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Bravo to "Mad Men" for a terrific final episode. We watched some characters change, some remain the same. Some became hugely prominent, setting up next season. Overall, it was a superbly well-acted episode--downright loose at times, as if someone had ordered shots of tequila for the whole cast. It's been a great year for "Mad Men." How will we ever get by until the next? Can you believe she talked about her teeth? The large white elephants in the room?
If you've ever been to a Yankee game--or if you listen closely to them on radio or TV, you know the sound. It starts about midway through the game, and sounds like--well it sounds like someone is hitting a metal surface with a spoon. That's exactly what it is--what it WAS until a few days ago, when we learned that Freddy died. Freddy "Sez" Schuman was a fixture at the stadium for two decades or more--always carrying a hand-painted sign cheering on the team, and walking around with a well-worn spoon and a badly beaten frying pan. It was a rite of passage for those seated in the area he circulated in to grab the spoon for a few good whacks at the pan, clanking it loudly...sometimes to a smattering of applause for the effort. I'm happy to have had the honor once or twice. Freddy was 85, and had been in failing health when he died this weekend. I knew Freddy had value to Yankee fans, and I sensed it even more when my son rushed to find me at home last night to tell me he'd just heard the news on TV. I saw Freddy (heard him first, as usual) at the last home game I attended a few weeks back, not knowing it would be the last time. We will miss him at the stadium.
Finally, the violent weekend in football: The Sunday Night Football post-game highlights were hard to watch last night, showing collision after collision in the NFL and college ball. Something must be done. Those of us who played any kind of organized football were always taught how to AVOID injury and how to tackle, and it never involved helmet-to-helmet collisions. While having the most "paint" on your helmet was always a badge of honor, especially for defensive players and linemen (meaning, the helmet color of your opposing team) it has reached insane levels, and action is now required at every level of the sport. We can all name the "hit men" of the sport, but that's not why we play or love the sport. And we've learned again this past weekend it can have tragic consequences.
We hope you can join us tonight.
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Whatever will you do Mr. Williams without your weekly fix of Mad Men? All of us who follow your blog knew that if it’s Monday, it’s Mad Men Day on Brian’s blog, I hope there will be reruns to sustain you until the next season begins!
As far as the Putin’s meeting with that census taker, it’s nothing more than a “Photo Op”, clear and simple, trying to convince the folks that the leader of your country is just as down to earth as you are . . . . (yeah,. . ok)
That Sesame Street video reminds of a skit that Whoopi Goldberg did more than twenty years ago when she first came on the scene, only she wrapped a white shirt around her head, making believe it was her “long and luxurious hair”.
Brian, excellent coverage by you and Chuck Todd on the Midterm Election. Why are there so many
questions about Rand Paul" He is a man of questionable character, that's why. Rand Paul is
self-righteous and cannot hold his own with Jack Conway, who is the bettr man.
I was amused by the Putin story. Did you notice he was more interested in his black labadour
than his wife which must be grounds for divorce in Russia:o) Phyllis
Good Evening Mr.Williams, Another fine broadcast this evening as always. I am glad you enjoyed the final season episode of "Mad Men". I sure it was a terrific season and will be a great next season.
Sad to learn of the passing of Freddy Schuman who was a huge New York Yankee fan. I'm sure he will be missed by many people who has seen him at the stadium cheering the team.
Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Mr.Todd who showed how the political parties are really heating up their campaigns and as was stated it is getting "rough" out there. Each party rallying supporters in many high stakes races with many seats up for "grabs" in the upcoming election. Focusing on the issues is much better than having all the attack advertisements. Only time will tell when the votes are finally counted three weeks from now.
The report by Stephanie Gosk from Paris certainly showed much violent protests against the raising of the retirement age. All the clashes with police and cars set ablaze was disturbing and one hopes things calm down quickly.
The piece by Natalie Morales in speaking to some of the Chilean miners who had been trapped for 69 days showed how they will take some time to recover fully from their experience. Hearing about how they coped in the early desperate hours and days was heartbreaking. Especially, learning about the letters onw miner wrote to his family. Being rescued was like being reborn for so many of the miners in seeing their loved ones again. So very emotional. They are really courageous men and truly loyal to their work. May they all stay well.
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to You and to All!
Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori,Cary and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard!
Take Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!
XOXO
Lisa
Brian:These football mishaps were unusul, due to the fact that so many occurred over the weekend. These misfortunes reminded me of two rams butting heads in a ritual; however these are young athletes and something must be enacted by the National Football League to counteract these manuevers. Maybe an improved helmut could be created or more fines could be introduced. Football is a violent sport,so the solution will be hard to come by. I hope we don't see many more of these incidents on the field.
