The 10 best Super Bowl ads of all time - Business of Super Bowl - MSNBC.com: "By Peter Hartlaub
MSNBC contributor
Updated: 2:29 p.m. CT Feb 1, 2007
Thirty-four years ago this month, Farrah Fawcett sensuously applied Noxzema to Joe Namath’s manly chin — touching off an escalating arms race of expensive Super Bowl commercials that have frequently been more entertaining than the games.
Last year, advertisers weren’t shy about spending $2.5 million on a 30-second commercial, but only the Budweiser “Magic Fridge” commercial came within striking distance of our Top 10 list.
Below are the best Super Bowl commercials of all time, the keys to their success and the prospects of the company after the spot aired. As you can see, just because people are still talking about an ad more than 20 years later doesn’t mean the product changed the world."
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Hard Case Crime Update
Three pieces of exciting news for fans of Hard Case Crime: 1) Later this year we're going to be publishing the last crime novel the great Mickey Spillane ever wrote. It's called DEAD STREET, and it's about an ex-cop who discovers that his girlfriend's death 20 years earlier in a botched abduction may not have gone down quite the way he thought -- and that she might not be dead after all. Mickey was working on several books at the time of his death, including a couple of Mike Hammer detective novels and a sort of men's adventure novel, but DEAD STREET is the last pure crime novel he put his hand to, and we think Spillane's millions of readers will find it a special treat. If you go to our Web site -- www.hardcasecrime.com -- you'll see we've posted the cover art, a sample chapter, and some information about the book. Just a little taste to whet your appetite...2) Those of you who read the New York Post may have seen a story in "Page Six" last week about Lawrence Block's new Hard Case Crime novel, LUCKY AT CARDS; those of you who watch Craig Ferguson's "Late, Late Show" this coming week will get to see Larry talk about it on television. It's a great story -- how Larry wrote this terrific crime novel back in 1964, how it was originally published under a fake name and a different title, and how the book hasn't seen the light of day in any form for four decades. Well, after months of anticipation, our new edition of LUCKY AT CARDS is finally out -- you can find it at your favorite local bookseller. I know you won't want to miss this one.
3) At the end of this month, Max Phillips -- the man who co-founded Hard Case Crime with me and won the Shamus Award for Best Paperback Novel for FADE TO BLONDE -- will be publishing a new novel called EYE OF THE ARCHANGEL, under his sometime pseudonym "Forrest DeVoe Jr." It's a spy novel set in the 1960s, and it tells the story of operatives Jack Mallory (the laconic Texan with a talent for gunplay) and Laura Morse (the beautiful and deadly martial arts expert) teaming up to save the world from an international arms dealer who has gotten his hands on some technology developed by a German scientist at the end of World War II. You'll visit Monte Carlo and the Swiss Alps, race in the Grand Prix, witness a fight to the death atop a swaying cable car, and meet a cast of colorful, sexy, and dangerous characters. If you enjoyed the recent Bond film "Casino Royale," you'll love EYE OF THE ARCHANGEL. We're not publishing this book -- it's coming from HarperCollins -- but I can't recommend it more strongly. Not because Max is a friend and I like to see his books do well (though that's true, of course) -- simply because the book's so damn good. If you like our books, you'll like this one. We'll be back with more news in a few weeks, including our first free book drawing of the new year. In the meantime, do pick up a copy of LUCKY AT CARDS -- you won't regret it...
There's a Series Here, but I'm too Lazy to Write It
Native American trackers to step up border role - Yahoo! News: "SELLS, Arizona (Reuters) - An elite group of Native American trackers that use skills handed down from the ancestral hunt is being tapped to play a larger role in securing the United States' borders.
Little known outside law enforcement circles, the Shadow Wolves have hunted drug and human traffickers on a lonely stretch of the Arizona-Mexico border southwest of Tucson since the 1970s.
In an age of unmanned aerial surveillance drones, video cameras and electronic sensors on the borders, the 14-member unit uses age-old 'sign cutting' techniques to follow foot, horse and vehicle trails for miles across the cactus-studded wastes of the Tohono O'odham nation for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
'These skills go back generations, but with all the high-technologies they are still producing fantastic results,' Alonzo Pena, the ICE special agent in Arizona, said Thursday."
Little known outside law enforcement circles, the Shadow Wolves have hunted drug and human traffickers on a lonely stretch of the Arizona-Mexico border southwest of Tucson since the 1970s.
In an age of unmanned aerial surveillance drones, video cameras and electronic sensors on the borders, the 14-member unit uses age-old 'sign cutting' techniques to follow foot, horse and vehicle trails for miles across the cactus-studded wastes of the Tohono O'odham nation for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
'These skills go back generations, but with all the high-technologies they are still producing fantastic results,' Alonzo Pena, the ICE special agent in Arizona, said Thursday."
Good News from Hollywood
Dolph Lundgren Wants To Make A Film With Jean Claude Van Damme And Chuck Norris - Starpulse News Blog: "Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren wants to unite with fellow action movie stars Jean Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris to make a new action comedy film.
The Rocky IV star insists he can overcome scheduling difficulties and the advancing ages of the statuesque stars to bring the trio together on screen.
He tells Empire magazine, 'You know, I was thinking today, it would be great to make a movie with the 80s action rat pack - Jean Claude and a few others. There are issues with schedules and age and so on, but maybe I'll be the one to make it happen. I was talking to Chuck Norris' people about doing something with him, maybe an action comedy?'"
The Rocky IV star insists he can overcome scheduling difficulties and the advancing ages of the statuesque stars to bring the trio together on screen.
He tells Empire magazine, 'You know, I was thinking today, it would be great to make a movie with the 80s action rat pack - Jean Claude and a few others. There are issues with schedules and age and so on, but maybe I'll be the one to make it happen. I was talking to Chuck Norris' people about doing something with him, maybe an action comedy?'"
Cranked!
wcco.com - Meth Users Turning To Urine To Get High: "When Wright County deputies opened up a smelly rented storage locker last June, they had no idea what they would find. Inside a man had stored 50 gallon jugs of urine.
'The officers that responded looked at it and said, 'yeah, that's odd,'' said Wright County Narcotics Sgt. Becky Howell.
The deputies gave the go-ahead to the owners to throw out the urine. When they did, they got sick.
A week and half later, that report hit Howell's desk.
'I said, 'Oh my gosh, this is a meth lab, this is a urine extraction lab,'' Howell said.
It's a new way to get meth. Some people drink the meth-tainted urine outright to get high. Others filter the drug back out through the cooking process.
'I'm not 100 percent sure what this guy was doing,' said Howell. 'Five years ago, I probably would have been surprised at that. But now, knowing and understanding methamphetamine and an addict's addiction to it, it doesn't surprise me.'"
'The officers that responded looked at it and said, 'yeah, that's odd,'' said Wright County Narcotics Sgt. Becky Howell.
The deputies gave the go-ahead to the owners to throw out the urine. When they did, they got sick.
A week and half later, that report hit Howell's desk.
'I said, 'Oh my gosh, this is a meth lab, this is a urine extraction lab,'' Howell said.
It's a new way to get meth. Some people drink the meth-tainted urine outright to get high. Others filter the drug back out through the cooking process.
'I'm not 100 percent sure what this guy was doing,' said Howell. 'Five years ago, I probably would have been surprised at that. But now, knowing and understanding methamphetamine and an addict's addiction to it, it doesn't surprise me.'"
Kasey Lansdale and Ray Price
James Reasoner's plugging Kasey Lansdale's appearance with Ray Price, but that won't stop me from doing the same. Kasey is the talented daughter of author Joe Lansdale. Here's the info:
Satuday, February 17, 2007 - 7pm
Selena Auditorium - American Bank Center - 1901 N. Shorelie Blvd. -
Corpus Christi, TX
Tickets on sale Monday, December 4, 2006
All seats reserved: $41.50 $31.50 $21.50
Available at Box Office
Order by phone 361.881.8499
Order online www.ticketmaster.com
Friday, February 02, 2007
Lee Hazlewood
Fred Blosser told me about this article on Lee Hazlewood, who's dying of renal cancer. Hazlewood's probably best remembered for his work with Nancy Sinatra, but he was around long before his collaboration with her, and he's been around ever since. He has a new CD that I'm listening to right now, Cake or Death, and it's great stuff. "Baghdad Knights" is a fine political number, and I'd never have guessed someone could make a listenable version of "Please Come to Boston." Hazlewood pulls it off wonderfully. Some of the songs are funny ("Fred Freud"), but if you can listen to the snippet of "Some Velvet Morning" sung by Hazlewood's granddaughter Phaedra, or to the last song on the CD, "The Old Man," without getting a little misty-eyed, you're a harder man than I am. There's an excellent overview of Hazlewood's career here. Just click on "Full Review."
