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"If It's In The News... It's News To Us"

Oh, oh, you may want to plug your ears…

Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals in New York threw out the FCC’s broadcast indecency policy.  They ruled it arbitrary, capricious and unconstitutionally vague, saying that it imposed a chilling effect on free speech because the FCC could sock broadcasters with huge fines for undefined infractions that weren’t planned or predictable.  TV stations were hit with $200,000 fines because they didn’t know Janet Jackson’s breast was going to be exposed at the Super Bowl.  

This just in…Janet Jackson has announced that in honor of the court ruling, she’ll expose her “other” boob at next year’s Super Bowl.

This is true…It was because of the Janet Jackson incident that our morning show was put on a :15 second delay.  But it wasn’t really that #@!* of a deal.

This is great news for Mel Gibson…He can now give up acting and become a shock jock.

 

Okay, everybody “OUT” of the pool!

Officials in Austria are urging swimmers to help conserve water and pool chemicals at Vienna’s 18 public baths and pools by keeping their mouths shut when they swim.  During the current heat wave, people are flocking to public pools, and officials estimate that visitors are swallowing up to 1,320 gallons of pool water a day.  

You especially want to keep your mouth shut at the kiddie end of the pool.

This reminds me of a certain pool scene in Caddy Shack.  Remember?

Water loss from pools is exactly why Big Al is banned from doing “Cannon Balls”.

 

Hey you kids, get out of my bank!

Last Friday a geriatric robber believed to be in his 70s entered a high-end clothing store in Manhattan.  He was using a cane and an oxygen tank when he pulled out a gun and announced a stick-up.  He fired a shot at a fleeing customer and two at a manager, but none of them hit anyone.  Police said he fled in a black Cadillac.  

He did it in a crazy attempt to impress Betty White.

There’s only one defense attorney who could handle this case:  “Matlock”.

There’s an All-Points-Bulletin to be on the lookout for a black Cadillac driving 20 mph with its right blinker on.

The same man is wanted in three states for stealing “Sweet-N-Low” packages from restaurants.

 

(Everybody Sing!)  “London sewers are filling up, filling up.  London sewers are filling up…

Apparently a lot of eateries in London aren’t complying with orders to stop pouring cooking grease down their kitchen drains.  It’s become so bad that a team of water company workers has donned breathing masks and taken shovels into the sewers to remove 1,000 tons of fat clogging the sewers.  They say it hardens quickly, and they couldn’t even access the sewers at first because they were blocked by a four-foot-thick wall of solid fat.  

It’s like doing liposuction on Kirstie Alley.

If the shoveling doesn’t work, they’ll just start pouring Lipitor down the sewers.

Have you experienced British cooking?  They should just pour the whole meal down the drain!

 

Move over Phantom of the Opera!

An Arkansas songwriter and poet have written an opera about Bill Clinton.  It’s called “Billy Blythe,” and it’s about his difficult childhood.  It was inspired by Clinton’s autobiography and is set to debut in September at the White Water Tavern in Little Rock. 

Its like most operas, except the Clinton Opera isn’t over until the Fat Lady “has relations” with Bill.

Bill has offered to help the female lead reach the “high notes”.

The Clinton opera features the stirring love theme, “Pants On The Ground”.

 

And finally, put this in your pipe and…

Happy Birthday to Popeye the Sailor Man who is 77 years young today.  To help with his aches and pains, Popeye now stuffs his pipe with medical marijuana.

 

That’s all for “Hump Day!”  See you tomorrow!

Dick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ladies and Gentlemen, the One and Only…Marilyn Monroe!

Sorry this is a little late, but…

Happy Birthday to You,

Happy Birthday to You,

Happy Birthday Dear Mr. Retired Radio Personality,

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

(Followed by a high pitched giggle)

Looking for an appetite suppressant?  Stick the above photo on your frig!

 

And now to the news that really matters….

KWAME WAS BACK IN TOWN TODAY!!!!  And you’ll never believe it; he pleaded “not guilty” to a 19-count federal grand jury indictment.  Of course he did.  The Kwamster arrived in court looking resplendent in an orange jumpsuit and shackles.  What I would call “Shabby Chic”; but perfect for this time of year.  And guess what else?  He claimed to have no money to pay for an attorney.  Of course he did.  Heck, what do you expect, he’s given all of his money back to the City of Detroit, right?  (Yeah, right!)  I say “Super Fieger” should swoop down and save the day for the ex-mayor.  He won’t be a flight risk, because I don’t even think Super Fieger could pick up Kwame and fly away!        

 

From the “You Can’t Make This Up” Department…

A headline seen at ClickOnDetroit.com read:  “After 12 years, Woods may switch putters.”

- I’m not surprised.  After last year alone it’s got to be pretty much worn out.

- He can always sell it on Craig’s list as “Previously enjoyed”.

- Maybe Elin Nordegrin is getting the old one in the divorce settlement.

I know, I should’ve yelled “FORE” before sharing these lines!

 

Last But Certainly the Best…

Good luck to former U of M Head Coach Lloyd Carr who has announced that he will retire on September 1st from his university administrative position.  Coach Carr gave us a lot to cheer about and a lot to be proud of during his tenure, including a National Title in 1997!  We had the privilege of interviewing Coach Carr on the morning show for a few seasons and he’s a first class gentleman  on and off the field.  All the best Coach to you and your family.  Oh, and if your wife needs any tips on how to handle a retired husband - just have her give my wife Gail a call.  Oh, and one other thing Coach…if you’re looking for a mall-walking partner, count me in!

And now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to retire…to my Lazy Boy.  More tomorrow everybody!

Dick   

 

 

 

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LeBron Gets the Heat and Cleveland Gets the Cold Shoulder…

The LeBron James Fiasco is exactly why Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo did the right thing and stayed out of the NBA fray and stayed put in East Lansing.  Year after year Tom MOLDS A TEAM out of very good basketball players, not super stars, just very good basketball players, and teaches them to over achieve.  And in doing so the Spartans have been to the Final Four 6 times in the last 12 years.   

LeBron James on the other hand will never have the satisfaction of saying he stayed in Cleveland and won a championship with a team HE led and molded into a champion.  He’s taking the high road and going where supposedly better talent will take him to the Promised Land.  It can’t be more satisfying can it?  Wasn’t it gratifying to watch the Pistons win their titles over the years knowing that they were a blue collar team that stayed together and scratched and clawed their way to the top?

Yes, LeBron did give Cleveland seven outstanding years, and yes he is entitled to better himself.  That’s free enterprise and if you’re an American, you can’t argue against LeBron’s right to take that journey in the “pursuit of happiness”.  So many athletes have done it before him, just not with as much fanfare.  Had LeBron simply announced his decision at a standard press conference, he probably could have saved himself some bad press.  BUT A ONE-HOUR PRIME TIME SPECIAL?!  That’s rubbing it in the faces of Cleveland fans and sports fans in general.  You could say it was just a bit “CAVALIER” of LeBron, don’t ya think?  

I can’t help but recall what Al Kaline did when the Tigers offered him $100,000 in 1971.  He was so embarrassed that he turned it down and would only take 90 grand!  I found this quote on the Internet that was attributed to Kaline… “I don’t deserve such a salary. I didn’t have a good season last year. This ball club has been so fair and decent to me that I’d prefer to have you give it to me when I rate it.”  That’s the storybook type of tale that used to make sports so captivating.

So now LeBron James is off to a team with a few more All-Stars and a better chance, but not a guarantee, to win a title.  In a way he did pick the right team – the Miami Heat, because LeBron, after your free agency circus…THE “HEAT” WILL DEFINITELY BE ON YOU!

Have a safe and fun weekend!  (Ahhhh, enjoy that cooler weather, too!)

Big Al

 


 

 

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You don’t need to be a “LeBrain” surgeon to tell this LeBron James deal is out of control!

