The words "Tea Party" are finally recognized as bad for a candidate. They could have asked me that two years ago.

Meal of Links

The Golden Globes is in legal turmoil. Dick Clark Productions negotiated a broadcast rights contract without the involvement of the Hollywood Foreign Press. Of course, renewal rights and money are at stake.

This is fantastic. Martin Scorsese is doing a remake of "The Gambler" with Leonardo DiCaprio. I can't help but be there on Day One. "The Gambler" is that hidden gem from the '70s with James Caan that I can't tout enough.

More important events than 9/11. Now that's an interesting read.

The science of sleeping. Brought to you by Overstock.com. Huh?

Bourdain talks about Southern food.

"50 Documentaries To See Before You Die" ends tomorrow. It's a pretty good post-1988 list. Number One is "Hoop Dreams", which went from rarely seen to almost a carved-up weekly feature on ESPN Classic.

Exercise Yard

Might be the last year to root for the Vikings in Minnesota. They are as good as gone.

Visitor

52 Down: Suave Butler (5 letters) Answer: Rhett

On the Second Day of Christmas

Asleep At the Wheel can really grow on you. Keeping that Texas Swing alive. This song is kinda funny, the video kinda lame. But the story is Ray Benson has too much to drink and ends up in jail for Christmas. I'd say that's a modern seasonal original. "Everybody's havin' Christmas turkey. Bring me bread and water to eat."

"Xmas in Jail"/Asleep At The Wheel



Right on cue. Time Warner Cable comes through with a Christmas present for me. Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus in glorious HD.

Meal of Links

This is pretty cool. Especially if you saw "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford". A Yogi Bear parody! Keep the kiddies away.



Mr. Skin has a decent job. Therefore, he has his list of the Top Ten Nude Scenes of 2010.

Top Tweets of 2010. BTW, I am a huge fan of Miss Catherine Middleton.

"Jeopardy" tries to outdo Adam Richman. They'll have their own version of "Man vs. Beast".

No words for this. Except, "Americans is stupid".

Alan Sepinwall takes a look at the TV portion of the Golden Globe nominations. Mostly run-of-the-mill.

I think Joey Pants is interviewed. Barely any questions, but he talks for a while.

Exercise Yard

Barry Cofield's sack dance is killing me.



Visitor

18 Across: Actress in a classic shower scene (10 letters) Answer: Janet Leigh

Yes, it's the time-honored tradition of that Dick Clark Production...the 66th Annual Golden Globes! Football ran late, so I have no Red Carpet info. This awards ceremony brings out all the heavy hitters, be they presenters or nominees.

Why, first up, it's J-Lo to present a Best Supporting Actress Award. This goes to Kate Winslet for "The Reader". It's curious how she gets a supporting role out of this feature, but I guess the studio determined this is her easiest path to an award. OK, I have actually seen this one. That makes me feel good. But her speech is lo-o-o-o-ong.

What is going on with Sting? Anyone? This outfit reminds me of when you are a kid and demand to be allowed to wear a certain outfit, when the reality of it is that it's not very appropriate.



























Bruce Springsteen is given an award from Sting. It's for the song, "The Wrestler", which is actually in the movie, "The Wrestler". I haven't seen it yet. Bruce, for once, has no story to tell but does say, "This is the only time I'm going to be in a competition with Clint Eastwood. Feels pretty good, too."

Kate Beckinsale in the house!

Next winner is Laura Dern for her role as Katharine Harris in HBO's "Recount". I actually watched it and it was well done.

Tom Wilkinson wins for playing Ben Franklin in "John Adams". Even though HBO seemed to have this on a continuous 24-hour loop for a time, I didn't see it. If you wanna see Wilkinson in a great role, catch him in "Rock N Rolla".

Dexter and his sister/wife are there to not watch Gabriel Byrne pick up an award for "In Treatment". I've seen a couple of these.

Anna Paquin is all growed-up. She wins for "True Blood". Was that the one she was naked in? I didn't see it.

Seriously, is that Verizon post-Christmas ad gonna run through Easter? It's killing me.

Ricky Gervais introduces a scene from "Happy Go Lucky", while sipping a pint. "Winslet, I told you, do a Holocaust film and the awards come rolling."

Jonas Brothers present Best Toon to "Wall-E". What are their names? Dork, Dorky and Joe?

Johnny Depp onstage. I am not sure, but he seems to be doing an imitation of someone I can't quite place. Very strange. Anyhow, Sally Hawkins wins for "Happy Go Lucky". This poor woman seems completely overwhelmed that she won.

Sandra Bullock is there!



























Speaking of hitting the sauce, the next presenters are Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore. "John Adams" wins best Mini Series or TV Movie, but is not there to accept it.

Deh-Mee Moore presents a Best Supporting Actor award to another person who could not be there, Heath Ledger. He gets a Standing O, regardless. They show a clip from "The Dark Knight". I saw it. He deserves everything he gets for that one.

