New Home For Arena Football?

Plans were announced on Monday for a new Arena Football league called Arena Football 1, comprised of former Arena Football League and AF2 clubs, to begin play next year.

Reverend John "Bootsie" Wilson, R.I.P.

Reverend John "Bootsie" Wilson, the last surviving member of the Philadelphia-based R&B vocal group The Silhouettes (of "Get A Job" fame), passed away last Monday at his Spartanburg, South Carolina home at age 75.

He joined the group in 1961 (three years after they recorded their only major hit) after the departure of the group's original lead singer.

The Philadelphia-born Reverend Wilson moved to South Carolina in 1972 and became a minister.

Brett Favre Sinks Niners Again

At Minneapolis:

Brett Favre threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Greg Lewis with two seconds (and no timeouts) remaining as the Minnesota Vikings (3-0) upended the visiting San Francisco 49ers (2-1) 27-24 in NFL action on Sunday.

Ducks Back In Media And Coaches Polls

The Oregon Ducks are ranked #16 in this week's Associated Press poll and #25 in the USA Today/Coaches rankings.

No support for Oregon State in either poll.

Beavers Drop Another Conference Opener

At Corvallis, Oregon:

Quarterback Nick Foles threw for 254 yards in his first start as the Arizona Wildcats (3-1, 1-0) handed the Oregon State Beavers (2-2, 0-1)their sixth straight conference-opening defeat 37-32 on the road Saturday.

Ducks Demolish Bears In Conference Opener

At Eugene, Oregon:

Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli threw for 253 years and three touchdowns as the Oregon Ducks (3-1 overall, 1-0 in Pac-10 Conference play) ripped apart #6 ranked California (3-1, 0-1) 42-3 at home in their Pacific 10 Conference opener on Saturday.

Geelong Cats: Kings Of The Aussie Rules Mountain

At Melbourne, Australia:

The Geelong Cats defeated the St. Kilda Saints 12.8 (80 points) to 9.14 (68 points) to capture their second Australian Football League premiership in the last three years on Saturday.

In Australian Rules Football, a goal is worth six points, while a behind is worth one point. Geelong scored 12 goals and 8 behinds while St. Kilda scored 9 goals and 14 behinds.

Frank Gore Leads Niners To Win Over Seahawks In Home Opener

At San Francisco:

In Sunday's home opener, Frank Gore had runs of 79 and 80 yards---both for touchdowns---as the San Francisco 49ers (2-0) topped the visiting Seattle Seahawks (1-1) 23-10 to gain sole possession of first place in the NFC's Western Division. The Niners began their 2009 NFL campaign with two wins against teams from their own division.

Beaver Fall Out Of Coaches Poll

Oregon State dropped out of the USA Today/Coaches poll this week after having been ranked #24.

You can click on links to the Coaches and Media (AP) polls.

Bearcats Old Off Beavers

At Corvallis, Oregon:

Quarterback Tony Pike completed 31 of 49 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns as #17 (AP)/#21 (USAT/C) Cincinnati downed #24 (USAT/C) Oregon State 28-18 on Saturday.

NOTE: AP refers to the Associated Pres (media) poll and USAT/C refers to the USA Today/Coaches poll.

Ducks End Utes Winning Streak At 16

At Eugene, Oregon:

LaMichael James ran for 152 yards and John Boyett came up with a key interception as the Oregon Ducks (2-1) knocked off previously unbeaten #18 (AP Poll)/#16 (USA/Today Coaches Poll) Utah (2-1) 31-24 at home on Saturday, ending the Utes' nation-leading 16-game winning streak.

Champagne Music, Anyone?

In this clip from a 1959 ABC telecast of the Lawrence Welk Show, we see pianists Frank Scott, Larry Hooper, and Big Tiny Little, and organist Jerry Burke perform "Anything Goes." The Saturday shows were still entitled the Dodge Dancing Party.

As Timely As Tomorrow's Headlines

Here is a theatrical trailer for a Columbia Pictures 15-episode serial, The Monster and the Ape.



This serial was originally released in 1945. This promo was for the serial's re-release some years later.

Hey, Let's Go Out For A Pizza!