Can you believe ESPN is blocking out an hour of time tonight at 9:00 to provide LeBron James a national televised forum to announce where he’ll play basketball next season?  ESPN has titled the show “The Decision”.  My decision?  To DVR it and watch the only important part of the show later, that being the :10 seconds it takes LeBron to announce where he’s playing!

 *******

Waiter, an extra napkin and a defibrillator please…

Health.com has listed the 50 Fattest Foods in the U.S., choosing one dish from each U.S. state.  Some of the more unusual dishes:  New York’s “Garbage Plate,” a dish that combines meat, home fries, macaroni salad and baked beans on one plate, drenched in mustard, onions and hot sauce and weighing in at 3 pounds.  Then there’s Indiana’s Fried Brain Sandwich, which is literally a battered pork brain on a bun…

Sounds like Big Al is going on a road trip this summer!

Fried Brain Sandwich?  Why that’s Lindsay Lohan’s favorite dish!

  *******

Now here’s a menu item I can relate to…

Wasilla, Alaska, has a new claim to fame besides Sarah Palin.  Local distiller Toby Foster has created a smoked salmon flavored vodka that’s already available in Alaska bars, and he hopes to take it nationwide.  Foster said it took him about 50 tries to perfect smoked salmon vodka.

I wonder…What kind of wine goes with salmon-flavored vodka?  Red or white?

Hey, no wonder salmon swim UP stream…THEY’RE DRUNK!

Next drink special ready to hit the market…Tuna Tequila!

  *******

Some Post July 4th History…

Well even though the 4th of July Weekend is now but a distant memory, we thought we’d pass along one historical reference that got by us…Last week marked the 232nd anniversary that Mary Ludwig Hays carried water to American Revolutionary soldiers at the Battle of Monmouth, New Jersey.  She became known in history as “Molly Pitcher”.

Of course when she got tired they brought a “Relief Pitcher”  (Keep the groans to yourself please)

Big Al points out that Molly wasn’t as popular as the woman with the big jugs…of water.  (Go to your room Big Al)

 

More news we can abuse…Tomorrow at DickPurtan.com.

Dick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THE TOP 9 WAYS I’M KEEPING COOL…

#9…As we speak, my wife Gail is fanning me while I relax in my hammock.

#8…When the Heat Index is over 90 degrees; I can’t watch any movies starring Ashley Judd or Jamie Lee Curtis.

#7…I get out the blender and make a nice Salmon Blizzard.  (Careful, watch for the bones)

#6…I get my grandkids’ Slip & Slide out and slide from one end of my backyard to the other.  (I hope the kids don’t come over until I’m done using it)

#5…I go to the nearest 7-11 and stick my head under the Slurpee spout.  (I heard some stores actually carry De-Café Diet Coke Slurpees!)

#4…I put on my Speedo and run through the fountain at Hart Plaza.

#3…I stick my head out of my car window like my dogs used to do.

#2…I fill my Sleep Number Bed air chambers with cold water.  (DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME…IT’S ONLY A JOKE)

And the #1 way I’m keeping cool?…I put on some nice Christmas Music!  “Tis the season to be sweating, fa la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!”

STAY COOL AND SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW, HOPEFULLY WITH LESS HUMIDITY AND MORE LEVITY!!!

Dick 

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Rest in Peace Bob June 5, 1965 – July 5, 2010

Like many metro Detroiters, the joy of a long holiday weekend was disrupted Monday afternoon when I heard the sad news that former Detroit Red Wing Bob Probert had passed away.  

As all news outlets are reporting, the former NHL tough guy apparently complained of chest pains while spending an afternoon boating on Lake St. Clair with his family.  He collapsed and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bob and his family.  Probert leaves his wife Dani and four children behind.  Within just the last few minutes, (Tuesday 3:20 p.m.) I saw a late report coming in at the Detroit News website that states no foul play played a role in Bob’s death.   

Bob’s Red Wing career lasted from 1985 to 1994, followed by several years with the Chicago Black Hawks.  He was drafted the same year as Steve Yzerman and a great deal of his playing time was acting as an “enforcer”, protecting “The Captain” and his fellow teammates.  As a legendary fighter on the ice, Bob racked up 3,300 penalty minutes in his career, the fifth highest total in the NHL record books.  In surfing the Internet about Bob I actually came across a website called hockeyfights.com.  Yes, there’s a website for everything. 

But it was no secret that many of Bob Probert’s toughest battles were his fights off the ice, including problems with cocaine and alcohol.  However, from everything I’ve read about Bob Probert, despite his demons, he was as nice and caring off the ice as he was tough on the ice.  I think we would all agree that is a far better legacy.

We invite you to share your thoughts and sentiments about Bob Probert right here at dickpurtan.com or on my Facebook page.

Once again, on behalf of all of Purtan’s People, our heartfelt condolences go out to the Probert family.

Dick    

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Happy 4th (On the 5th) of July!

Big Al here…How do you like the picture of the flag?  One of my favorite things to watch is Old Glory blowing in the wind.  (Sorry, I don’t know enough tricks on my computer to get the flag to move.  My kids do, but they don’t have the patience to teach me.  Can’t blame them.)

Can you remember a more beautiful July 4th weekend weather-wise?  Perfect.

Also perfect…Two fabulous television programs I enjoyed that captured the essence of what this holiday is all about.  Sunday night on PBS, I watched “A Capitol 4th”, live from the Mall in Washington D.C.  They celebrated the 30th anniversary of the show with the usual line up of music, stirring patriotic messages and of course spectacular fireworks.  I’m a push over for patriotism and it gets to me every time.  One of the performers was Gladys Knight who I had the honor and privilege of performing with on stage at the Fox Theater some years back.  It was a brief cameo appearance in the theatrical production of “Smokey Joe’s Café”.  What does this have to do with the 4th of July?  Absolutely nothing.  It’s just another shameless plug from yours truly. 

I also watched several riveting installments of “Liberty! The American Revolution” on the History Channel.  (Honest, I did.  I’m not just trying to impress Dick)  It provided an in-depth look at the Revolutionary War, the work of the Continental Congress, the birth of our nation and our Proud First PaPa…George Washington.

* I didn’t realize how reluctant Washington was about being chosen our first president.  Exhausted from years on the battlefield, all he wanted to do was return to Martha and spend his remaining days at his beloved Mount Vernon home.  When you think about it, it’s a story that almost mirrors Dick’s retirement.

But Washington gave into the pressure of his fellow patriots and agreed to serve.  And you know what?  He had to be the best president our nation has ever known.  If not for the simple fact that he didn’t have to RUN for office!  No pressure from lobbyists, no campaign promises to break, no flip-flopping on issues to get re- elected!  Pretty refreshing, huh?

What made the greatest impact on me from this fine PBS production, was the genius of our nation’s founders.  Collectively, a group of courageous men with varied opinions and backgrounds engaged in heated debate until finally a Constitution was written and the foundation of a nation, like none other, was born.  And it got me to thinking (which I count as an aerobic exercise).  Could 1776 have been the last time a group of politicians got together and actually agreed on something for the common good?  I’m not discounting landmark legislation like Civil Rights and the Right for Women to Vote.  (I think the jury is still out on a Woman’s Right to Vote….just kidding)  The point is, there’s so much divisiveness today that it makes you wonder. 

I think it should be mandatory for our elected officials - Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike – to watch “Liberty! The American Revolution”.  It might just be the perfect refresher course they need to get back to the basics.  I mean, if a group of guys in wigs and puffy white shirts could compromise enough to form a country, would it be too much to ask today’s elected officials in tailored suits/pantsuits to do everything they can to preserve it?

Okay, time for me to get off my soapbox and enjoy the remaining part of the holiday.  No, I’m not going to a great sale on washers and dryers.  I’m off to a barbeque with family and friends to do the two most important things an American can do on its National Birthday:  Thank God for America and over eat!

Be well and see you next time here at DickPurtan.com!

“Big Al”

*  Historical facts stated by Big Al should definitely be double checked.

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"The Week that Was…"

It’s Friday… one of the best of the year!  It kicks off the long 4th of July Holiday Weekend. 

As for the week…

Al Gore’s world is warming up a lot faster than even he could have predicted.  Police have re-opened an investigation into whether he sexually assaulted a massage therapist.  She called him a “Sex-Crazed Poodle”.  Or a “Scroodle” for short…

Tiger and Elin Woods have reportedly forged out a divorce settlement, which would give her $750 million bucks and custody of the kids.  But Forbes magazine says his net worth is only $600 million.  Either way, after monthly expenses, Tiger says he’ll be left with just six dollars.  No wait… that’s someone else…

Speaking of Kwame… Like so many Michiganders, he’ll spend the holiday weekend  “Up North”.  Of course he’s already there – in Prison.  I guess he went up early to beat the traffic…

The Kilpatrick family was busy this week… Carlita packed up the kids and moved out of their million-dollar mini-mansion in Dallas.  A spokesperson for the family said they’re “down-sizing” – which is, ironically what Kwame’s doing courtesy of the bad prison food.  By the way, the moving company Carlita hired?  “Two Men and a Schmuck”.

Larry King announced that he’ll retire from “Larry King Live” in the fall.  Not too much of an argument out of CNN since some feel lately he’s been looking more like “Larry King Dead”.

On a personal note…

Gail and I took Jackie out for a big birthday dinner on Wednesday night.  (Okay, it was a Coney Island… but we had a bunch of the grandkids with us).  We had a great time listening to the kids (ages 8, 8 & 6) discuss the culinary merits of dipping deep-fried mozzarella sticks in Ketchup instead of Ranch dressing.  They asked me to be a taste-tester, but I said I’d only do it if they’d try my Salmon Wrap.  Guess how that worked out? 

Speaking of Birthdays… America celebrates it’s 234th this weekend.  Below are two quotes that my daughter Jackie came across, that she thought fit the weekend beautifully and I agree.  Here they are…

“America is the greatest, freest and most decent society in existence.  It is an oasis of goodness in a desert of cynicism and barbarism.  This country, once an experiment unique in the world, is now the last best hope for the world.” - Dinesh D’Souza

“There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969)

Have a safe and wonderful weekend!  God Bless you and your families and God Bless America!

-Dick

 

 

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"If It's In The News... It's News To Us"

More Gore-y Details…

The massage therapist who claims Al Gore of assaulting her like a “crazed poodle” has gone public with an interview in the National Enquirer.  Molly Hagerty claims she has DNA evidence on her pants, a witness and hotel surveillance cameras to back her up.  Police in Portland Oregon have re-opened the case.

- This is one of the first cases ever of the masseuse claiming the client “rubbed her the wrong way”.

- Too bad Bill Clinton has allegedly cleaned up his act or he and Al could double date! 

MEANWHILE…

The therapist says when she first mentioned it to her liberal friends about the incident, one told her, “keep quiet or we’ll all be destroyed by Global Warming.”  She did keep quiet for a while, but now claims, “Al Gore is a pervert and sexual predator”.

- This explains it!  He invented the Internet so he could watch porn!

- And according to her, he’s got a Dimpled Chad!  (And you thought we were going to say “Hanging Chad”!)

*****

Word on the street is that Tiger Woods wife Elin has agreed to a $750 million divorce settlement.   As for custody – Elin gets the kids and Tiger would not be allowed to bring any single women near the children unless he was engaged to marry her.

- So she gets the kids, and he gets to keep his putter!

- $750 mil… Talk about your Double Bogie! 

- Tiger just entered the “Sandtrap of Doom”. 

*****

British Jeweler Christopher Michael Shellis has created a pair of women’s shoes that might even break Elin Woods’ budget… The “Eternal Diamond Stilettos” are made almost entirely of gold inlaid with 2,200 diamonds. The price tag?  $155,000.

- They’re only available at DSW – Diamond Shoe Warehouse

- Elton John and Adam Lambert are worried sick that they’ll wear them to the same event! 

*****

A woman from Seattle has won this year’s Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest for the worst opening line of a make-believe novel.  Molly Ringle wrote, “For the first month of Ricardo and Felicity’s affair, they greeted one another at every stolen rendezvous with a kiss – a lengthy, ravenous kiss, Ricardo lapping and sucking at Felicity’s mouth as if she were a giant cage-mounted water bottle and he were the world’s thirstiest gerbil.”

- Sounds like one of Kwame’s texts to Christine…

- Actor Richard Gere said he thought the line was great.  Especially the part about the gerbil!

- That reminds me… I went for a boat ride last week and you’ll never believe it… “The sea was angry that day my friends.”

- The cover of the book features a bare-chested Fabio gazing longingly at a Habitrail-Home. 

*****

Police in Chalmette, Louisiana, tracked down a man who was seen taking a duck from the pond in a local park.  They found the man at home; the duck was in a bucket in his van.  The man explained that he had planned to eat the duck – at which time he was arrested for theft and the duck was returned to the pond.

- His prison jumpsuit color is described as “Duck a la Orange”.

- The name of the arresting officer:  Paul Blart:  Mall-ard Cop.

 In other Duck News…

Donald Norman Duck was arrested for a DUI in Ohio. 

- But you’ve got to give him credit, unlike another Donald Duck, this Duck was wearing pants. 

*****

After 60 years, Wonder Woman is getting a make-over.  In order to make her less sexy they’ve dumped her skimpy Stars and Stripes outfit and put her in a dark jacket and black leggings. 

- To make her less sexy, they could have kept the outfit and just re-drawn her face to look like Helen Thomas. 

- They had to put her in leggings because at age 60, instead of Wonder Woman she’s more like “Vericose Vein Woman”. 

- Big Al’s favorite was Betty Boop.  But he kind of soured on her when he heard rumors that she’d had a Boop Job! 

 

Welcome to July!  See you tomorrow!

-Dick

 

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"If It's In The News... It's News To Us"

Former comedian-turned-Minnesota Senator Al Franken was on hand for the Confirmation Hearings for Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan… sort of.  Franken was seen on TV doodling and then, he just flat out fell asleep.

- He may be good enough and smart enough but gosh darn it… he’s tired!

- It’s not surprising he needed a nap… after all he is the “Junior” Senator.

This Should Have Woken Him Up…

Kagan was a bit of comedienne herself.  When asked by a Senator where she was on Christmas Day when the Nigerian underwear bomber tried to blow up a plane over Detroit she replied, “Like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant”.

- She followed up by saying she would be a thoughtful and fair judge, looking at opinions from both column A and column B.

- Justice may be blind… but apparently she loves the smell of pot-stickers!

*****

The King is Leaving the Building!

TV Icon Larry King announced that after 25 years – he’ll leave CNN’s “Larry King Live” this fall.  Larry said, “I want more time with other things.  It’s time to go”. 

- And at his age, he’s up “trying to go” about 10 times a night.

- If by “other things” he means appearing on “Dancing With the Stars”, I’ll kill myself.

- Rumor has it that “60 Minutes” has offered him a job… to bring in a younger audience.

- He’s leaving some pretty big suspenders to fill…

- So many women, so little time… left. 

Now with a quick commentary about Larry King’s impending retirement we turn to our TV & Radio Broadcasting Editor -Big Al Muskavito.  Al.