Tom Brokaw? WTF? "Frost/Nixon"! Now I get it.

Colin Farrell is on my TV. Huh? It's Best Foreign Language Film. "Waltz With Bashir", which gets here next month, wins.

Both Gyllenhaals have been onstage tonight. This is for Best Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries. It goes to Laura Linney, who keeps getting better looking each year. She was in "John Adams", which I still haven't seen.

I just saw Salma and her Hayeks for the first time this evening.




















Laundry break, as "Slumdog Millionaire" takes Best Screenplay.

Dempsey and Poehler present Best Actor in a TV Comedy and it goes to Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock". He is damn funny on that show. Nice shot of Jane Krakowski over there. Woof!

Renee Zellweger appears, wearing something bizarre. Is she playing Annette Bening in real life? What is going on here?



























Paul Giamatti, who absolutely kills me, wins for "John Adams". Have I mentioned I haven't seen this? But I do like Giamatti in most everything that he does.

Glenn Close and Laurence Fishburne give an award to "30 Rock". Tracy Morgan speaks for the group. "I'm the face of post-racial America. Deal with it, Cate Blanchett." Very funny.

Pierce Brosnan introduces a clip from "Mamma Mia". Thank God, he does not sing.

P. Diddy and Kate Beckinsale present Best Score. Seriously, Diddy gets no reaction from the crowd. Beckinsale gets a reaction from my man parts, though. Some Indian guy is onstage and I have confirmed that "Slumdog Millionaire" has won.



























David Duchovny and Jane Krakowski make a fine couple, I'd say. Or maybe she does. They present an acting award to Tina Fey. Her best line (via Will Arnett), "I love the Hollywood foreign press. As a kid, I had all the Hollywood foreign press action figures."

Steven Spielberg wins the Cecil B. Demille Award, presented by Martin Scorsese. Marty seems to have developed Tourette's. Steve gives a speech the way a speech should be given at these things. Very nice. Hey, they show a clip from "Duel". Speaking of clips, where did I see a clip of Warhol, Spielberg and Bianca Jagger having a chat? Why, here it is:



Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman present Best Director, It goes to Danny Boyle, looking as disheveled as ever, for "Slumdog Millionaire".

Sigourney Weaver is still getting it done.

Bullock presents Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy and it goes to Colin Farrell for "In Bruges". Didn't see that one. Even Farrell said, "They must have done the counting in Florida."

"Vicky Cristina Barcelona' clip is introduced by Salma and her Hayeks.

Sasha Baron Cohen is funny while presenting Best Picture, Musical or Comedy. He said in tough times people seek out "mindless, puerile, escapist nonsense... Which is a good thing because I've got a movie coming out." His recession jokes:

"Victoria Beckham has not eaten in three weeks."

"Charlie Sheen has been forced to have sex and not pay for it."

"Madonna has had to let go of one of her personal assistants. Our thoughts go out to you, Guy Ritchie."

He seemed to have lost the crowd with that last one. Many groans. "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" wins.

Mark Wahlberg and Cameron Diaz present Best Actress. This goes to Kate Winslet. That's a rarity, getting two of these awards. This one for "Revolutionary Road". A shoutout to Leo this time. But her speech is lo-o-o-o-ong. I have decided if I ever present at these awards, I wanna be on in the first hour, so I could drink.

Rainn Wilson and The Gossip Girl present Best TV Drama. ""Hello, we're TV actors." It goes to "Mad Men".

Susan Sarandon gives a Best Actor award to Mickey Rourke for "The Wrestler". Revisit "Body Heat". The guy is on screen for about 5 minutes or so and is unbelievable. Mickey has had some tough times as evidenced by him thanking his dogs. "I'd like to thank my dogs. Sometimes when a man's alone, that's all you've got, is your dogs."



























Who is this chick in the new Citi ads, who seems to be channeling Phoebe Cates?

Tom Cruise presents Best Motion Picture, Drama, and it goes to "Slumdog Millionaire". The producer says, "They're wrapping me up...Fuck!" But it got bleeped.

We conclude as Cruise says, "Good night, everybody!"

Your winners are here.

Meal of Links

Mouthwash is linked to cancer. I use that Alcohol-Free stuff from Crest.

Senator Voinovich hangs it up. Release the hounds! That should be an interesting race. As Jack Benny used to say, "Oh...Dennis!"

Wow. This kid can text.

Exercise Yard

Who would have thought three road teams would win in the NFL playoffs? I missed on all three games. The shocker was Arizona winning over Carolina. Did not see that coming. Tennesseee killed themselves with turnovers and the Giants just could not throw the ball today.

Lastly, the Steelers rolled in what I thought would be a tougher game for them.

Visitor

None, this was a post-snow Sunday.

It's the Golden Globes Winners Special...live from Hollywood! But with the current writers strike, I have no idea what this show will look like except for no red carpet, no stars, and no speeches. I skipped the "glib" Matt Lauer pre-awards show, because I'm watching gridiron action and highlights.

9:00: Uh-oh. This looks like it's only going to be announcements of the nominees and then the winners. Two messages at the bottom of the screen are perplexing. "Portions are pre-recorded" and "Rebroadcast of a live program". Hey, we are in the East, you idiots. I think that last message was for our Western friends. I recognize Spoon, Arcade Fire and Beck as some of the background music.

9:02: Christ. It's Billy Bush and Nancy O'Dell behind a Golden Globes podium. This is gonna suck. They also have Shaun Robinson and an EW writer in a different area to give us some pre-award outlooks and post-award "assessments".

9:03: I guess they are gonna go right through the list of awards without much conversation. The first award is the Best Supporting Actress, which goes to Cate Blanchett for "I'm Not There", the Dylan movie. Unbelievably, Bush and O'Dell are gonna offer their opinions after the winner is revealed. WTF? Who cares. Just say "...and the winner is...". Oh, this is hopeless. Can't I go online and find out who won?

I continued to watch, and here some ads I noticed:

Good to see Sofia Vergara with some post-"Knights of Prosperity" work on the new Cadillac Escalade ad. I like the way she says, "Cupholders".

Bob Serpentini will do your taxes!

An odd, but funny Frisco Melt commercial from Steak N Shake.

Kid from "Weeds" is on a very special "Law and Order: SVU" this week.

"Hello Goodbuy" from Target. I think it's the same arrangement as always.

What the hell is COPD with Bronchitis? Sounds like a hip-hop duet.

Hey, the Cadillac CTS is Motor Trend Car of the Year. Who knew? Only saw that ad a 1,000 times today.

Tide Pure Essentials uses Baking Soda. And they also use "Linus and Lucy" from Charlie Brown as the music. Rats.

Gene Simmons proclaims, "I am the King of all women!".

Rare Earth's "Celebrate" is on an AT&T ad.

Beyonce still looks good.

Gee, that Applebee's Apple sounds suspiciously like Wanda Sykes. I can't wait for "Larry David. You a racist.". Seriously, why would they have Wanda do voiceovers for a while, then introduce something called the Applebee's Apple with her voice? Makes no sense.

Hey, "ER" is still on.

Meal of Links

Penn Jillette has started a venture called "Penn Says". He talks about a bunch of stuff, I guess, from time to time.

As I've said, a main argument against "Juno" is its soundtrack. And its dialogue and some other stances. I don't know, it made me laugh a lot. So there.

And you thought the Consumer Electronics Show only had 150-inch Plasma TVs. Williams-Sonoma announced the BeerTender will be available stateside come March 1.

Exercise Yard

It was a pretty good set of tackle football playoff games this weekend. Yesterday went to form as both Green Bay and New England looked really good in their wins. I thought those two teams would win. Green Bay made Seattle look pretty awful in the snow, after falling behind 14-0. You don't get many snow games at Lambeau, so that was fun to watch.

Jacksonville hung in there for a good portion of their game, but New England is so tough this year. I will say this, the drive that Jacksonville had to tie the game at 14, that was a man's drive. They just pounded the ball continually up the middle, and for a minute, I thought it might be the Browns defense out there in disguise. But Tom Brady was almost perfect and I'm really going out on a limb as I think they'll get to the Super Bowl.

Today's games show why you play the game. You had two coaches, Norv Turner at San Diego and Wade Phillips at Dallas, who could exorcise some demons with a win. I had no confidence in either the Giants or Chargers winning. I'm still puzzled at how Indianapolis did not win their game. Going in, who would have thought that it was gonna be a brutally physical game. Big-time hitting. I expected that in the second game, but not in the RCA Dome. Plus, the Bolts scored on a 56-yard screen pass. When was the last time you saw that? I'm not giving the Chargers much of a chance to go cross-country and have anything left for the Patriots.

The Dallas-New York game was pretty physical, as well. The G-Men did just enough to win, mainly playing superb defense and not turning the ball over. The turning point was right before the half after Dallas had a drive that lasted over 10 minutes to go ahead 14-7. The Giants got the ball with 48 seconds and drove for a tying TD. Stole that momentum pretty quick! In the second half, the Giants got that lone TD and hung on for the win. An outstanding effort by them. Wade Phillips still has that nagging record of having good regular seasons (this Dallas one his best), but still winless in the playoffs. They did not play well down the stretch, seemingly when Jessica Simpson arrived on the scene, but I thought they were a better team than to lose their first playoff game. Hard to figure the Giants can go on the road and win another playoff game, despite only one road loss win this year.

Next Sunday it is:

Bloody Marys to start my day.

San Diego at New England at 3:00.

New York at Green Bay at 6:30.

Visitor

None. It's a playoff football weekend.