The TRUTH About the OLE MISS Mascot

Well, it's "Ole Miss" week again. The University of Alabama plays the Rebels in the annual SEC matchup in what promises to be a boring, low-scoring matchup between two evenly inept and mediocre programs. But the Tide should prevail. Again. And again. Heck, there won't be any Mannings for a couple of decades, so we should be safe for years to come. Why do I say this? Because we beat them regularly. Even in our worst campaigns ever, we beat Ole Miss. Always. Mike Shula beat them. Even Mike DuBose beat them.
Which brings me to my topic:

Colonel Rebel. The symbol of the University of Mississippi, the last vestiges of a dying culture, was actually inspired by this man:

"BLIND JIM" IVY was a concessions pioneer who sold peanuts at early Ole Miss football contests. (Editor's Note: Not to be confused with Blind Jim Brewer, the bluesman who fled to Chicago) So, to be historically accurate, shouldn't their mascot look more like this....?

I know it's not 'politically correct' but it is more accurate. And, after the Rebels lose a couple of more ugly games, the fans will be jumping ship. Sipping Mint Juleps and talking about the 'War of Nawthun Aggression'.
If they're gonna switch loyalties, my suggestion would be The Vanderbilt Commodores, with minimal mascot/merchandise changes other than color:

Actually, we're pretty evenly-matched. Not much difference between SEC teams. Bama-Arkansas-Georgia-Kentucky-tennessee. Mississippi State shut LSU down for three quarters, but were killed by their own quarterback. The cow college beat Florida. Heck, the Rebels even took the Gators to the wire...! It's that whole 'any given Saturday' thing....

PREDICTION: ALABAMA 24, Ole Miss 13

Dan's Gonna Be A Daddy.....Again!

SEE IT HERE FIRST:

Clarissa and Dan Povenmire are expecting another member to join the cast! As the newest addition to the clan gestates and matures, I will be holding polls and/or contests for guessing gender, weight, names, and various preferences!
Stay tuned!

Nifty Version of Flintstones Theme

My friend Steve Bauer, who plays with "The Wayfarers", a gospel/bluegrass group from Daphne, AL sent me this video:

Being a lover of both Flintstones AND mad guitar, I thoroughly got a charge.

When You Wish Upon Suing Family Guy

Well, seven years after the fact, "When You Wish Upon a Weinstein", a Family Guy episode directed by Dan Povenmire, is generating more controversy. Initially pulled from airing on network television due to material deemed offensive (on FOX, ironically enough!), the installment has since been included in the dvd collections and shown (several times) on Cartoon Network's ADULT SWIM.
Now, the music company who holds the rights to the song "When You Wish Upon a Star", the well-known tune featured in Walt Disney's Pinocchio, is suing Time-Warner, the parent company of Cartoon Network.



E-Online tells a little about it here:
http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=36351312-cb93-4ca2-af08-c6eddf2b9a4c&sid=fd-hot3-txt
And here's this this gem from Variety:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117973320.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

NOW, on a totally unrelated note, here is a nifty video featuring an "Etch-a-Sketch" artist:

Pretty neat, eh? I don't think I have the patience or manual dexterity for THAT...!

Good Local High School Football on ESPN2 (And LOU..!)

Wow! Two local (well, regional, since they're in Baldwin County) teams squared off with a national ESPN2 audience last night. I watched most of it, and at first I thought it was going to be 'The JULIO JONES Show'. Which would have been fine with me. This kid makes it look easy. And he played both ways! I sure hope he comes to THE University of ALABAMA.
And we got to see and hear Kenny 'Snake' Stabler at the game. But the announcers talked more about Mobile than either Foley OR Daphne. Weird.
Now, usually, I hate to watch Lou Holtz's halftime rants. This washed-up 'Granny Clampett' look-a-like who sounds like Sylvester (excuse me-- 'thoundth like Thylvethter) is such a homer and Notre Dame apologist that I just can't sit through his insane 'pep talks'. I mean, he literally rambles incoherently and makes such vague references that even I sometimes can't make them remotely relevant.
Last night, however, during the South Carolina-Kentucky game, he did this:

I LOVE the old 'tearing paper' trick.

ANYhow, The Tide should take care of the Houston Cougars handily. It's Homecoming, so maybe they can put on a show for everyone. And win big. Hopefully, the mistakes can be corrected. If so, this game should be just what Bama needs.
PREDICTION: ALABAMA 38, Houston 14

Florida visits LSU in a good night-game matchup that could get ugly if the Gators play like they did against auburn. LSU has typically started their games slowly, but I think they'll come out clawing Saturday night. And what's with Les Miles and that 'trucker hat'...? That thing sits a mile on top of his head! The Bayou Bengals fans will have been drinking all day, so look for some ugly behavior if Florida comes out on top. It'll be a close one.
PREDICTION: LSU 38, Florida 28

Okay, honestly, I don't care about any of the other games, and as evidenced by last week's picks I obviously don't know much about college football, either. ROLL TIDE.

In Case You Missed It.....

Last night, I happened across a cable-tv showing of a Warner Brothers animated feature from 1999, "The IRON GIANT". This was a well-written and superbly-animated film by Brad Bird (The Incredibles) before he joined Pixar. The animation was gorgeous, and Bird's eye-catching designs captured the 50's sci-fi feel perfectly. If you get a chance, I highly recommend watching it, and/or adding it to your collection.


The use of both traditional animation and computer graphics made for a beautifully-rendered production, and the plot was strong and entertaining. Think "Classic Disney"..... It was a very well-made film that I don't believe was marketed properly by Warner Brothers, otherwise it would have been a much bigger box-office success.

The WHO's Pete Townshend, who is listed as a producer, had previously adapted a version into a rock opera/musical in the late 80's or early 90's, and had attempted to get his made into a feature.

This was the cover to the original novel by Ted Hughes, before the story was watered-down and sugar-coated for mass appeal in America.

AND, on a totally unrelated note, I thought you would also appreciate an old character model sheet from the old 'TerryToons' series "TOM TERRIFIC":

I used to watch this when it was shown on "CAPTAIN KANGAROO".

R-O-N-G (Wrong!)

Well, I proved that I know absolutely NOTHING about college football, specifically Alabama Crimson Tide football. (Apparently, neither do all of the oddsmakers, bettors, prognosticators, commentators, pollsters or talking heads....!)
The Crimson Tide proved me wrong about Saturday, as did most everyone else in the SEC and NCAA Division 1 football competition. I will admit I am a bit of a 'homer', and believe that Alabama will win every game. I even expect it. And I should know better. After years of sub-par performances and disappointment, I should be used to losing. But I'm not. I don't accept it. I know that Coach Saban doesn't expect it, and I know the players certainly don't enjoy the feeling. The boys will improve as I stated in my previous post, and I will support them regardless.
Like I always say, ROLL TIDE ANYWAY!
The lovely stepdaughter and BAMA grad Michelle was in town, and posed with a shy Fifi before the game:


Here's a shot of Fifi by herself sporting her colors: