a great job. Trailing by 9 points according to a recent Siena poll, Blakeman is finding out the hard way, as Lee Zeldin did four years ago, that just being associated with Trump, and they happen to be good friends, is asking for trouble.

Governor Hochul, however, isn't as popular, leaving the door open for an upset.

Still, it's rare that an incumbent loses a bid for a 2nd term. Blakeman has to lose the AI and smears, and agree to a debate.

Then, there's a vacancy in the 21st Congressional District, where Elise Stefanik had been before resigning. Farmer Blake Gendebein and Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino are dueling for the empty seat. Both are political newcomers. Constantino doesn't mention his company by name in his ads, largely because the Amsterdam-based company sounds too rural on a larger stage. The statue he erected in honor of Trump marks him as another shameless Trump drone. Gendebein's approach could work a little better with emphasis on the issues. Again, a debate would be necessary.

The mission for Hochul & Gendebein is to confront their GOPer counterparts on the issues, and raise the fact that Trump is making it more difficult for New Yorkers to survive because of his misguided policies.

November 3 can't come soon enough.

Sports this 'n' that

 The Mets took the interim tag off manager Andy Green prior to Tuesday's win over Texas, giving him a 3 year extension. Similarly, in Boston, the Red Sox did the same with Chad Tracy. Philadelphia, on the other hand, hasn't exactly made a commitment to Don Mattingly, whose son, Preston, is in the Phillies' front office.

Andy Green. Photo courtesy Yahoo!.

The Phils & Red Sox are set for the playoffs, which begin next week. The Mets are not. Still, having stability in the dugout is a wonderful thing.

The Giants, on the other hand, will lose 2nd year QB Jaxson Dart for the season after an MCL sprain led to reports of knee surgery following Monday's loss to the Rams. Jameis Winston will be the starter going forward, but Big Blue will be looking for help prior to Sunday's game vs. Tennessee.

Texas, the #1 team in college football, will visit Tennessee on Saturday. They should hope not to get any sort of endorsement from the worst sports fan in America.

Yeah, president Trump is heading to Knoxville for the game. Anything to leech attention away from the players. If only they could seat him next to that Liberty Biberty puppet. It's his speed.

Fox must love Ohio State. The network will feature the Buckeyes for the 3rd time this month on Saturday, with Big Noon Saturday, their pre-game show, originating from Columbus.

Notes from around town

 Dollar Tree is down one store in the 518.

The Albany Times-Union is reporting that the chain's Colonie location on Albany-Shaker Road was closed by the town of Colonie due to being "unfit for human occupancy". In other words, it had to have been in a severe state of disrepair for the town officials to step in.

No word on whether or not the store will reopen.

Real estate mogul Anthony Gucciardo has been a fixture on local television between commercials and infomercials, the latter with retired WRGB reporter Jack Aernecke as the moderator.

Last month, Gucciardo decided to try radio, landing a deal with WROW AM/FM for a Saturday morning show moderated by Ben Patten. Gucciardo, in effect, replaces John Bevilacqua, whose show was cancelled a year ago. Meanwhile, the Anderson Autism Center has taken over the Saturday 8 am berth, which the Herzog Law Firm gave up when they ended their run on August 1. Hey, I'd be happy if they replayed both on Sundays, too.

In case you haven't noticed, Unagi Sushi has moved from its long standing 4th Street home across the road to the former Tony of Italy salon. The eatery will reopen after renovations are completed. In the meantime, a new restaurant will soon open in the former Star Bartending School. Expect Craveon to be ready in a few weeks, if not sooner.

The White House launches Trump TV. It immediately tanks

 After deciding to ban CNN, MS Now, & Politico from the White House because of their reporting facts, president Trump found himself in a most unusual situation on Monday. One that, well, is his own fault.

ABC, NBC, CBS, & Fox News banded together with CNN to suspend press pool coverage, leaving only One America & Newsmax, and any other right wing garbage dispensing service, to cover President Onions.

The response from the White House? How about we take our YouTube channel, and make it Trump TV?

Oh, boy, did that go over like a wet fart. Archived speeches of Orange Narcissus aired on the channel starting Monday night, and viewership actually went down as the evening went on, per media reports.

Today, Trump was at the UN, where CNN's Kaitlin Collins was invited by the UN. Trump, of course, pitched a fit.