Hi Brian
Busy day as Peaches and I spent quality time at the movies to see Secretariat. Yes it brought back good memories.
Now to days news. Good news to hear the Palestine Government is asking the United Nations to help with the problems. It worked in 1946 for Israel so it might help again. Hillary is doing a great job and I pray this time it succeeds.
The candidates are pulling out all stops and the Corporations are pouring in the money. Seems like Murdoch is trying to make sure Republican Govenors get in office to help the Banks.
Bank of America is gambling yet again you can't blame them. With so much fraud and corruption done over the 8 years their now going to see if they can trick the Judges in the Courts. Many State Attorney Generals are allowing it but others have no problem. NJ Governor is thinking about letting BofA continue the fraud foreclosures. Don't worry California AG Jerry Brown isn't going to let it happen. Remember when companies illegally over charged knowing the fine would be much less then the profit.
Sorry to hear about Freddy but he will always be watching his Yankees.
Have a great evening all
On Sunday, the final Nightly News story was about football. That's hardly surprising. The Nightly News producers often use their Sunday broadcast to promote NBC's Sunday Night Football coverage, which airs immediately after the news. Sunday's football story was about the Washington Redskins--who just happened to be one of the teams that was playing on NBC that night. On Sept. 26, Nightly News did a story about the NFL's efforts to recruit younger fans. And on Sept. 19, Nightly News ended with a story about Eli and Peyton Manning (who play for the Giants and Colts, respectively), which was immediately followed by the Giants-Colts game on NBC. Of course, nothing can top the Sept. 8 & 9 broadcasts. Nightly News spent those two days shamelessly promoting NBC's Sept. 9 NFL season opener between the Vikings and the Saints. On Sept. 8, Nightly News aired a three-and-a-half minute "Making A Difference" story about a Vikings player. The story began with Brian Williams telling us, "He just happens to be a pro football player, and you'll see him on NBC tomorrow in the season opener as his Vikings take on the world champion Saints in New Orleans." The following day, Brian went even further. He devoted his entire broadcast to promoting the Saints-Vikings game by anchoring Nightly News from New Orleans, the site of the game. A three-minute story about the game featured 43 seconds of opening remarks from Brian, including, "Playing tonight in the Superdome, their first game as defending Super Bowl champions when they meet the Vikings tonight here on NBC...." At the end of the broadcast, Brian offered yet another plug for the game and spent time the next day bragging about the game's ratings. This is beyond shameless. Using Nightly News to promote NBC's football coverage is a violation of the viewers' trust and a grossly inappropriate use of the newscast. People tune in to Nightly News to find out about important news stories going on across the country and around the world, not to see endless promos for NBC's sports and entertainment shows. The FCC should penalize Nightly News 10 yards and a loss of possession.
Why don't the Nightly News producers just drop all the pretenses and devote their entire Sunday night broadcast to NBC's NFL coverage? It could be the first half hour of "Football Night in America". Here's a story suggestion for next week: Susan Boyle, Jackie Evancho, Chelsea Clinton, Anna Chapman, Nick Nelson, Nikki Yanofsky and a group of Medal of Honor Winners could play a football game against a team made up of Afghan orphans and rescued Chilean miners. The mascots would be oil-soaked Gulf pelicans. And it would all be for charity, so we know they'd be making a difference!
NBC Fan You have some good points and it's nice to be able to express them. As I was born in New Jersey and no brothers my Dad took me to all sporting events. I am a like long Giant fan and love Eli. I know it's hard to believe but my kids brought me two Eli jersey's one for home games/away games. My granddaughter puts on the extra shirt and we cheer for Eli and the team. It's hard to explain the love of football and basketball until you were born to love the sport. Now baseball is one I wait for the World Series, but nothing is like a good basketball game that goes down to one shot at the buzzer. I saw Dr. J fly and lived to see God does love basketball when AirJordan did the unbelievable. Larry Bird made me believe you can do anything when you put your mine to it.
But for those who aren't that interested in sports I respect that too. Nightly News has less then one half hour to tell as much as possible, that's why Brian has the blog for the rest of us to fill in what's going on. So would you add some news that could help us know what's going on in your area or information not reported. Thanks alot.
A senior Eli fan smile
mr willams why in the world would you hope for nfl pittsburg steelers player harrison gets supended would you want someone to hope you get a fine then supended will i hope you get what you hope for in my opion i think you should publicly apolige to mr harrison on air for saying thing like you should really watch what you say