This past Friday, I went to The Sports Authority in a local mall by work to look at running shoes, and before I could walk past the checkout aisles, I saw a massive display for Breast Cancer Awareness month, sponsored by the NFL and the American Cancer Society.  Initially, I didn’t think much of it, because I’m used to seeing pink-colored NFL apparel.  For the last five or so years, the NFL has partnered with ACS in October to raise awareness for Breast Cancer.  The players usually have pink accents added onto their uniforms and parts of the field change color to pink as well.  Again I didn’t think much of the display intially, but the more I thought about it, I started wondering if the Breast Cancer Awareness month for the NFL is really just “Football for Women Awareness Month.”

Now I know that the NFL doing quite a bit to raise awareness for a cause anyone would agree is completely altruistic is great on paper, but I’ve seen enough movies with huge corporations as villains to know that good things usually exist because profit is involved.  For the last few years, the NFL has been trying to market itself to women.  They don’t care about men anymore.  Why? Because they’ve reached the saturation point.  All men like football.  Even if they don’t, they’ll like it once their office does a fantasy football pool.  That said, there’s no real way to get more men on board.  The NFL has set up the reverse-Romney campaign to get women.  Because they know they already have 47% of the population (men), they aren’t going to try anything else to keep them.  They’ll just start trying to get those other 53%.  Some might say, had Romney just tried to get the people not like him and focused less on his base, he would have won, but this is not the time or place for that.

So the NFL has set up a full-fledged marketing assault on women.  Have you seen the most recent NFL ad targeted at women?:

That ad is 30 seconds of Jim Harbaugh (49er’s coach) pandering to women.  He tells women, they are tough, they are just as good, they have hearts of lions, etc etc.  The images in that ad are basically the most beautiful women on tv telling us normies that “women are people too!  now go put on this ladies jersey with some man’s name on the back while you take care of your baby.”  This ad started airing in September, and has led us to where we are now: PINK MONTH!  All those girlfriends and wives who’ve been unwittingly forced to watch a game with their significant other have a whole month where the NFL showers marketing ploys at them, which is, at it’s core what I think Breast Cancer Awareness month is for the NFL.

I think the NFL thinks that the mere attempt to toss some pink stuff onto uniforms, fields and apparel will make women think, “OMG, I like love the NFL now. I want a pink jersey!”  They literally think that is it.  I can’t say for certain there aren’t some women out there who would be down for the cause for that reason alone, but I like to think that as a society we are smarter than that.  The NFL doesn’t do anything unless it adds to their coffers.  They have their players union by the balls, and wont even pay for better equipment that is safer because it is more expensive.  I find it impossible to think they would shell out millions of dollars in advertising between them and the ACS without making serious profits.  The NFL makes billions of dollars in apparel sales and a portion of their proceeds for their pink apparel will go to Breast Cancer Awareness.  I highly doubt the NFL cares very much about any of the real world benefits associated with donating money to a great health cause.

Last night I watched Monday Night Football with my girlfriend and I asked her her thoughts on the NFL going pink for October. I told her it was to raise awareness for breast cancer, but little else.  She loved it.  I am sure that’s what the NFL is going for.  They want people with little interest in football to care in someway, as a way to hook them.  It’s smart, it’s shrewd, but I don’t think it’s coming from any place that is remotely altruistic.  If the NFL wasn’t generating serious profits from the pink apparel, I’m certain it wouldn’t be happening.  I don’t know if that should really be the mindset for philanthropy.  The NFL has partnered with ACS for Breast Cancer Awareness Month because it is good for their brand.  If it was not good for their brand, they would have nothing to do with it, and that percentage of money being raised for awareness, would go elsewhere.

This all brings me back to the thoughts I had last week as I stood staring at the NFL Breast Cancer display.  Shouldn’t altruism exist without any intrinsic personal gain?  Or should we look to do good in ways that benefit us?  Or does it matter at all and I’m just a negative nancy?  I don’t really know where I fall completely when it comes to the NFL and Breast Cancer Awareness, but I do know I’m watching closely.