 

Thanks, Dick.  From dickpurtan.com…HellooooooAnd goodbye Larry.  Yes, after 25 years on CNN Larry King has announced that this fall he’ll be hanging up his suspenders.  While Larry has become an icon, some of his recent performances make you wonder whether those suspenders were cutting off the blood supply to his brain.  There’s one infamous incident that Dick talked about on the air.  It was the time Larry was interviewing tennis player Andre Agassi.  When Larry came back from a commercial break he welcomed back “PANCHO GONZALEZ”, a tennis star from the 1950’s!  IT’S TRUE!  Hey, we all make mistakes, but very few of us are off by several decades. 

So the big question is – who will replace Larry King?  Larry has said publicly that he thinks - are you ready - that RYAN SEACREST should take his place!  Ryan Seacrest?  Let me get this straight, the same man who has asked riveting questions of American Idol contestants Sanjaya and William Hung will now be grilling world leaders and newsmakers?  Yes, if there’s one man that can press Mahmoud Ahmadinejad into an honest answer about his nation’s nuclear capability its RYAN SEACREST - hellooooo!

I’ve got a better idea for a replacement for Larry King.  How about a charming broadcasting icon who lives right here in Detroit.  A man who has made us laugh and cry for years.  A man with incomparable interviewing skills and impeccable timing.  And a man, who despite his incredible communication talents, currently has no media outlet for that voice.  Come on, you know who I’m talking about!  But since I’m not available, I say we go with Dick Purtan!

Screw retirement Dick, a nation needs you!

I’m Big Al Muskavito and that’s my point of view.  Now if you’ll excuse me, its time for my medication.    

Thanks, Al…Now back to the news of the day…

Forbes Magazine has announced its annual list of the 100 Most Powerful Celebrities, and as usual, Oprah Winfrey took the number one spot.  She was followed in order by Beyonce, James Cameron, Lady Gaga and Tiger Woods. 

- If you remember the picture of Tiger’s smashed-out car window… I’d say his wife, Elin, is the more powerful celebrity.

- It’s kind of fitting that both Tiger Woods and Lady Gaga both made the list since we all know that Tiger goes Ga-Ga over the Ladies!

- Rumor has it that “Titanic” director  James Cameron is going to make a new movie about Oprah’s struggles with her weight.  He’s calling it “Gigantic”.

****

The long anticipated “Flying Car” is finally becoming a reality.  A company called Terrafugia has been given the go ahead from the FAA to produce their new “Transition” two-seater plane that converts into a street-legal car.  It can fly 115 mph as a plane, then, after landing, you just fold up the wings and drive home.  The best news?  You only need 20 hours flying time to get a license.

- And when you land at the airport, your luggage is already in your car!

- Wait a sec… I thought we already had a flying car:  the Toyota Prius. 

 

Have a great last-day-of-June!  See you in July! (aka tomorrow)  Oh, I almost forgot, it’s my fifth favorite daughter’s birthday!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKIE!  Many more happy and healthy ones!  I hope you enjoy your gift even though I have no idea what it is because your Mom picked it out.

And now as we say in the United States…Adios!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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"If It's In The News... It's News To Us"

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has ruled for the first time that the Second Amendment isn’t about militias, but grants all Americans a fundamental right to keep and bear arms.  The government will still be able to enforce laws keeping guns out of school zones and preventing convicted felons from buying them… but gun owners will find it easier to challenge laws they think are too restrictive.

- If memory serves me, didn’t Justice Clarence Thomas once tell Anita Hill that he was packing heat under his robe?

- The vote was 5 to 4.  But it’s not like anyone was holding a gun to their heads.

- I guess the NRA really had them over a barrel… of a handgun.

- One of the judges who dissented from the majority opinion said he was “really pistoled-off”.

- The White House must be happy…  First Lady Michelle Obama’s choice in clothing clearing shows she supports “The right to bear arms”.

***** 

Just a week after President Obama bought Russian President Dimity Medvedev a burger and called him a “solid and reliable guy”, the FBI announced that it busted the biggest Russian Spy Ring in decades.  Eleven suspects have been arrested.  They were allegedly sent here years ago to live as normal Americans with names like “Cynthia Murphy”.  The idea was to infiltrate and influence U.S. government policy.

- And to think I just friended Cynthia Murphy on Facebook!

- TWO WORDS:  The Salahis.

- The FBI cracked the case when one of the guys ordered a Big Mac at McDonalds… and asked for a side of Russian dressing. 

- Luckily, Global Warming will keep this from re-starting the Cold War!

*****

FLY ME TO THE MOON… BUT DON’T TOUCH ME WHEN WE GET THERE…

Commanders on the International Space Station, which houses a mixed crew of men and women from different countries, do not allow sexual relations in space.  NASA commander Alan Poindexter says the astronauts are “professionals” and that “personal relationships” are not an issue.  Reportedly John Glenn told his fellow space collegues to “keep it zipped”.

- It’s too bad John Glenn never gave career advice to Kwame Kilpatrick.

- There is one exception:  If you land on the moon, you are allowed to get your rocks off. 

- Apparently Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, but they aren’t hooking up in the back of Saturn.

- If this is true… how come we ended up with “Star Trek:  THE NEXT GENERATION?”

*****

Police in St. Paul, Minnesota, arrested a 15 year old girl who was caught allegedly shoplifting 44 pair of panties from a local Kmart.  She reportedly told the officers that she needed clean underwear and demanded to know if they “expect me to wear dirty underwear?”

- Police ruled out Britney Spears as a suspect before they even arrived at the scene.

- This reminds me of something my mom told me:  “Always wear clean underwear in case you’re ever caught shoplifting.”

- 44 pair of underwear, eh?  What was she going to do on day 45?  Shoplift a washing machine?

- Why not just do what college guys do and go commando?

*****

The Wall Street Journal asked human resource professionals to put together a list of the dumbest mistakes they’ve seen job hunters make.  They included submitting a resume full of typos and asking the interviewer to have someone on staff fix it… and pulling out a sandwich and eating it during the interview.

- Unless it’s a Salmon Sandwich… which would impress them that you’re including healthy Omega 3 fish oil in your diet.

- Another dumb mistake:  Listing your former position as “Head of Quality Control for BP”.

- Here’s some more advice… Never brag that you used to be a disc jockey!

*****

On this date in 1969, Jimi Hendrix played his last concert at Denver’s Mile Stadium.

- It was a beautiful night, except for a “Purple Haze”. 

Also… on this day in 1613, England’s Globe Theater burned down during a performance of Shakespeare’s “Henry VIII”.

- It was one of the few times in history it was ruled “okay” to yell “fire” in a crowded theater!

 

Have a great day… Back tomorrow!

-Dick

 

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"If It's In The News... It's News To Us"

Good Monday to you!  For those of you who follow me on Facebook… you’ll remember that, after a slew of comments and questions regarding Erik Smith’s departure from Channel 7, I mentioned that I would tell you what I know about the situation on the website today.  So here we go…

I understand that Erik’s contract was up in May and that he was undecided as to whether he wanted to continue or retire.  Apparently three days before his contract was up, he finished his show and left the station, not to return.  Why?  I honestly don’t know.  I do understand that both Erik and the station are unhappy… so basically, your guess is as good as mine.  Susan Whitall, the Detroit News TV writer says that the non-compete clause in Erik’s contract will be up at the end of this year, so if that’s true, it’s possible that he may pop up on another station.  I miss Erik, too.  After all we’ve been friends for 45 years and even started out in Detroit together. He’s not only a great talent, he’s a great guy and belongs on TV (unlike yours truly who has a face for radio).  But the decision is his.  I guess we’ll all just have to stay tuned…

And now, on with the news!

Vice President Joe Biden did it again… While visiting a frozen custard shop in Milwaukee over the weekend, he asked the manager how much he owed.  The man quipped, “Lower our taxes, and we’ll call it even”.  The Veep snapped at the man (whom he’d never met) “Why don’t you say something nice instead of being a smartass all the time?”

- Apparently he was confused and thought he was talking to former U.S. Afghan Commander General McChrystal.