Lee Hazlewood - Music - New York Times: "LEE HAZLEWOOD is ready to die. Suffering excruciating pain from renal cancer, Mr. Hazlewood, the reclusive singer, songwriter and producer doesn’t have much time left, maybe a year if he’s lucky. So he has been preparing for what he calls his impending “dirt nap.”
He has decided he wants to be cremated, and to have his ashes strewn on a Swedish island where he composed some of his favorite songs. He has chosen his epitaph: “Didn’t he ramble,” referring to his loner-drifter nature. He has already given away most of his gold and platinum records, which he earned making hits for Duane Eddy, Dean Martin and Nancy Sinatra, including “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” one of the most famous pop songs of all time. He has released his swan song, the quirky album “Cake or Death,” which hit stores last week. And he married his longtime girlfriend, Jeane Kelley, in a drive-through ceremony in Las Vegas."
Lee Hazlewood - Music - New York Times: "LEE HAZLEWOOD is ready to die. Suffering excruciating pain from renal cancer, Mr. Hazlewood, the reclusive singer, songwriter and producer doesn’t have much time left, maybe a year if he’s lucky. So he has been preparing for what he calls his impending “dirt nap.”
He has decided he wants to be cremated, and to have his ashes strewn on a Swedish island where he composed some of his favorite songs. He has chosen his epitaph: “Didn’t he ramble,” referring to his loner-drifter nature. He has already given away most of his gold and platinum records, which he earned making hits for Duane Eddy, Dean Martin and Nancy Sinatra, including “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” one of the most famous pop songs of all time. He has released his swan song, the quirky album “Cake or Death,” which hit stores last week. And he married his longtime girlfriend, Jeane Kelley, in a drive-through ceremony in Las Vegas."
Damnation Street -- Andrew Klavan
I confess that I'm a sucker for Andrew Klavan's novels. I've been a fan ever since he was writing as "Keith Peterson." I find his books entertaining in ways that a lot of other books aren't. They're often quite inventive (The Uncanny is a particular favorite in that regard), and the plots are engrossing.Damnation Street is the final book of the trilogy that began with Shotgun Alley and continued in Dynamite Road. The books are about a young man who gets out of college and finds a job with a detective agency. The other members of the agency play important roles in the young man's growing up. Scott Weiss, the agency's owner, is the older man who provides wise counsel. Jim Bishop is the near-Superman who shows what physical prowess can do. Sissy is the secretary, who provides sex education. All three books in the series are tough and suspenseful, and even the mixture of first- and third-person narration doesn't bother me because it makes perfect sense the way Klavin's narrator explains it.
These books probably aren't for everyone, but I enjoyed all three of them. They pretty much have to be read in order, I'd say. Check 'em out if you're looking for a slightly different angle on the standard p.i. story.
Have the Terrorists Won?
I read once that the object of terrorism is to create terror. Seems to have worked.Maybe the guys behind the guerrilla ad campaign in Boston were just irresponsible goobers, but maybe the city overreacted.
Turner to pay cost of Boston security scare: report | Top News | Reuters.com
BOSTON (Reuters) - Turner Broadcasting has agreed to pay the full cost -- around $1 million -- of a security alert in Boston triggered by battery-powered cartoon advertising signs for one of its shows, The Boston Globe reported on Friday.
Authorities are investigating the role of U.S. media group, which took out an advertisement in the newspaper on Friday to apologize for Wednesday's daylong security scare triggered by a "guerrilla" marketing campaign.
"We did not intend to perpetrate a hoax," the ad said.
The Globe, quoting Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, said the company would pay costs expected to top $500,000 in Boston and another $500,000 for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and two nearby cities.
Menino was not immediately available to comment.
The 12-inch (30-cm) signs -- a total of 38 across the city under bridges, on storefronts and near busy train stations -- were meant to promote an animated character for an adult-themed show on Turner's Cartoon Network called "Aqua Teen Hunger Force." A movie version is also being produced.
Authorities have charged Sean Stevens, 28, and Peter Berdovsky, 27, in the security alert, Boston's biggest since the September 11 attacks. They pleaded not guilty to charges of placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct.
Crimebusting Croc
Man bitten by croc while fleeing police - Yahoo!7 News: "A man has been bitten on the head by a crocodile at Daly River, about 150 kilometres south of Darwin, while trying to flee police.
