Seinfeld Returns

Seinfeld is coming back to NBC. No, not the classic sitcom (still considered, by me, to be the best sitcom of all-time), but Jerry Seinfeld himself in a new reality series. Here's the idea for the show:

The comedian's project is tentatively called "The Marriage Ref" and features celebrities, comedians and athletes who will judge couples in the midst of marital disputes while recommending various strategies to resolve their problems.

Cowherd & Gervais

Two stories that illustrate the contemporary conviction that faith & reason are enemies

1. I was listening to Colin Cowherd's sports-talk radio show yesterday morning. There was a survey asking people if they'd rather have a Starbucks or a McDonalds in their neighborhood. A good portion of people said they'd prefer to have a McDonalds. Cowherd suggested that people answering 'McDonalds' simply didn't understand the question. If the question were 'Where would you rather get a snack,' McDonalds would be a fine answer, he said. But if the question is which one you'd rather have in your neighborhood, it HAS to be Starbucks! Why? Because if there's a Starbucks in your neighborhood it means you live in a richer, smarter, more reasonable place. In contrast, if you live near a Mcdonalds you live in a cheaper, dumber, more religious place. Reasonable intellectuals were contrasted with religious zealots.

2. Later in the evening I was watching The Daily Show and Jon Stewart was interviewing Ricky Gervais. Gervais was commenting about his 'moron' friend who actually believes the story of Noah's Ark. He tried to inform his friend that there are 4 million species, but his friend just responded that the ark was really big. So, once again, it's the reasonable vs. the religious. Now, whether you think the Noah's ark story is fact of fiction doesn't really matter, in this case, since it has been scientifically demonstrated that, if it is a true story, only 16 thousand different 'kinds' of animals would be necessary and it has been reasonably shown that the ark had plenty of room for that number of animals.

Since the enlightenment, many have been trying to put faith & reason at odds with each other. It's hard to make it through a half hour of media, these days, without hearing attempts to re-enforce this principle. But it's simply a modern myth. Christianity (the 'religion' being targeted in both of these illustrations) is based on historical realities, the testimony of skeptical disciples, and argumentation. Faith, Biblically speaking, is not a blind leap against reason, but a step of obedience because of reason.

Phoenix on Letterman

My mom told me about this odd interview of Joaquin Phoenix by David Letterman.

Hogan's Heroes

In a couple of minutes, I'll be watching Hogan's Heroes. It's one of Katie's favorite shows. I had never seen it before. But based on the fact that I don't really like Mash very much, I had assumed that I wouldn't like it at all. I was wrong. I find it very relaxing, funny & clever. All the characters are distinct and worthwhile. I'd have to say that, along with Dick Van Dyke, it is one of my favorite 'old' shows.

Alone Again

My wife has left me. She will be at snow camp this weekend with the teens. But in the mean-time I will post my very first marriage principle. It's simple & obvious, but hey, I've been married for less than 2 months. I envision more marriage principles to come in the future:

Marriage Principle #1
You do not move FROM friendship to dating to engagement to marriage. You simply ADD the latter to the former. A healthy marriage is one in which the married couple is still actively engaged, dating & friendly.

This principle also applies to Christianity. In the stages of grace, we don't move FROM prevenient to convicting to justifying to sanctifying. We simply ADD the latter to the former. A healthy Christian is one who is still confessing sins, experiencing conviction, and being made aware of God's reality.

Tetris Party

I encourage everyone with a Wii to buy "Tetris Party" (downloadable on Wii-Ware for $12, I think). It's really fun. It has, of course, classic tetris, but also contains lots of little twists and mini-games that could prove enjoyably addictive.

Matthew McConaughey

I tend to like Matthew McConaughey movies. I find a lot of his stuff is right on the edge between 'average' and 'good.' Nevertheless, I give him a total of 7 points. And I haven't even seen "We are Marshall" which I hear is quite good. (Here's all the stats)

Great
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Good
A Time to Kill
EdTv
The Wedding Planner
Failure to Launch
Average
Fools Gold
Sahara
Contact
Frailty
Angels in the Outfield
Bad

CURRENT TOTAL: 7 POINTS

After Dentist

Me on Wii (Idol Style)

I didn't realize Katie was taping me

Morgan Freeman

I found it difficult to rank Morgan Freeman within my system b/c he's seldom a lead character. I gave him 3 pts each for being the among the leads in 2 of my favorite all-time movies. His role in some of the 'good' movies is sometimes quite minor. In the end, he's among the leaders.

Great
Shawshank Redemption
Se7en
Good
Glory
Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
Bruce Almighty
Evan Almighty
The Dark Knight
Average
Million Dollar Baby
Deep Impact
Sum of All Fears
Levity
Batman Begins
Bad

Current Total: 11 points

Actors Updated

A Great Movie earns you 3 points
A Good Movie earns you 1 point
An Average Movie counts for nothing
A Bad Movie costs you 2 points

Here are the results so far:
Tom Hanks: 17pts
Jim Carrey: 15pts
Morgan Freeman: 11 pts
Robin Williams: 11pts
Tom Cruise: 9pts
Denzel Washington: 8pts
Brad Pitt: 7pts
Harrison Ford: 7pts
Matthew McConaughey: 7 pts
Julia Roberts: 6 pts
Meg Ryan: 6 pts
Mel Gibson: 6pts
Arnold Schwarzenegger: 6pts
Kevin Spacey: 5 pts
Jena Malone: 5pts
Bruce Willis: 4 pts
Kevin Costner: 4 pts
Sandra Bullock: 4 pts
Tim Robbins: 3pts
Nicolas Cage: 2 pts
Adam Sandler: 1pt
Jack Black: 0pts
Drew Barrymore: 0pt
Natalie Portman: -1 pt
Matthew Perry: -3pts
Ed Harris (not yet ranked)

* no link ='s recently qualified

Rules I've Made Up Along The Way:
1. No animated/computerized/cartoon voice acting stuff counts 2. The actor must have played a major role in the movie, not some two minute cameo. 3. I had to have seen over 90% of the movie UNLESS it was so bad that I turned it off. 4. I must have seen them in at least seven movies that fit rules 1-3.

Near Qualifiers
Dustin Hoffman
Will Ferrell
Heath Ledger
Cameron Diaz

Super Bowl

Another very entertaining Super Bowl (though I missed much of the 1st & 3rd quarters). Here are my general thoughts...

2 exciting Super Bowls in a row
100 yard INT return the key play
Arizona actually outplayed them imo
Big Ben is awesome at buying time
Fitzgerald is the best WR in the NFL
It really is a game of inches