- President Obama immediately apologized for Biden’s remarks and appointed two frozen custard Czars:  Ben & Jerry.

- This incident will be recorded in the history books as “Biden’s Last Custard Stand”. 

*****

Speaking of Politics… Following the big G-20 Summit in Toronto, the President said he can’t be sure how long Americans will be in Afghanistan, adding, “I don’t have a Crystal Ball”.

- Of course last week he had General McChrystal by the… , um, never mind!

*****

After six years of heated debate, the Internet naming agency ICANN voted Friday to allow the creation of “dot-xxx” suffix for domain names for porn sites.  But aficionados don’t have to worry about re-bookmarking their favorite erotic cyber sites.  Existing websites can keep their dot-com and dot-net addresses.  By the way… since the announcement, more than 100,000 pre-reservations have been made for the xxx sites.

- Big Al thought dot-xxx was reserved for on-line clothing stores that carried his size.

*****

Dr. SanthoshThomas, an Indian-American Doctor from Westlake, Ohio and his wife were stunned when they were told their daughter Alyssa is on the Department of Homeland Security’s No-Fly List.  By the way… Alyssa is six years old!  Despite being just out of Kindergarten, she was barred from boarding the plane and despite complaints, the Homeland Security Dept. says they’re not changing their decision.

- If she’s that bad at 6… she must have been something else during the “terrible twos”! 

- What concerned security the most was Alyssa’s suspicious looking Dora the Explorer gym shoes with the Velcro ties. 

- It was all a big mistake… she was supposed to be on the “Tends-To-Kick-The-Back-Of-The-Seat-Of-The-Guy-In-Front-Of-‘Em-No-Fly-List”.

- If they add any more charges for booking, snacks, luggage or carry-ons, I’m going to put myself on the No-Fly List!

*****

HOT (NEWS) FLASH!

Iranian scientists say they have developed a simple blood test that can determine when a woman will begin menopause, accurate to within a four-month period.

- So to speak…

- The four-month warning will give men plenty of time to take cover.

*****

Police in Fort Worth, Texas are trying to figure out how to deal with a man who’s got a beer vending machine on his front porch.  It’s illegal to sell beer without a license, but the owner claims that it’s just a personal refrigerator filled with beer and he can’t help it if unauthorized people come into his yard, pop in a buck fifty and take a beer. 

- If Joe Biden stops by, he’ll give him a beer for free… IF he’ll agree to lower his taxes.  What a smartass!

*****

And finally, on this day in 1914, a Serb nationalist assassinated Austria’s Archduke Ferdinand and his wife, triggering World War I.

- Big Al asked us not to say how the War ended because he’s just finishing a book about it.

 

Have a great day… See you tomorrow!

- Dick 

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"The Week that Was…"

What a week!

-General Stanley McChrystal – the U.S. commander in Afghanistan was fired … uh… resigned after criticizing the President and Vice President. I hear he’s got a much more dangerous job now – he’s going to be an alcohol monitor for Lindsay Lohan. 

- Joran Van der Scum recanted his confession in the murder of a girl in Peru… saying he was forced into signing the confession by authorities.  Something tells me he’s going to be forced into a lot of things in the years to come…

- Thousands of baffled women suddenly had the urge to have a cigarette on Wednesday afternoon – until they realized what they’d just experienced was actually an earthquake centered in Ottawa Canada and not, well, you know…

- The very same day, Kwame Kilpatrick experienced what you might call a series of “aftershocks”.  Nineteen of them to be exact.  Federal indictments on tax evasion and bribery that could land him in jail for decades – after he finishes his current stint for probation violation. By the time he gets out of jail, he’ll probably be too old to text at night…

- Today, of course, marks the one year anniversary of the deaths of both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.  Hard to believe! 

As for my personal life… I have a confession to make.

After a Full-Family-Father’s-Day-Festival at our house last Sunday… I finally admitted something to myself that I’ve known for a long time:  I’m not the greatest griller in the world.  I know, I know… you always see pictures of men, spatula in hand, wearing  aprons with slogans like “Grill Sergeant” or “The Original Burger KING!” as a mouth-watering array of meat (or in my case Salmon) sizzles on the grill behind them.  For years, I was that guy. (sans the apron).  Well here’s the problem.  What I consider “well done” my family calls “burnt beyond recognition”.  Apparently they believe the term “blackened” should only apply to Cajun style fish - not hot dogs.  Whatever!  The point is… after years of complaints like “I never realized chicken could be this dry”… I made the executive decision to hand over the BBQ tongs to my sons-in-law.  It wasn’t easy – but I think it was the right thing to do.  Like the time in 2002 when I had the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch… it was time to hand it off to the next guy.  

This afternoon I’d planned to take three of my grandki… grandki… um… my daughters’ children, swimming, but they turned me down.  They said they’d be too embarrassed to see me in my Speedo!!  (Just kidding!)    

Have a great weekend and I’ll see you right back here Monday!

-Dick

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"If It's In The News... It's News To Us"

It was tough to sleep last night… FOR KWAME.  A 19 count Federal Indictment was handed down yesterday charging the former Mayor with spending money from his non-profit civic fund on personal expenses including cars, camps for his kids, yoga and golf lessons. Each charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.

- On the bright side… while in the slammer, he’s got plenty of time to plan out his defense strategy for the new charges.  

- Using non-profit money for golf lessons?  Even Bernie Madoff said, “That is sooooo unethical!”

- Yoga involves contorting your body in a lot of tough positions, right?  How much do you want to bet he bought those lessons for Christine Beatty? 

While we’re talking about former Politicians…

The National Enquirer is claiming that one of the reasons Al and Tipper Gore have split is that back in 2006, Al was accused of “unwanted sexual advances” by a masseuse in Oregon.  She says, among other things, he answered the door in a robe and hugged her for an “uncomfortably long time”.  Police say they saw the $540 massage bill and the woman kept a pair of his pants as evidence.  Still, the woman refused to press charges. 

- The Hotel did, however press his pants.

- Usually all Al has to do to turn women on is tell ‘em he invented the internet.  

- Maybe the woman was upset because Al didn’t “Tipper”.

- Our Big Al once paid $540 for a massage, but that’s because the masseuse charged him a dollar per pound.

*****

A sex survey of Britons by the Kawi garlic company found that 31% have cut a love-making session short because they were too tired to go on.  They also found that one in twenty Brits worry about having a heart attack during “enthusiastic sex”.

- So they believe screaming through a three-hour World Cup Soccer match is okay, but a minute and a half in the sack might kill ‘em…  

- This study was conducted by A GARLIC COMPANY.  Any chance that was why the romance was cut short? 

- At her age, Queen Elizabeth defines “enthusiastic sex” as going to the Tower of London and checking out the family jewels.

*****

(No Disrespect to the dead… but as they say, “Tragedy plus time equals Comedy”…)

Hard to believe, but tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson.  Forest Lawn Cemetery, MJ’s final resting place, announced that fans will be allowed to leave flowers – but that statues, posters, incense, web broadcasting equipment, balloons, candles, doves, pinwheels and radios are strictly prohibited.

- Radios?  Who listens to those anymore?  (Just kidding!!!!!)

- When Bubbles heard he couldn’t bring balloons he went ape.

- They’ve already got a cardboard cut-out of Michael posted outside the gates that says, “You must be shorter than my arm to enter the cemetery”.

- Instead of filing past the grave forward, in the traditional manner, fans will be asked to moonwalk.

*****

A blogger for Marie Claire magazine asked readers to comment on a suggestion by a bridal website for how to deal with elaborate and restricting wedding gowns.  One bride wrote that since her gown took twenty minutes to get in and out of, a shop manager suggested she wear adult diapers underneath so she didn’t have to worry about lengthy potty breaks.  Turns out some bridal shops do carry a bridal version of Depends…

- They come with toilet paper hanging out the back which looks just like a “train”!

