Hey all.  Michael here.  Tonight is going to be so bittersweet for me.  On the one hand, I’m probably going to witness the finest episode of dramatic television ever.  On the other, it is the end of THE SHIELD.  This series blazed a serious trail for all the shows that you see on cable television today.  Before this show, FX was doing ANTIQUES ROADSHOW and had Jeff Probst hosting BACKCHAT (he played my voicemail on air, but they had my name as Michael Benninger.  Fuckers).

I know you can’t watch tonight’s episode without having watched the rest of the series.  This isn’t the show for the casual viewer.  But, I’ve gotta tell you, my dad, who never really follows a TV show with enthusiasm, got hooked on THE SHIELD earlier this year, and now he loves it.

Shawn Ryan, the creator of THE SHIELD, said in an interview I read that he would never end the series the way David Chase ended THE SOPRANOS last year.  So, I have a feeling we are in for something special.

Tonight.  10pm.  FX.

Hey all.  Michael here.  Just a pic to brighten your day.  It brightened mine. 

Hey all.  Michael here.  I think crap like AMERICAN IDOL is ruining America, but to each his own.  Look at the way these girls reacted last year when David Cook beat the other David.  It’s pretty funny. 

Hey all.  Michael here.  Well, while Heather and I were on our honeymoon in July, we rented some movies to watch if we had time.  While at Blockbuster, I finally found a movie I had been wanting to see for about a year: THE KING OF KONG.

It is the story of a science teacher who challenges the record holder for DONKEY KONG, Billy Mitchell.  I believe the challenger’s name is Steve Wiebe.  Anyways, Billy is totally the villain in this story.  Even though the movie is a documentary, the subject creates such tension and drama that you love watching it.  It totally lived up to my expectations, and I’d love to watch it again sometime.  I highly recommend it for everyone if you can find it.

Here is a little clip with some of the “stars” of the movie discussing a video game secret: the kill screen.

Hey all.  Michael here.  I wish I had a national platform like this.  Keith does a great job of pretty much voicing my EXACT opinions on the subject of gay marriage and Prop 8 and all that bullshit that is going on right now.

It IS kind of long, but it is TOTALLY worth watching the entire thing.

Bravo, Mr. Olbermann.  Bravo.

Hey all.  Michael here.  Is McNabb really this stupid?  Maybe it’s time we reconsider allowing black quarterbacks?

There’s always a place for you plowing my fields, Donovan!

(Too soon?)

Hey all.  Michael here.  As some of you know, my brother died three years ago.  Today would have been his 26th birthday.  I go through life just doing the routine.  Without my brother, life really kind of sucks.  I have Sophie and Heather and my parents, which is great, but…it’s not the same as a brother.

I just really miss him, and I wish I could have been there for him.  I thought I was.  Evidentely, I wasn’t.

Brett, I miss you, and I love you.

Hey all.  Michael here.  You may have noticed (or not) that I kind of have a thing for WATCHMEN.  It is a brilliantly-written book (that’s right.  I said book.) and is worthy of your time.  A new trailer came out last night, so I’m embedding that below as well as showing you the fucking BADASS posters and banners that have been designed for the film.  ANY of my people with movie theater contacts or any way to get me these posters, it would be much appreciated.  I don’t ask for much, but these posters are things I must have.

Enjoy!

I <3 Rorschach.

Hey all.  Michael here.  This is Obama’s campaign people set to the opening music and made to look just like THE WEST WING intro.  The flag looks kinda cheesy, but the rest of this video was edited together really well.  For those that don’t know what a great show THE WEST WING was, I say go check it out.  It is SO worth it.  Especially the first few seasons.  The last wasn’t so bad, either. 

Hey all.  Michael here.  These videos and posts I am finding…just great man, great.    Agree?  Disagree?  Blank ballot?  Bueller?