Given the threat of litigation from CNN, MS Now, & Politico, I'd think Trump will cave in first. He found out the hard way that he crossed too many lines with the media, and as of yesterday, he's paying for it. Seeing him try to give a speech with no microphones around was lovely to see.

You made your bed, Mr. President. Now, lie in it.

The weekend in GOP stupidity

 On Sunday, Republicans found themselves having to defend the indefensible on national television.

First, Wyoming's John Barrasso falsely claimed that president Trump had not violated the 1st Amendment when he banned MS Now, CNN, & Politico from the White House. Barrasso was interviewed on NBC's Meet The Press. Truth is, Trump did.

Someone should spend a day reading the Constitution to this man.

Not long after, Steve Scalise was left fumbling when he tried to defend Trump on ABC's This Week when interviewed by Jonathan Karl.

At the end of the day, Trump's impulsive action has left his party scrambling. Of course. He's 80 years of age physically. Mentally is another story altogether.

Then comes word this morning that MS Now, CNN, & Politico have, predictably, filed suit against Trump, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, & communications flack Steven Cheung, seeking to lift the ban. That'll force Trump to reverse course. We think.

Sports this 'n' that

 Best wishes to the Mets' Jared Young, who is in the concussion protocol, and out for the season after a nasty collision with teammate Nolan McLean Thursday in a loss to Philadelphia. The Mets have won two straight since.

Today was supposed to be a celebration of long time announcer Howie Rose, but the retirement ceremony has been pushed back to next spring due to rain. So far, the game, set for a 1:10 (ET) first pitch, is still on despite the rain. If anything, the Mets have put a crimp in the Phillies' post-season aspirations.

If you thought LSU would roll through the regular season under Lane Kiffin, think again.

Kiffin and the Tigers were served some humble pie Saturday in a 32-24 loss to Mississippi. ESPN's cameras were in Oxford all day, starting with College GameDay, with Mississippi alumnus Morgan Freeman as their guest picker for the week.

With the loss, maybe now the next game for LSU will be just another game. Just sayin'.

The Yankees are hoping to get Aaron Judge back in time for the postseason after Judge went on the IL again for a calf strain. The Bombers have shown they can win without Judge, but the hype machine has to have something.......

Texas QB Arch Manning has landed his first endorsement deals, following in the footsteps of uncles Peyton & Eli. The ad for Warby Parker glasses is in heavy rotation on ESPN.

What next? High schoolers landing regional endorsement deals?

Insight Sundays: A Thief Named Dismas (1965)

 Insight Sundays returns with 1965's "A Thief Named Dismas", starring Beverly Garland, John Dehner, & Marge Redmond.

Beyond pathetic, part 2: MS Now, CNN, & Politico banned from the White House due to "fake news"

 President Onions (Donald Trump) announced earlier today that he was banning CNN, MS Now, & Politico from the White House due to what he claims is constant reporting of "fake news".

Roughly translated, they're reporting the facts, as they should, not his delusional world view.

Grumpy, isn't he?

Being a public figure for virtually half of his life, you'd think he'd learn to accept criticism, but, nope. He has also threatened other unnamed news outlets with bans. The man just doesn't get it. He wants to be revered and respected, but his behavior nullifies that.

It should be pointed out that Trump didn't specify which recent reports angered him to the point of making this fool's decision. It comes with the territory, but you can't make him understand that. I'd chalk it up to a sign of old age, but what else could it be?

Beyond pathetic: Donald Trump wants his name back on the Kennedy Center, and will withhold funding if he doesn't get it

 Earlier this year, Donald Trump was told by a judge he is not allowed to have his name added to the Kennedy Center. Of course, the crybaby president didn't take that too well, and with reports this week that the Center would be closed for 2 years, supposedly for renovations, everyone can see right through this scam. The Big Orange Baby wants his name added back on, and doesn't care, obviously, what anyone thinks.

"My name belongs on the building!!!"

No, it doesn't. You keep whining about recognition you don't deserve, and the entire world now can see you for what you've always been. A pampered punk who never grew up. You haven't earned the right to share the Center. This is the most blatant show of disrespect yet. You don't own the building!

That's the part he doesn't comprehend. Being president doesn't give him carte blanche to do what he wants. He refuses to run anything past Congress, which is how things are supposed to be done.

Bellevue is waiting.