- I thought most couples getting married these days didn’t have to deal with diapers until the bride gave birth to their first child a few months after the wedding.   

- So now brides can have padded panties to match their padded bras!

- Imagine how surprised the grooms gonna be when he lifts her dress to remove the garter…

- I heard that it’s not just for brides… Larry King has worn depends through the last three of his eight marriages.  

As Larry would say, “Helllooo!” … I mean goodbye!  See ya tomorrow!

-Dick 

 

 

 

 

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"If It's In The News... It's News To Us"

No… that tremor in the ground you may have felt this afternoon was NOT the result of Big Al jump roping on his driveway.  It was an earthquake centered around Ottawa, Canada and measuring 5.5 on the Richter Scale.  To be honest after waiting for an hour and a half to get my Driver’s License renewed at the Secretary of States office, I thought the tremor was caused by one of the State Employees falling off their stool!  


*****

D-Day for McChrystal…

In what reminds me of being called to the principal’s office for mouthing off about your teacher, US Afghan war commander General Stanley McChrystal arrived at the White House this morning and tendered his resignation to the President - which was accepted.  McChrystal was summoned after quotes by he and his staff in a Rolling Stone article angered the President.  

- To show you just how mad the President actually was, he “unfriended” McChrystal on his Facebook page!

*****

Champaign on ICE!

Congratulations to two former Red Wings, Dino Ciccarelli and Front Office Exec Jimmy Devellano for being inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame!  By the way… next season five of the six original NHL teams will play the Wings (the 6th original team) down at the Joe!  That hasn’t happened since the Lions won a Champio… Well, it hasn’t actually been quite that long!  The only drawback for next season?  Tampa Bay won’t be playing here in Detroit – So no chance to see Stevie Y’s team.  To paraphrase Nancy Kerrigan,   “Y not here?  Y not now?”

*****       

The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades…

A new survey by the Pew Research Center came up with some pretty interesting results as to what Americans expect will happen by 2050.  Among the findings 71% believe Cancer will be cured and 81% percent believe computers will be able to converse like humans. 

- Unlike today, when most teenage humans can only converse USING a computer.

On the negative side, 58% of those polled expect a World War in the next 40 years and 31% believe the earth will be hit by an asteroid. 

- 100% believe that General McChrystal got his asteroid kicked by the President in the Rose Garden this afternoon.

*****

Jerry Seinfeld has lashed out against Pop Diva Lady Gaga. She was moved to his private suite at the New York Mets Stadium after flipping off photographers and the crowd.  Jerry - who was not at the game - said “She’s a jerk.  You flip people off and you get upgraded?”

- Not that there’s anything wrong with that! 

*****

A 17-year-old girl in Washington State is facing jail for allegedly attacking her brother with a BBQ tool while making macaroni and cheese.  Apparently he asked if she was using margarine or real butter – which naturally led to a physical altercation.

- 1st question:  Who uses a BBQ tool to make Macaroni and Cheese?

- And to think all he said was, “I can’t believe it’s not butter!”

*****

The food police at the Center for Science in the Public Interest are threatening to sue McDonald’s if they don’t stop offering toys in their Happy Meals within 30 days.  They say the toys lure kids into “an unpaid drone army” nagging their parents into taking them out for unhealthy fast food.

- And they’re just figuring this out now?

- They better not sue until I complete my collection of “Shrek” character watches! 

***** SPEAKING OF FOOD *****

Oprah’s medical expert, Dr. Oz, told the Boston Herald that the #1 health problem in America isn’t obesity; it’s a lack of sex.  He says people will talk about fat, but are too embarrassed to talk about what he calls a “sexual famine”.  He added that while most Americans have sex once a week, upping that to twice a week could add three years to a person’s life.

- If sex increases your lifespan… Charlie Sheen’s gonna live forever!

- McDonald’s is thinking of combining the two issues by introducing the “Really Happy Meal” for adults with a special toy in every box!

- President Obama has weighed in on the subject by appointing a new “Sex Czar”:  Bill Clinton.

*****

New York City’s “Naked Cowboy” has sent a cease-and-desist letter to a former stripper who is appearing around town as “The Naked Cowgirl”.  Robert Bruck plays guitar in Times Square wearing only a hat, boots and bikini briefs.  He claims he’s trademarked the “Naked Cowboy” nickname and if she’s going to charge tourists for photos, she’ll have to pay him a yearly $5000 “Naked Cowboy Franchise Fee”.

- First of all, who’s gonna notice another semi-naked person running around New York City?

- I don’t know why he’s upset.  She appears “all over town” whereas the Naked Cowboy stays in the lucrative Times Square area.  As they say in the real estate and semi-naked performance art industries, it’s all about  “Location!  Location!  Location!”

- We contacted NY’s “Naked Mime” about this story, but he refused to talk.  

*****

And finally, on this date in 1776, the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was submitted to Congress. 

- It would have been ready a day sooner, but the “Spell Check” button on Jefferson’s Quill was broken.

- The Declaration was then taken over to “Ye Olde Kinko’s” to be copied and collated.

- It included a provision that required all Americans to have health care – which at the time meant having a “Primary Leech Provider”. 

*****

Have a great day!  (Or at least a better one than General McCrystal had!)  Back tomorrow…

- Dick

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"If It's In The News... It's News To Us"

There were plenty of ooohs and ahhhs – even some screaming – last night as the skies over Detroit lit up.  No… I’m not talking about the fireworks.  I’m talking about the storm!  The thunder was so loud and the lightning so intense that, as a good husband, I inched closer to Gail so I wouldn’t be scared she wouldn’t be scared.  Which reminds me of something that happened to Jackie when she was a kid… Take it away, Jack.

Thanks Dad.  I was all of 8 years old one stormy summer night when I heard the unmistakable sound of little feet coming down the hall toward my room.  I didn’t need my David Cassidy nightlight to recognize my three-year-old sister, Jessica standing in the doorway – blankie in hand and thumb in mouth.  “I know it’s loud, but it’s okay, sweetie!” I whispered and pulled her up to snuggle with me. Then she looked up at me with her big brown eyes and said, “Jackie, you’re so lucky!”  “Why?”  I asked.  She replied, “Cuz when you get scared, you’re already in your bed!”  You gotta love being a big sister!  And now back to the man who will undoubtedly be returning everything I gave him for Father’s Day… my Dad.

Thanks Jackie.  And by the way… I’m not returning everything.  I thought the card was great.  Besides, you already wrote on it.  Now back to last night…

As for the annual Fireworks… they were spectacular.  And kudos to Carman Harlan and Devon Scillian for coming up with so many adjectives… “Stunning” “Amazing” “Oh, look at that one!”  They sounded just like Big Al when he watches Cinemax…

- One question though?  Carmen’s hat… Look’s like she got it from the Aretha Franklin Collection. 

Speaking of singers…

The judges on American Idol have long complained that teenage contestants can’t convey the mature emotions of certain songs.  Producers of the show have responded by lowering the minimum age of contestants from 16 to 15.  

- “Sinatra Night” has always been my favorite.  Now we can look forward to hearing a 15 year old sing, “I did it My Way!”

- Or how about, “When I was 5… it was a very good year…”

- Roman Polanski and Woody Allen have already asked to be celebrity judges. 

On that “note”…

Sullivan Island, South Carolina already has a ban on making noises on the street including crying, shouting and playing musical instruments if people nearby find them annoying.  Now the town council wants to expand the “annoying sounds list”, making it illegal to shout, yell, whistle or sing in an annoying manner.

- We have a similar hear rule hear in Detroit.  Fortunately it doesn’t prohibit “Booing” so you can still go to Lion’s games.

- PERSONAL OBSERVATION: Second-year safety Louis Delmas has predicted that Lions will win at least 8 games this season.  Is it just me or does one player on the team make the same statement every year?  And is it just me… or are they always WRONG?!

*****

You know those long, loud horns that have become such a distraction during the World Cup?  Well they’ve become a literal pain in the butt for one man… A doctor at the Daktari Medical Center in Johannesburg said a South African man came in with one of the horns (“a vuvuzela”) stuck up his… well you know.  Apparently the man had had an ugly run-in with some Uruguayans celebrating their victory.

- I think we just found the answer to plugging the oil leak in the gulf!

- In a related story, some people in Louisiana say they have similar plans if they ever run into BP CEO Tony Hayward.

*****

The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan has been called back to the White House for a meeting with President Obama after criticizing the President and his administration’s handling of the war during an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine.  General Stanley McChrystal has already issued a statement apologizing for exercising “poor judgment”.  

- If only he’d looked in his “McChrystal Ball” he’d have realized he was gonna get in trouble!

- Sounds just like when Harry Truman called Douglas MacArthur to the Oval Office and told him, “You Shall Not Return”. 

***** UPDATE ON “The Ponz” *****

According to his cellmate, disgraced Financier Bernie Madoff “made off” with 9 billion dollars by secretly funneling it to friends before he confessed to cops in 2008. 

- And let me tell you that money is going to come in pretty handy when he strolls out of prison 149 years from now! 

***** 

In one of the least surprising findings of all time, a Yale study proved that kids want foods that have Shrek or Scooby-Doo on the package.  In the study, up to 85 percent of kids preferred snacks that came from a box featuring a cartoon character and just over half believed that a snack from a container with a picture of Shrek or Scooby actually tasted better.

- You mean it doesn’t?

- That must be the reason I wouldn’t eat spinach as a kid… My mom bought the off-brand that didn’t have Popeye on the label!

- To be honest, if “Sally the Salmon” wasn’t on the package, I may never have tried my favorite breakfast cereal, “Salmon Flakes”.  They’re GRRRRR-eat!

***** 

And finally… One hundred years ago today, count Zeppelin started the first airship passenger service.  He offered zeppelin trips from Friedrichshafen to Dusseldorf – a distance of 300 miles. 

- And one hundred years ago tomorrow, a man named Hans and a flight attendant named Helga became the first members of the “Mile High Zeppelin Club”. 

Have a great day! See you right back here tomorrow…

-Dick

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JOIN BIG AL FOR A NIGHT OF BIG LAUGHS!

Hi, Big Al here!  Well, it’s been almost 3 months since I’ve been off the air and I’m absolutely DESPERATE FOR ATTENTION AGAIN!  That being said, won’t you please join me on Tuesday, June 29th at 8:00 p.m. at Joey’s Comedy Club in Livonia.  I’m honored to be the Master of Ceremonies as Detroit’s Comedy All-Stars Brett Kline, Nate Fridson, Ben Konstantin and Jeff Dwoskin come together for a stellar night of comedy!  Jeff Dwoskin, by the way, was the winner of Dick’s Comedy Night Out “Laugh Off” contest a couple years back at the Royal Oak Music Theater!  Yes, he was funnier than me, but I’m over it.

TICKETS ARE ONLY $15 with proceeds benefiting the IMERMAN ANGELS. 

WHAT AN AMAZING ORGANIZATION….Imerman Angels carefully matches and individually pairs a person touched by cancer (a cancer fighter or survivor) with someone who has fought and survived the same type of cancer (a Mentor Angel). Cancer caregivers (spouses, parents, children and other family and friends of fighters) also receive 1-on-1 connections with other caregivers and survivors. These 1-on-1 relationships inspire hope and offer the chance to ask personal questions and receive support from someone who is uniquely familiar with the experience. The service is absolutely free and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer stage level, at any age, living anywhere in the world. 

COME HUNGRY TOO!…25% off your meal @ Kicker’s before the show with reservations and 1/2 off pizza during the show.  (Just chew with your mouths closed so we don’t interrupt the comedians)

HOW TO GET YOUR TICKETS…Email jeff@jeffisfunny.com with the amount of tickets you would like to reserve. You will receive an email back with an address to send your check and you’ll be mailed tickets for the event!  Must be 21 or older to attend.

More info at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123818370975490&ref=ts

It’s a great night of laughter for a great organization.  I hope to see you there!…

Thanks!  Your BFF…Big Al  

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"If It's In The News... It's News To Us"

It’s officially Summer and Mayor Dave Bing has declared it Ernie Harwell Day!

- It’s the best idea to come out of the City of Detroit since Monica Conyers was sentenced to jail.

*****

Look Ma!  No Hands!

Otis Mathis, the President of the Detroit School Board resigned after the boards superintendent claims he “entertained himself” for 20 minutes during a one-on-one meeting with her.  Mathis admitted it but now says getting his job back would actually help him work through his “problem”.

- The other members took a vote… which began with a show of hands.

NOTE:  Last year Mathis admitted that although he is President of the school board, he is basically illiterate.  His memos were full of misspellings and grammatical errors.  So the President of the Detroit School Board is illiterate… WOW! 

- Now we know why; he was typing with one hand! 

***** 

BP CEO Tony Hayward is taking a lot of heat for taking the weekend off from trying to cap the Gulf oil leak to watch his multi-million dollar yacht race off England’s Isle of Wight. 

- If they had as much oil in the water over there as we’ve got in the gulf, he could go from England to France in about 2 and a half seconds. 

Speaking of the oil leak…

BP has already received 64 thousand compensation claims from people who have lost wages due to the disaster.  Most are in the fishing industry, but now the Mimosa Dancing Girls Strip Club in New Orleans wants- in on the action.  The owners claim that fishermen are their biggest clients and with no income, they’ve stopped coming to the club, thus impacting the dancers revenue. 

- Club owners say they’ve had to lower the price for a shot and a leer…uh, beer. 

- The star of the show, a Miss Fifi VaVaVoom, daughter of the club owners Eddie and Vicki VaVaVoom, plans on using the money to buy new fishnets. 

*****

Arizona abruptly canceled plans to build some rope bridges for a colony of 250 endangered red squirrels so they could cross the road safely.  But the plan was nixed when ABC News reported that the project would cost 1.25 million dollars and save approximately 5 squirrels a year. 

- Here’s a way to save a quick 1.25 million dollars:  How about just slowing down and let the squirrels cross the street?

- There’s always “Rocky the Flying Squirrel” from the Bullwinkle Show.  Why not just hire him to teach the other squirrels how to fly? 

- Arizona has just passed an amendment to their immigration law so now suspicious looking squirrels can be pulled over and asked if they’re in this country legally.

*****

“Toy Story 3” is a massive hit with audiences and critics… it raked in $109 million in the U.S. alone over the weekend – that’s 35 mil more than the other top ten movies made combined.  The biggest flop was the comic book inspired “Jonah Hex” which took in just five million dollars. 

- Hey, at least it didn’t go direct to video like one of the movies I was in, “Collision Course”.   

*****

Gospel Singer Roger Menees of Illinois set a new Guinness world record for the lowest note ever hit by a human voice.  Menees voice registered 0.393 hertz, a very low F-Sharp.

- The record for the highest note ever is currently held by John Wayne Bobbitt.

*****

On this date in 1948, Dr. Peter Goldmark of CBS Laboratories demonstrated the first successful long-playing record.  Before that, records could only hold one song on each side.

- Another benefit of the “Long Playing Record”?  Us radio guys could finally take bathroom breaks! 

*****

Have a great day and don’t forget the fireworks on the Detroit River tonight!  I will continue my tradition of standing in front of the TV watching Channel 4’s Devon Scillian and Carmen Harlan - with a sparkler in my hand!

P.S. Hope you all had a great Father’s Day!  And for those of you still waiting for the DNA tests to come back… I hope you get the results you’re hoping for! 