Police say they tried to contact the 40-year-old man at his house for much of yesterday, alleging he had breached his bail conditions.
They say each time they approached the house the man ran away to the long grass near the riverbank.
When police visited at 8pm ACST last night, the man again ran to the river.
A search for him failed but he turned up later at a nearby house bleeding from wounds to his head and hand.
The man claimed he had been bitten by a crocodile.
He was treated locally and then taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital this morning.
Acting Police Superintendent Tony Fuller says police are trying to see the 'funny side' of the incident."
Police say they tried to contact the 40-year-old man at his house for much of yesterday, alleging he had breached his bail conditions.
They say each time they approached the house the man ran away to the long grass near the riverbank.
When police visited at 8pm ACST last night, the man again ran to the river.
A search for him failed but he turned up later at a nearby house bleeding from wounds to his head and hand.
The man claimed he had been bitten by a crocodile.
He was treated locally and then taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital this morning.
Acting Police Superintendent Tony Fuller says police are trying to see the 'funny side' of the incident."
The Best Investment of the Day
This guy's hunch was better than Cap'n Bob's dream.
LasVegasNOW.com | News for Las Vegas, Nevada - Nevada Man Makes Penny Jackpot History: "A Nevada resident became a multi-millionaire Wednesday after his penny investment in Penny Megabucks(R) paid off in spades at the Pahrump Nugget Casino.
The payout was $18,799,414, the largest penny slot jackpot in history.
'On my way over to the casino this morning,' said the anonymous 66-year-old man, 'I actually thought about playing Penny Megabucks(R). I don't know why because I normally play video poker. So after rolling several practice games, I went to have lunch and on the way back to the lanes, I stopped to play Penny Megabucks(R).
'I put in $100 and after playing $44, I saw five eagles line up and thought I had won about $3,000,' he added. 'Then I looked up, and the large jackpot on top of the machine had switched from $18 million to $10 million. Then I knew I had won something big.'
The winner said he will pay off some bills and then take his wife on a long trip to Australia."
LasVegasNOW.com | News for Las Vegas, Nevada - Nevada Man Makes Penny Jackpot History: "A Nevada resident became a multi-millionaire Wednesday after his penny investment in Penny Megabucks(R) paid off in spades at the Pahrump Nugget Casino.
The payout was $18,799,414, the largest penny slot jackpot in history.
'On my way over to the casino this morning,' said the anonymous 66-year-old man, 'I actually thought about playing Penny Megabucks(R). I don't know why because I normally play video poker. So after rolling several practice games, I went to have lunch and on the way back to the lanes, I stopped to play Penny Megabucks(R).
'I put in $100 and after playing $44, I saw five eagles line up and thought I had won about $3,000,' he added. 'Then I looked up, and the large jackpot on top of the machine had switched from $18 million to $10 million. Then I knew I had won something big.'
The winner said he will pay off some bills and then take his wife on a long trip to Australia."
Punxsutawney Phil Is 121 Years Old? Who Knew?
Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring - Yahoo! News: "PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - A new pair of hands pulled him from his stump this year, so it was only fitting that Punxsutawney Phil offered a new prediction.
The groundhog did not see his shadow Friday which, according to German folklore, means folks can expect an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter.
Since 1886, Phil has seen his shadow 96 times, hasn't seen it 14 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The last time Phil failed to see his shadow was in 1999."
The groundhog did not see his shadow Friday which, according to German folklore, means folks can expect an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter.
Since 1886, Phil has seen his shadow 96 times, hasn't seen it 14 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The last time Phil failed to see his shadow was in 1999."
Let's Not Forget . . .
. . . that this is still on sale. How many copies have you bought? Well, that's not enough.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Thank Goodness I'm No Longer Blogging about Paris Hilton
Otherwise, I'd be forced to link to this, which would confirm all your worst suspicions.
Harry Potter Pub Date Announced
iWon News - Final Harry Potter Book Due Out in July
LONDON (AP) - "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the last of seven installments of the boy wizard's adventures, will be published July 21, author J.K. Rowling said Thursday.
Rowling announced the publication date on her Web site.
Bloomsbury, her British publisher, said it would publish a children's hardback edition, an adult hardback, a special gift edition and an audio book on the same day.
Scholastic Children's Books, the U.S. publisher, said it would offer a hardback edition at a suggested retail price of $34.99, a deluxe edition at $65.00 and a reinforced library edition at $39.99.