I’ve got my eye on you NFL…

The post The NFL and Breast Cancer: Good, Bad, or Both? appeared first on Rookerville.

No one likes admitting they were wrong.  I am no different.  Back in May, I predicted that Sleepy Hollow had a 50/50 shot of being the first of Fox’ new series offerings to get cancelled this season.  Not only is that not happening, but it’s also the first series on ANY network to get a second season pickup.  How is this possible?

After the initial ratings of Sleepy Hollow’s first episode, I was blown away.  How could it be Fox’ highest rated series premiere in like five years? From the trailer it looked like a complicated mess of time travel, National Treasure, Sleepy Hollow (the actual story), cheese, and bullshit.  So I took the bait and watched the first episode.  It was everything I thought it would be minus the bullshit part.  It’s just a fun, dumb show and it is fully cognizant of what it is.  It has a blockbuster pedigree coming from writers Alex Kurtzman and Bob Orci (the Transformers movies, the Star Trek movies, Lost, Fringe), so they seem to really have a handle on what masses of people like.

The show plays like a mystery-adventure of the week in that the time displaced Ichabod Crane, and his partner, officer Abbie Mills investigate weird paranormal ghost,witch, and monster stories that have been prophecized by the Book of Revelations.  Best yet, is that George Washington was using Ichabod Crane as a spy to track and kill the Hessian soldier who would become the famous Headless Horseman.   Oh and by the way, the Headless Horseman is also one of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.  Yup.  This show is crazy. You can tell the writers probably snicker once or twice a week as they are making this shit up.  Bonus points to them for showing the Headless Horseman, now in modern times, using an M-16 to blow away cops.  Hilarious. Just hilarious.

Besides a ridiculous premise that, oddly enough is working, the cast is pretty great.  The buddy cop pairing of an old-timey Englishman, and a black woman, is refreshing.  It shouldn’t feel weird to see a black woman as the lead on a major network show, but it is.  Scandal and Sleepy Hollow ftw.  Another plus of the show, is that it apparently knows when enough is enough.  Myth heavy shows struggle to air 22 episodes.  Many end up collapsing on themselves over time, so Sleepy Hollow is taking the 13 episodes per season route.  That will enable the writers to keep the story much tighter over the run.  Cable has shown that we’re getting to the point where less is more.  Next season of Sleepy Hollow will only have to worry about 13 episodes, bringing it’s total count to 26, instead of 44.  Think about all the throwaway episodes we wont have to worry about now.

Fox took a huge gamble in airing Sleepy Hollow and after three weeks, it’s their highest rated show, scripted or otherwise.  I don’t think it’s the smartest show on tv by any means, but now that Breaking Bad is over, it’s nice to have a show to watch that doesn’t require all of my brain or any of my emotions.  As far as network tv is concerned you can do so much worse than this.  I encourage you to give the show a shot.  If you liked Fringe, but wish it didn’t take itself so seriously, or if you want to watch an entertaining hour of tv that does not weight on your conscience, give it a go. It’s on Monday nights at 9:00 on Fox, so unless you’re into the Monday Night Football or Dancing With The Stars matchup, it’s your best bet.

The post Show With Promise Alert: Sleepy Hollow appeared first on Rookerville.

For the last three years, I have set my watch to Timmy’s Party at Call Box Lounge.  Why? Because I like knowing exactly what I am going to get when I go out.  I’m getting older.  I’m almost 30 and at this point in my life, I don’t have the energy to try the coolest, newest bar or dj night.  There’s nothing wrong with doing that, but I love an “old reliable.” Timmy’s Party is that in the best way.

