Friday Weisblog: James Brown’s “green” and the trivia answer

It appears that tomorrow at this time, the two-year battle over the estate of James Brown (a/k/a “The Godfather of Soul”) could finally be coming to an end. I say it’s about time. Please Please Please get this over with already!

His adult children could soon be taking the Night Train straight to the bank, realizing that Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag – and it’s full of money. It’s enough to make anyone say, “I Feel Good.”

The unnecessary in-fighting among Brown’s family members is what happens when you are Living in America. Some would say that, for the kids who sat on the couch waiting for their fortune to roll in, it’s time to Get Up Offa That Thing.

How the kids will spend dad’s money is anyone’s guess. It boggles the mind and makes one break out into a Cold Sweat.

All kidding aside, how often have we seen money come between family members? I’ve seen it in my own world, and it’s really an unfortunate thing when it happens. In life, you only get one chance with your family, and you shouldn’t blow it.

Now, for the answer to yesterday’s trivia question: What is Shaggy from the Scooby Doo show’s real name? The answer is Norville Rogers. Yep, really. Norville Rogers.

Finally, my Super Bowl prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Arizona Cardinals 20. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Thursday Weisblog: He woulda gotten away with it … if not for that meddling dog!

Keith Culbertson was a bartender in South Florida who had an affection for all things Scooby Doo. He woke each morning to a Scooby Doo alarm clock. His Toyota 4Runner even had special Scooby seat-belt attachments.

Baron Earl Moore is charged with Culbertson’s 2003 slaying, and court proceedings have begun. Culbertson’s SUV was stolen, he was shot three times in the face, and his body was dumped in a field.

So how did they put the pieces together linking Moore to the killing? The Scooby Doo wallet they found in Moore’s possession. Ruh-roh!

Yes, there is “Moore” to the story than this, but let this be a lesson to any would-be criminal who might be reading this. Repeat after me: Destroy the evidence.

Before I close, a bit of Scooby trivia. What is Shaggy’s real name (No, this isn’t a trick question; Shaggy is just his nickname). The answer tomorrow. If you want to know so much that you can’t wait until tomorrow, you’re gonna have to work for it and do a Google search.

Wednesday Weisblog: Are you KID-ding me?

This past Monday at the Bellflower Medical Center in California, all hands were on deck in the maternity ward. When everything was said and done, history had been made. The mother, who chooses to remain anonymous, had just given birth to eight babies – in a five-minute span!

Reports say that the parents and physicians were shocked when the final child was born – because they were only expecting seven. Hey, we got seven, what’s one more? they probably thought.

The most amazing part is that all eight babies (ranging in weight from one pound, fifteen ounces to three pounds, four ounces) have survived so far and appear to be in decent health, all things considered. They are only the second set of live octuplets in history that have survived more than just a few hours. Of course, they won’t know for sure for awhile, and there is higher risk of health problems in cases such as this.

“All the babies were delivered vigorously, crying and kicking,” said Dr. Mandhir Gupta, a neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center.

The best quote of all was this gem by the good Doctor Gupta: “She’s a very strong woman, so she probably will be able to handle all eight babies.”

With all due respect, Dr. Gupta, I respond thusly: EASY FOR YOU TO SAY, DUDE! One baby is a chore; two babies are difficult; eight babies is a day-care!

Hollywood is buzzing over the fact that Molly Ringwald is expecting twins. I say, “big deal!”

Until she can accomplish the feat of this woman, I am simply not impressed!

All kidding aside, say a prayer for the continued health of these kids. They still have a long road ahead of them before they are officially pronounced healthy.

Tuesday Weisblog: Wacky goings-on in Vegas this week

How many of you, when you go to your Super Bowl party, will have the “big board” up and running (the one where you buy boxes hoping the corresponding numbers line up in your favor)? How many of you have side wagers?

Why do you do it? I remember one year when I had my own Super Bowl party and played “Super Bowl Bingo” for a store gift card (my thought was that it would keep the non-fans more involved in the game – and it worked!) Things like this work for the same reason Fantasy Football has become so popular – it adds more entertainment value to the game itself.

Now take a look at the stuff they have available in Vegas … they ones they call “proposition bets.” These bets are things like, “Who will win the coin toss,” “team to score first,” “player to score first,” “distance of the game’s first punt,” “number of interceptions,” “which team enters the red zone first,” “whether or not a player scores two touchdowns,” and the list goes on. A couple years ago, I even remember one that was something like, “The total combined score of both teams versus the amount of points Kobe Bryant would score against the Hornets” on the Sunday afternoon NBA game.
Odd as they may be, they’re serious business.

Despite being intrigued by these wacky offerings, I’ll never be tempted enough to do anything this silly. Just give me the big board (and Super Bowl Bingo when I’m feeling really crazy) and I’ll be just fine, thank you very much.

Monday Weisblog: Super ads, minus a wardrobe malfunction

Why do most men like the Super Bowl? Because of the game.

Why do most women like it? Because of the commercials.

Perhaps I shouldn’t stereotype, but I did say “most.”

Did you know that there was a dedicated Web site for every Super Bowl commercial since 1998? Predictably, it’s called www.superbowl-ads.com. For an amusing trip down memory lane, check it out sometime.

The folks at msnbc.com recently did their “Top 10 Super Bowl Ads of All Time,” and three of my favorites are on the list (the entire list and links to the ads can be found at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28780693/)

Budweiser “Frogs” (1998); Reebok: “Terry Tate, Office Linebacker” (2003); Coke: “Mean Joe Greene” (1979)

Just in case you’re wondering, despite the economy being such as it is, this year’s price for a 30-second commercial is $3 million, up from $2.7 million procured last year.

Let’s hear from you. What are your favorite all-time Super Bowl ads? How about your least favorite?

Friday Weisblog: Laying down the gavel … a little too softly

It’s no wonder our country’s police officers are frustrated. Just as quick as they round up the perps and get them off the streets, they’re back out committing more crimes – and this happens over and over.

There are many problems with our judicial system. For starters, a good attorney can often find a technicality to keep their client from incarceration. I listened to a phone-in radio show this morning in which a high-priced defense attorney was telling someone facing pending drug charges ways to make sure the charges don’t stick. (I know everyone deserves a fair trial, but no one should get off on a technicality if they are truly guilty.)

Second, the punishment is frequently not severe enough. Consider the case (or should I say cases) of Henry Earl of Lexington, Kentucky. As of September of last year, Mr. Earl has been arrested more than 1,000 times in the last 13 years – almost all for public intoxication. That adds up to just about one arrest for every five or six days he’s been alive since that date – and far less than that if you don’t count the days he’s actually spent behind bars. Mr. Earl makes Otis Campbell from The Andy Griffith Show look like a choirboy.

I long for the good old days when the punishment fit the crime. If you were sentenced to five years, you did five years. Now you might get 6-7 months, and for someone like Mr. Earl the jail’s like a Motel 6. They probably really do leave the light on for him in Lexington.

The system needs repair … soon.

Thank you to all the police officers who keep us safe and put up with crap like this – and still continue to do their jobs with a positive attitude.