The introduction of Aunt Jemima syrup (1967)

 Quaker Oats was a primary sponsor of Bewitched in its early years, leading to plenty of in-show commercials, like this one, which introduced Aunt Jemima syrup. Not sure if this is from season 3 or 4.

Prefaced with a sponsor tag with an animated Darrin holding a box of Life cereal (voiceover by Gary Owens):

Today, of course, Aunt Jemima was rebranded as the Pearl Milling Company, and Quaker sold off much of the products to Pinnacle Brands.

NFL this 'n' that

 For all the whining over the Jests & Giants playing in New Jersey, yet representing New York, the whining stopped for at least a week after the two teams, and Buffalo, all won their openers. The Bills had a thriller with Houston before winning, 36-31. The Jets spoiled former coach Robert Saleh's debut with Tennessee, 23-10, and the Giants stunned Dallas, 28-20.

Now, we'll see if all three make the playoffs........

In Cleveland, 1st year coach Todd Monken is sticking with DeShaun Watson, despite the Browns getting spanked on Sunday. Seems to me that Monken needs to swap out the blinders in exchange for one of these......

Just sayin'.

Chicago dropped 59 on Carolina, which may be a portent of things to come for the reigning NFC North champs.

Pundits are having fun with the fact that president Trump threw his support behind fellow geriatric dimbulb Jerry Jones and the Cowboys, so of course the Cowboys lost. Nah. Trump doesn't know football any more than Stephen A. Smith does, and we'll leave it at that.

Subway Series 2026: Who really owns New York?

 The Yankees, barring a collapse in the next couple of weeks, will be in the playoffs. The Mets? Not so much, but you couldn't tell from the way these two teams have gotten after it in the Subway Series.

The Mets won 2 of 3 at Citi Field in May, and have split the first two games this weekend at Yankee Stadium after blowing out Gerrit Cole and the Bombers, 12-2, earlier today. Dating back to 2024, Cole has been abused by the Mets in three consecutive starts. Ouch, babe!

Check the video.

Tomorrow, the Yanks will have Cam Schlittler on the mound to try to salvage a split of the series against the Mets' Christian Scott. This should be fun.

25 years ago today.......

 I can remember where I was in 2001.

I was at work. I had gone to the break room, and someone had left the TV on. Like everyone else, I was stunned to see the World Trade Center destroyed.

We all know what's happened since, even though Pecos Donald (Donald Trump) is changing the story of his experience, largely because of his advanced age.

Following is a video from National Geographic's YouTube channel:

We will never forget.....

Republicans are scared of James Talarico. Deal with it!

 Earlier this year, Stephen Colbert had Texas Senate candidate James Talarico on his Late Show, but the interview was booted to YouTube due to bullying from FCC head scumbag Brendan Carr, misusing his authority in service to president Trump. Something about the equal time regulations, but misinterpreted by the GOP.

Now, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel will have Talarico on his show, but Kimmel announced on Wednesday that the interview would air on YouTube. Carr and the FCC have been bullying ABC for months, mostly because they don't like the anti-Trump commentary.

Deal with it, turds! It's called free speech!

This is more about protecting Talarico's opponent, Texas DA Ken-L Ration Paxton, and keeping Talarico off national airwaves as much as possible. This is wrong. With the baggage Paxton has, the GOPers are afraid he'll lose, and would rather misuse the FCC to block Talarico.

If there was a way to boot Carr from the FCC, and block Trump from hiring another toady to take his place, things change. As it is, Carr gets the Weasel ears for abusing his authority. Kimmel's pre-emptive action will draw more eyeballs to his YouTube channel, and, there's not thing one Carr can do about it.

And, here's the interview:

Musical Interlude: The Old Landmark (1980)

 You know this next item. 

"The Old Landmark", a la James Brown, with a side order of the Blues Brothers.

Brown would return in "Blues Brothers 2000" 18 years later.

Wild West Wednesdays: Shoot Out at Dark (Tombstone Territory, 1957)

 From season 1 of Tombstone Territory:

John Beradino guests as a parolee looking to get married and live a peaceful life. Some old friends have other ideas......

Advertising for Dummies: Do we really need a camel on a Wednesday? (2013)

 One of the lamest GEICO commercials of all time......

13 years later, the camel is back to help promote tomorrow's Patriots-Seahawks rematch on NBC. I'm already sick of it.