DJ Timmy (baller name right?) basically spins every song you used to rage or grind to from the early 90′s, but also plays the newest Miley, Ke$ha, or Ace Hood tracks on the radio/internet.  In between all of that, he’ll play crowd favorites, reggae, and whatever Beyonce song is #1 on the charts.  His library is as expansive as your imagination.  So the Dj gets a thumbs up.

The venue itself is nothing you would ever expect to enjoy from aesthetic perspective.  The picture at the top of this article is a fairly recent photo of the bar’s exterior.  Nothing fancy.  The inside doesn’t look much different.  If you ever went to a 10th birthday party in a bowling alley, you’ve been to Call Box.  It’s the most un-fancy bar in Brooklyn, and that is part of it’s charm.  Outside of Timmy’s parties, Call Box serves the Brooklyn natives – the people who were here before Brooklyn became the 20-something Mecca it is now.  It’s divey without trying to be and the drinks are very cheap.  I wouldn’t come here for their cocktail selection, but you can do much worse than a bucket of 6 domestic bottles for $20.

The only flaw with Timmy’s Party at Call Box Lounge is that it’s hard to anticipate when the next dance party will be held.  I drunkenly got his number one night, just so that I could be better kept in the loop of when the next party will be.  The safe guess tho is to expect a party every 3-4 weeks on a Friday or Saturday night.  This Saturday (Oct. 5th), Timmy will be at Call Box doing what he does so well and I highly suggest you make it out.   He usually begins DJ-ing around 10pm, but if you are new to his parties or Call Box, do not show up before 11:30pm.  You will ask yourself why you decided to come there.  It’s not crowded.  No one else is there, and the music isn’t really on fire yet.  If you want to assure yourself a great time, come at 11:30-Midnight and you’ll see the turn.  Stick around for a few hours and you’ll understand why I love these nights.  The last thing I’ll say about Timmy’s Party is that if you get drunk hungry, which I am often wont to do, go to the McDonalds across the street.  THEY LET YOU WALK THROUGH THE DRIVE-THROUGH.

I hope to see some new faces at Call Box Lounge this Saturday night.  It’s guaranteed to be a good time.

The post Call Box Lounge. Timmy’s Party. Always Fun. appeared first on Rookerville.

No one wants to go down with the ship.  I just finished watching Dexter and my TV life is worse for it.  That being said I am extremely careful with the shows I sample now.  I watch them, I follow their ratings, and I even check to see how many/what hashtags a show can generate.  This is all in an effort to never go down with the ship again.  The following series of articles is designed to give you an idea of the new broadcast shows I’m sampling in hopes they stick around for a few years. 

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Lets start right out by saying that Brooklyn Nine-Nine is funny.  It’s probably the best out of a weak network crop of comedies this fall.  The premise is not all that new (funny cops), but the cast is excellent.  Coming from the creators of Parks and Recreation, Dan Goor and Michael Schur, the show was already going to have a long leash for me.  If you look back on Parks’ first season, it was pretty terrible.  It had a great cast, but it wasn’t very funny.  It takes time to build that proper ensemble chemistry.  To that end, I think BKNN has already figured out a great deal of it’s issues.  I’d like to see it focus on the minutae of work as an officer and less so on the actual cases themselves.  Murders aren’t too funny, so hopefully it keeps that balance in check.

The chief concern of the writers of BKNN should be Andy Samberg’s character, Jake Peralta.  In the pilot, while everyone else at least SEEMED like they could work in a Brooklyn police precinct, Andy’s character, didn’t look like he had any business working anywhere.  He was drawn as far too silly to ever be a legitimate cop.  In subsequent episodes, it looks like they’ve taken some strides to dial his goofiness down, but that’s the big tonal issue.  Joe Lo Truglio, Chelsea Perretti, and Terry Crews, should really shine in a format like this.  The only complaint I would have to say is it’s lead-in, Dads.  We all know Dads is awful, but a bad lead-in can kill a quality show.  Community has been the worst lead-in possible for most of Parks and Rec’s life, so if they really want Brooklyn to succeed, they should drop it behind New Girl.

