Bar Stool Sports Column

My Third Bar Stool Sports Column is up.

I'm trying to give just the permalinks so you don't get in trouble for looking at all the "traffic-driving content" at work.

Now What Channel is HBO Again?

I know The Wire is a great show...

I'm sure Rome is decent...

But both of HBO's flagship shows return on Sunday for abbreviated seasons (or continuations of last season as they're advertised but doesn't make sense)

The Sopranos and Entourage...

So why aren't I more excited???

In the case of Entourage, its simple. I know exactly what each episode is going to be. Vince is going to be admired by women, Eric will be whipped in his relationship while trying to make deals with people a foot taller than him, Turtle will continue his care free useless life, Drama will be mired in B roles, Ari will yell inappropriate comments. Some eye candy and interesting behind-the-scenes Hollywood storylines will make for an entertaining, if not plot-driven half hour of television.

For the Sopranos. I'm ready for it to end. This is still the "Sixth and Final Season" even though it started over a year ago. The whole show debuted in 1999 and at the time was an edgy view of mafia family life. Now it is a character driven artfest that can't help but disappoint bloodthirsty viewers. To try to predict how the series will end is useless and counterproductive. I find the more you try to predict The Sopranos nowadays, the more you're disappointed.

A Michael Scott Joint: "Salary Negotiation"

I've been slacking on the MSJs all season long but vow to do one from now until the Season Finale in May. In hyping the return of new episodes, NBC vigorously promoted the show on the internet including this video that will update you better than I could (SPOILER ALERT: If you don't want to know what happened on last night's episode of "The Office" do not scroll past the YouTube)...



As you saw, Roy attempted to attack Jim after finding out he kissed Pam at the end of last season. What happened next was a surprise but probably shouldn't have been. He was pepper-sprayed by Dwight and later fired. The firing and the merger of the Stamford and Scranton branches has caused warehouse worker Daryl to ask for a raise. Michael prepares himself for this salary negotiation by researching Wikipedia, the "Best Thing Ever". However in the midst of his negotiations with Daryl, Michael realizes that he needs to do some salary negotiating of his own. Luckily it will be with his boss/lover Jan.

The buzz around the office is still about Roy's attempted attack. Jim realizes he owes Dwight. Karen is disturbed that Jim was part of a fight that had to do with another woman. Angela just wants to hear about Dwight's rescue because it gets her hot. So hot she makes out with Dwight in the middle of the office. Jim walks in on this and realizes the best way to pay Dwight back is to not tell anyone.

Because of Michael and Jan's situation Michael has to bring along his hated HR Representative Toby to New York for the negotiation. Michael, Toby, and Daryl drive to New York, during the drive Michael delivers another Chris Rock impression. The negotiations are complicated when Michael refuses to separate him and Jan's negotiation from their personal lives (threatening to refuse sex if he didn't get a raise). Jan gives him a 12% raise but makes him ask for 15 so that it doesn't look suspicious on the records.

Roy and Pam go out for closure coffee during which Roy asks Pam why she doesn't go out with Jim. Pam says it's because he has a girlfriend. The tables are now turned.

This show has become a dramedy. Enough attention is given to relationship nuances and backstory that it is still one of my favorite shows, just for an entirely different reason than the past two seasons. That said it is still good for one or two out loud laughs.

Next Week: Andy Bernard Returns...

Today's Bar Stool Sports Column

Is up with a look at this year's 2007 Draft Quarterbacks

Bar Stool Sports

I am pleased to announce that I have signed on to be a contributor to Boston-based Bar Stool Sports (be careful at work). Best described as a slightly more viral Boston version of Deadspin. I will be contributing NFL Draft Previews up until the day of the draft until moving on to more random columns up until football season.
The site offers me more exposure for my writing than this blog and a spot in a bi-weekly free newspaper circulated around Greater Boston. I don't foresee The Pizza Parlor being affected in anyway.

My First Column

The Golf Ball Dies...

The Golf Ball will not see another day...

Neither will Chelsea

UCLA lost to Florida 76-66, they were only getting 3 points. The Bruins kept the game close in the First Half by playing sound defense. Once Florida jumped out to a lead in the Second Half, they gave up, got into foul trouble and gave up too many follow-up buckets.

For all the hype this Final Four got, the games were no more in-doubt than last year. Ohio State pulled away from Georgetown shortly after the last TV Timeout.

This will be the first year the same two teams have played in the National Championship games in Football and Basketball. Florida will attempt to become the only team to hold National Titles in Football and Basketball in the same calendar year and my money's on them to do it, especially if they can get Greg Oden in foul trouble early like Georgetown did tonight.

I still cash my chips having won 200 bucks, in a pool that is as fun as its been lucrative for me the past two years.

Here's that picture of Chelsea again...