Bloomsbury noted that this year is the 10th anniversary of the publication of the first "Harry Potter" book in the phenomenally successful series.
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Happy Birthday, Phil Everly!
Phil Everly turns 70 today. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for the young whippersnappers out there to understand the excitement a new record by Don and Phil could generate 50 years ago. "Wake Up, Little Susie," "Bird Dog," "Devoted to You," "Cathy's Clown," the beat goes on. And they can still make terrific music when they try.
And let's not forget Stuart Whitman. "Mon-sewer" Regret is 79 today. Anybody but me remember Claude King's recording of "The Comancheros"? I didn't think so. So to refresh your memory, here are the lyrics:
The Comancheros're takin' this land the Comancheros're takin' this land
Paul Regret of New Orleans was a fast man with a gun
Didn't want to go but he had to run when he shot down Moebeam Sam
Yes he shot down Moebeam Sam
With the dark of night he had left town never to return again
With a oneway ticket at the end of the line
He was told by a stranger man the Comancheros're takin' this land
And then the Comancheros came robbin' through the night
Stealin' and a killin' takin' everything in sight
Nothin' left behind but a blood in the sand
The Comancheros're takin' this land the Comancheros're takin' this land
[ trumpet ]
I'll cover every inch of the ground where I stand I'd die before I'd run
I'm not afraid of any living man and here I'll make my stand
With a gun I'll make my stand
He rode into the Comanchero town like a wild man on the run
Before he'd leave they'd all be dead they died by his blazin' gun
They died by his blazin' gun
And then the Comancheros came robbin'.
And let's not forget Stuart Whitman. "Mon-sewer" Regret is 79 today. Anybody but me remember Claude King's recording of "The Comancheros"? I didn't think so. So to refresh your memory, here are the lyrics:
The Comancheros're takin' this land the Comancheros're takin' this land
Paul Regret of New Orleans was a fast man with a gun
Didn't want to go but he had to run when he shot down Moebeam Sam
Yes he shot down Moebeam Sam
With the dark of night he had left town never to return again
With a oneway ticket at the end of the line
He was told by a stranger man the Comancheros're takin' this land
And then the Comancheros came robbin' through the night
Stealin' and a killin' takin' everything in sight
Nothin' left behind but a blood in the sand
The Comancheros're takin' this land the Comancheros're takin' this land
[ trumpet ]
I'll cover every inch of the ground where I stand I'd die before I'd run
I'm not afraid of any living man and here I'll make my stand
With a gun I'll make my stand
He rode into the Comanchero town like a wild man on the run
Before he'd leave they'd all be dead they died by his blazin' gun
They died by his blazin' gun
And then the Comancheros came robbin'.
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
TEXAS | KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas
By JIM VERTUNO / Associated Press
Texas parents beware: miss a meeting with your child's teacher and it could cost you a $500 fine and a criminal record.
A Republican state lawmaker from Baytown has filed a bill that would charge parents of public school students with a Class C misdemeanor and fine them for playing hooky from a scheduled parent-teacher conference.
Excuses are allowed, but be prepared to have a good one. In a state that allows corporal punishment, this could subject parents to a good spanking.
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The Caveman's Crib
If you like the Geico Caveman, you can take a tour of his digs. He's giving a party, and you've arrived early. Check it out, but beware: you can spend a long time looking through the magazines, reading his annotations in War and Peace, or watching him try on clothes.
Did Duane Swiercyznski Have a Hand in This?
A convenience store to sell beer in Pa.: "In another move that chips away at the state's stranglehold on beer and liquor sales, Sheetz Inc. has been cleared to sell takeout beer at its super-sized convenience store and restaurant in Altoona.
Starting this afternoon, it will become one of the first gas station convenience stores in Pennsylvania permitted to sell beer. It can do so because the gas station is segregated from the on-site restaurant, which technically is a separate business.
The 55-year-old company, which has grown both in sales and popularity over the last decade thanks to its made-to-order sandwiches, already can sell beer at locations in West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and Virginia."
Starting this afternoon, it will become one of the first gas station convenience stores in Pennsylvania permitted to sell beer. It can do so because the gas station is segregated from the on-site restaurant, which technically is a separate business.
The 55-year-old company, which has grown both in sales and popularity over the last decade thanks to its made-to-order sandwiches, already can sell beer at locations in West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and Virginia."
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