All that being said, if you want to watch a funny show, that has all the potential in the world to get even better, you should check out Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The post Show With Promise Alert: Brooklyn Nine-Nine appeared first on Rookerville.

AHHH I cant believe Jordan and Marlon capsized!  Oh well, at least they didn’t have to go to NIGHTMARE ISLAND (TJ you crazy!). The structure of this final challenge, I must say I’m not that impressed with.  I like that they had more mental stuff in it, but it just seems kinda boring and repetitive.  It seemed more like a few regular challenges strung together.  None of the epic-ness I’ve been known to fear/love, but in the end, the “good guys?” won, so theres that.  CT & Wes and Paula & Emily really were the stronest teams all season.

The State of The Challengers

The WINNERS!

1.  Paula & Emily 

Russ:  They totally deserved this.

Michelle: Paula & Emily: the most athletic team won, which is nice.  Paula is way too comfortable drinking pickled milk, which is worrisome.

2. CT & Wes

Russ: CT vomited out his actual soul.  Holy shit. But they did it.  I’m actually proud of CT like I know him.

Michelle: CT is no longer the Dan Marino of the challenge and Wes can go buy his 37th company.  Good news all around!

GOODBYE YOU LOSERS!

1. Jordan & Marlon 

Russ: FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK

Michelle: I was rooting for you guys, but you did amazing for Rookies! Come back and win next year!  Now Marlon, go reward yourself for your hard work with a big ole dong on the hottest guy you see!

2. Johnny & Frank

Russ:  You guys just didn’t have it. Later.

Michelle: Too bad Frank didn’t win enough money to get his own place, cause Jonna is still going to be royally pissed at him for back stabbing her. Hope they don’t live in a railroad!

3. Cooke & Cara Maria

Russ:  Cooke, I respect you, but Cara Maria, too bad there weren’t any freaky sexy sex challenges, you freaky sex skank.

Michelle: It would have been poetic to see these two win after being voted in to the jungle every second of their lives.  Plus, I’m still salty over Diem saying they don’t deserve to be on the challenge….if they hadn’t gone into elimination and won every time, Diem’s ass would have been eliminated way sooner.  Same for the rest of the chicks. Anywhoo, second place is still great and they should be treated with more respect next challenge, so its still good news for these two.

So there you have it.  It was a great season, with a lackluster finale, but the seeds have been planted for an even better challenge the next time around.  Hopefully we get a great challenge next spring (or whenever it comes back).

The post The State of the Challenge Rivals II: FINAL WEEK! appeared first on Rookerville.

We’re getting close to the end and the heat is on.  Diem and Aneesa fittingly went home, and the house was granted a drama reprieve before the final challenge.  As we’ve seen the last few seasons, the show becomes very different when the final challenge comes up.  Basically all that drama and bullshit (that we love) doesn’t matter anymore.  The only thing that matters is conquering the challenge itself.  The last few have pushed the envelope of difficulty and safety, and it appears as though TJ wouldn’t have it any other way this time around.  We only got to see the first part of the challenge, so we’ll have to wait to see who REALLY steps up. Also, two teams will be going home before seeing the full challenge.  That being said…

The State of The Challengers

The Finalists

1.  Paula & Emily 

Russ:  Saying that anyone deserves anything on a show about adult babies who drink, fight, fuck, and lie to each other for my enjoyment, seems kinda weird.  That being said, these broads deserve to win as much as anyone with no discernable real life skills deserves to win anything.

Michelle:

2. CT & Wes

Russ: CT had maybe one of the most prescient analogies last week.  He compared himself to Dan Marino, arguably the best QB to never win a superbowl.  I’m sure no one in the demo of The Challenge, got that reference, but I loved it.

Michelle: It’s hard to predict if these two will choke in the finals again (a la Wes in Rivals I and CT in Exes).  Considering all the crap they talked to Johnny all season, I sure hope not.