 

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"The Week that Was…"

Another Friday… another busy week…

First of all, for all of you who were kind enough to donate $240 to my Radiothon for the Salvation Army’s Bed and Bread Club… I have good news.  “The Plate’s in the mail!”   I know you’ve been waiting a long time and I apologize… We were told by the company firing the commemorative plates that they would be ready in April.  But as is so often the case, there was a “production delay” (whatever that means).  The point is, they’re on the way even as we speak.  I thank you for your patience and your generosity!

Now a look back at the week…

- Judge David Groner kicked Kwame’s request to attend a 90-day boot camp to the curb.  That means no early parole… Speaking of that, does anybody know the visiting schedule at the prison up north?  I’m thinking of heading to the Traverse City Cherry Festival in July…

- After much thought, “The Wizard of Iz”, Tom Izzo decided he’s staying at MSU… despite a big bucks offer to move to the NBA and coach the Cleveland Cavs.  Kudos to the coach for picking the “Green and White” instead of just the “Green”…

- Sadly, oil continues gushing into the Gulf of Mexico.  Watching BP CEO Tony Hayward being grilled by Congress made me think he should have his “BP” checked or he’s going to have a stroke. 

- Perhaps the most shocking news this week came just this morning:  Franco-American announced that “Spaghetti-O’s with Meatballs” are being recalled. Apparently there is a concern that the meatballs weren’t cooked at a high enough temperature.  There go my Friday night dinner plans…

- Speaking of meatballs… US Magazine is reporting that Kate Gosselin has a set of twins we didn’t know about! Apparently her bodyguard convinced her to get breast implants last spring.  No wonder she was so lead-footed on Dancing With The Stars… she was top-heavy!

On a personal note…

Gail and I took care of my daughter Jessica’s kids (The Amazing Preston, 8, and equally amazing Jack, 6) and Jackie’s son, 8 year old Charlie - who’s amazing, too (I had to say that) one night this week.  We had dinner at a Coney Island and I actually refrained from lecturing the boys on what the hot dogs and cheese fries can do to their arteries. 

If I may digress for just a second… Why is it that French Fries are so bad for you and at the same time are THE GREATEST TASTING FOOD IN THE WORLD? (With the possible exception of Cheetos!!!) 

Anyway, after dinner it was back to the house for a two-and-a-half hour crash course on the wonders of “Pokemon”.  For those not “in the know” like me, Pokemon are animated Japanese creatures that star in a never-ending series of TV shows, movies and video games.  Being the good guy that I am, I pretended to listen, smiled and threw in the occasional, “Wow!” as the boys thumbs flew over their hand-held players faster than Kwame texting Christine.  “Archeus from the Sinho Region just used the Hyper Beam against Charmander!” declared, Charlie.  “All right!”, I said.  “That’s great!”  And in that instant, I realized I was busted.  The looks on their faces said it all:  Archeus using the Hyper Beam against Charmander was not a good thing at all.  “Haven’t you been paying attention?” Jack said.  You’d have thought I just intentionally ran over their bikes with my car. Whatever happened to throwing a ball around the backyard?

Kids, of course brings us to the fact that Sunday is “Father’s Day”, (or as Maury Povich and Jerry Springer call it, “Father’s DNA Day”).  

Happy Father’s Day to all you Dad’s out there!  Hope it’s a great weekend!

-Dick

 

 

 

 

 

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"If It's In The News... It's News To Us"

Have You Married a Ford Lately?

After dating for nearly a decade, Calista “Ally McBeal” Flockhart and Harrison “Indiana Jones” Ford finally tied the knot!  The ceremony was performed in New Mexico by Governor Bill Richardson. 

- So I guess this means Harrison’s no longer “Han SOLO”

- Calista’s “Brothers & Sisters” co-star Sally Field couldn’t attend the wedding because, go figure, it was the one-day of the month she had to be home in L.A. to take her Boniva. 

*****

Kind of makes that Free Turkey your boss gave you last Christmas seem pretty lame…

Oprah celebrated the 10th anniversary of her “O” magazine by giving everyone on the staff 10 thousand dollars and a brand new iPad with an engraved leather case. And here’s the thing… it doesn’t matter how long you’ve worked at the company – you still got the “thank you” gift.

- Keeping in the Mac theme, she gave her longtime boyfriend Steadman an Apple… no, just an apple. 

Speaking of People Rolling in Dough…

 Last year, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett hosted a private (and secretive) dinner for other billionaires including one of the Rockefellers and Oprah.  Fortune Magazine now reports the dinner was actually a fundraiser… Gates and Buffet want the billionaires to help the world by pledging to give away at least half of their fortunes to worthy causes now or upon their deaths. 

- How much you want to bet they all voted for the “upon my death” option?

- A billion dollars… let’s see that’s nine zeros.  Except for the Hilton family where it comes out to eleven zeros – if you count Paris and Nicky.

*****

Which brings us to the Charlie Sheen Car-Knapping Mystery…

Someone stole Charlie Sheen’s Mercedes in the middle of the night, rolled it over a 100 foot cliff, and left it running at the bottom of a ravine with its light on.  Curiously, the exact same thing happened five months ago to Charlie’s Bentley. 

- Police are looking for 5000 hookers who Charlie short-changed… on the tab!

- Investigators say they do have have leads so far on Two and a Half irate husbands.  (Two of the guys are really mad… the other guy’s just sort of ticked off.)

*****

The FDA announced yesterday that a pill touted as “the female Viagra” showed disappointing results in two studies.  The so-called “Little Pink Pill” is supposed to boost the sex drive in premenopausal women but women taking the pill showed no significant increase in desire.  On the up side, the women said they were a bit more satisfied when they did have sex.

- Of course the women who were the most satisfied were the ones given the placebo sugar pill. 

- When they found out the pill didn’t work, the researchers suggested the old fashioned approach: just give her a gift certificate to DSW and a Whitman’s Sampler.    

- I want someone to develop a pill that would help me understand why the people in the Cialis commercials have two antique bathtubs in their backyard.

*****

The NY Post reports that Greyhound Bus driver Duane Snipes was fired and charged with grand larceny for allegedly taking a $600,000 bus from an NYC bus terminal to Mount Vernon, New York.  Snipes originally said he took the bus to take his daughter to school… but finally admitted he stole it so he could go visit his girlfriend.

- Apparently his girlfriend said, “why don’t you just hop on a bus and come see me?”… so he did.

- If you think his boss was upset, you should’ve seen the bus passengers!    

*****

Police in Florida have arrested a man who allegedly became enraged because Burger King ran out of lemonade. When the manager at the drive-thru told him they were out, he got out of his pick up truck, grabbed her by the collar and started screaming at her.  He was later arrested for battery. 

- The manager said she won’t press charges… but did call the man “a real sourpuss”.

- I don’t know why he wanted lemonade to start with… sounds like he’d already had a ton of Orange Juice… with Vodka.

While we’re on the subject of Juice…

It was on this day in 1994 that millions of people watched O.J. Simpson lead Los Angeles police on a slow-speed car chase in his white Ford Bronco before being arrested for double-murder. 

- Of course we didn’t realize it at the time, but that ride gave network execs the idea for “Reality Shows”.  OJ should have been given the death penalty just for that.

*****

Steve Wilson, an employee for DoodyCalls Pet Waste Removal in St. Louis, is one honest guy.  While picking up some dog poop, he noticed some bills sticking out of it.  He pulled the money out, sanitized it, and returned it to the pet’s owner.  The total take:  $58. 

- Kind of gives new meaning to the expression, “Filthy Rich”.

- Now we know why bear’s do it in the woods… They don’t want anyone to find their “savings deposits”. 

- The company wanted to give him a bonus, but Mr. Wilson insisted he was just “doing his doody”. 

- Now when he makes calls, his customers always greet him with a friendly, “Howdy Doody!”

 

 

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