3. Cooke & Cara Maria

Russ: I can already hear the chants, “Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!”  Too bad I hate that movie.

Michelle: I love an underdog story as much as Cara Maria loves electric nipple tazers.  Translation: I love an underdog story A
LOT.  Keep it up!

4. Jordan & Marlon 

Russ: I want to see rookie champs! (even though neither of you are on my fantasy challenge team)

Michelle: Dear Lord, please don’t be the two who capsized.

5. Johnny & Frank

Russ: I hope your boat capsized.  Johnny doesn’t deserve (there goes that word again) to 3 peat.

Michelle: Dear Lord I hope it was you two who capsized.

GOODBYE YOU LOSERS!

1. Aneesa & Diem

Russ: Thank christ.  I’ve never soured faster on a team in my life.  Aneesa is too old to be on these challenges and Diem is fake as a mofucka, so I don’t like that either.  I’m glad they went home with Diem being the reason.  POOF. BE GONE.

Michelle: I sure hope Diem knows the Heimlich maneuver, because that girl is the biggest choke artist I’ve ever seen.

2. Camila & Jemmye

Russ: This ended up being my favorite ladies team, but lets face it, they dumb.  A puzzle so close to the beginning of the final challenge was all I needed to know to know these girls were done.

Michelle: Non surprising loss.  Glad we got that out of the way quickly so we can focus on the final two who have a shot at winning.

The post The State of The Challenge Rivals II: Week Eleven appeared first on Rookerville.

It’s the final ladies challenge so let the drama begin!  Cooke and Cara Maria winning was the best thing to happen for TV purposes.    Diem is a scraight up sore ass loser.  Watching her fall apart made me feel alive in every conceivable way. I’m so ready for this final challenge yo!  Johnny telling the cameraman to follow Diem is my favorite part of the season.  But alas, like blue-balls, this episode left me wanting more.  I hate two-parters, cause you get all the drama but none of the payoff.

The State of The Challengers

Front Runners 

1.  Paula & Emily 

Russ:  Of course the challenge that matters most is the challenge they don’t win.  Paula, crying ain’t a good look.  I wish Diem would go into remission…from The Challenge.

Michelle: No other team deserves to be in the final more.
Although watching them sweat it out with Marlon and Jordan was pretty
satisfying.

2. Johnny & Frank

Russ:  Johnny is manipulating Diem particularly cause he hates CT.  Love the gamesmanship, but you’re a real hater boi.

Michelle: Somehow Frank has crazied his way into another final.
I really would have loved to see these two sent home on their asses,
but they will help make the final challenge more interesting, as all
the guys teams are jacked up.

3. CT & Wes 

Russ:  CT doesn’t owe Diem jack shit.

Michelle: Well played, Tamburello. Well played.

4. Jordan & Marlon 

Russ: I love that Jordan and Marlon finally got the opportunity to be in the power position and have people grovel at their feet who fucked them over all season.  I hate Diem.

Michelle:  I really hope they can make Rookie history and win
the final.  They are the only team that doesn’t contain terrible
people, so it’d be nice to see them win.  Also, loved that little
power trip at the end of the ep.

Tough Competitors

1. Camila & Jemmye 

Russ: Diem is the worst.  Jemmye and Camila are the best betches in this house.

Michelle: I’m totally ambivalent about this team, except for my
desire to see them send Diem home and Jemmye to get some retribution
for everyone shit talking on her all season long.

2.  Aneesa & Diem 

Russ: Diem, shut your fucking face.  To say people didn’t deserve to make it, when they won EVERY single Jungle and the final challenge is horseshit.  I now hate you forever.  Aneesa, I feel bad you got stuck with this.  Also, you’re way too old for this house.

Michelle: Diem, you a) lost the challenge for your team by being
arrogant/not trusting your partner b) was a sore loser about it c)
campaigned to get your friends thrown in the jungle d) got your way
voting, but still threw a tantrum about it. e) got owned by “some girl
named Jemmye”. And after all of that, you’re STILL tryna act all
innocent. Russ was right, you are a frontin ass biotch.  Also, your
Paranoid Elimination Dress wasn’t even that cute.

Long Shots

1. Cooke & Cara Maria 

Russ:  It took me till the final challenge to want to see this team do anything.  They deserved a trip to the finals solely because they got SHAT on all season.  Nice job Cara Maria.  I hope everyone else destroys you.  Eat a big old D-iem.

Michelle:  LOVE this win.  I predict second place in the
final. Cause ain’t no one beating Paula and Emily.

GOODBYE YOU LOSERS!

1. I HATE WHEN EPISODES ARE TWO PARTERS!!!

The post The State of The Challenge Rivals II: Week Ten appeared first on Rookerville.

Thank god they didn’t let the last men’s challenge be some pu$$y shit.  The mens final challenge kinda went the way I expected.  The combo of CT and Wes are getting it going now, so they are the team to beat going into the finals.  Johnny and Frank have made it to the finals as well.  And now the claws on the mens end are comin out! I love that all that competitive bullshit is coming to a head.  The final mens teams are exactly who they should have been.

The State of The Challengers

Front Runners 

1.  Paula & Emily 

Russ: They kinda deserve to make it to the final women’s challenge with control of what happens.

Michelle: My prediction for the girl’s winner.  If they don’t beat Diem and Aneesa, you just might see a grown woman throw a temper tantrum.  The grown woman throwing the tantrum will be me, not Paula or Emily.

2. Johnny & Frank

Russ:  Johnny playing the stand-in role for Frankie boy this week? Love the change of pace.

Michelle: I can’t say I hate seeing Johnny wimp out at this challenge and finally get called out on it. Unfortunately, his record does beat both CT and Wes’ as far as final challenges go, so the old man might get it together for the final.

3. CT & Wes 

Russ: CT and Wes just gelled.  That’s a problem. That’s a real problem for everyone.

Michelle: Wes owns a monster truck and 34 businesses!! I’m too impressed to say anything more.

4. Jordan & Marlon 

Russ: I have a bias towards this team cause I think they are legitimately aweseome.

Michelle:

Tough Competitors

1. Camila & Jemmye 

Russ: I’m disappointed in these guys this week.  Camila’s been rising on my list as of late, so it’s sad to see her cool off.  And also Jemmye’s one of the hottest girls in the house.  I expect more.

Michelle: Just get out of here, crazies.  We all know you would be a mess in the final, with Camila screaming the whole way, so just end it this week please. Kthanks.

2.  Aneesa & Diem 

Russ:  Is it still appropriate to use the term “Frontin’?” Cause that’s all Diem seems to want be doin’ yo. Frontin’ ass biotch.

Michelle: Diem, we all know you just like the attention from CT. Granted, who wouldn’t?  But don’t get carried away here. If you’re as serious about the game as you claim, quit chasing boys (aka hulking men) and trick Aneesa into doing some more laps before the challenge tonight.

Long Shots

1. Cooke & Cara Maria 

Russ: Cara Maria doesn’t like pads.  She’s more of a whips and chains kinda gal, so that’s why she was terrrrrible.

Michelle: I’m hoping these two can kill it in the final cause I’ve grown to like Cook, and winning will ensure Cara Maria comes back for the next 84 challenges, which will drive everyone crazy.

GOODBYE YOU LOSERS!

1. Preston & Knight 

Russ:  Preston spoke this week!  Preston also hit someone? BALLer .  Knight go fuck yourself. Later jerk(s).

Michelle: you guys should be proud. The fact that you made it this far is an accomplishment. “Accomplishment” and “fluke” mean the same thing, right?

The post The Challenge Rivals II: Week Nine Recap appeared first on Rookerville.