Here is what is believed to be the first national television ad for Pizza Hut, from 1965.





Maybe the poor feller should have eaten out instead of picking up his pizza, taking it home, and watching it devoured by folks other than himself.

More Pepsi Ads

Here are a couple of Pepsi-Cola ads that aired on the Faye Emerson Show that aired on CBS during 1950.






Miss Emerson later went on to become a panelist on I've Got A Secret (c.1953-57). Faye was married three times, her last marriage was to two-time Tonight Show bandleader Skitch Henderson. She appeared in quite a few movies during the 1940s before becoming a TV personality during that medium's early days.

Now A Word From Out Sponsor

Here's a television commercial for Pepsi-Cola that first aired in December, 1950.






Yes, kids, that's James Dean, making his first TV appearance, dropping coins into the piano/jukebox.

Niners Top Cardinals In Opener

At Glendale, Arizona:

Quarterback Shawn Hill threw a three-yard touchdown pass to running back Frank Gore with 7:26 remaining in regulation time, capping off a 15-play, 80-yard game-winning drive, as the San Francisco 49ers knocked off the Arizona Cardinals 20-16 on the road in the regular-season opener for both National Football League teams on Sunday.

Beavers In Coaches Poll

The Oregon State Beavers are ranked #24 in this week's coaches poll.

Ducks and Beavers Pick Up Two-Point Wins

Here are a couple of summaries from Saturday night:

At Eugene, Oregon:

Chip Kelly picked up his first win as Oregon head coach as the Ducks (1-1) held off visiting Purdue (1-1) 38-36.

At Las Vegas:

Justin Kahut, who missed an earlier field goal attempt and an extra point, kicked a 33-yard field goal with 7 seconds remaining to lift Oregon State (2-0) to a 23-21 road win over UNLV (1-1). The Beavers were paced by running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who picked up 169 yards rushing on 26 carries and ran for a touchdown. He also picked up 64 yards on 10 receptions.

Here It Is Folks...

The very first television commercial to air in Great Britain.





This is an advert for Gibbs SR Toothpaste which first aired on September 22, 1955.

How 'Bout Drivin' Away In This?

Here's a commercial (circa 1958) for the French-built Renault Dauphine.

Here's Something For A Man-Sized Thirst

Here's a commercial from many moons ago for Falstaff Beer.

Trailer For Another Republic Serial

Here's a trailer for the 1936 serial, Undersea Kingdom, which starred Ray "Crash" Corrigan.




This was Republic's second theatrical serial. It had 12 chapters.

Coming To A Theater Near You

Here's a trailer for a 1936 Republic serial, Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island.



This 14-chapter serial starred Ray Mala, whoever the hell he was.

Ducks Fall Out Of AP Top 25

That's what happens when your offense falls asleep on the Smurf Turf.

For You Folks In Melbourne....

Here's another old Australian TV ad, this time for Melbourne-based Home Pride Bread.

G'Day, Mate, Have A Coke

From 1960, here is one of the first Australian TV commercials for Coca- Cola.

Another Old Commercial---Uhhh, Advert----From Down Under

Here's an animated television commercial for British Petroleum that aired in Australia in 1960.

Happy 30th Birthday, ESPN!

On this date, 30 years ago, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly referred to as ESPN, went on the air. That's host Lee Leonard, running down the scheduled programming for that night, then introducing George Grande, who was getting set to anchor the inaugural edition of SportsCenter.

1950s Suburbia, British Style

Here it is, mates.

Another 1950s commercial that aired on the telly in Great Britain, this time for Kellogg's Corn Flakes.

Pip-Pip, Cheerio!

Here is a commercial---uh----advertisement that aired on British television in 1958 for Persil detergent.

Beavers Batter Vikes In Opener

In the regular-season opener for both teams, the Oregon State Beavers overpowered the visiting Portland State Vikings 34-7 on Saturday. Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 103 yards and a career-high three touchdowns for the Beavers, while brother James was on the receiving end of an 87-yard TD pass from quarterback Sean Canfield.

LeGarrette and Byron: Opinions

Here are some thoughts:

What LeGarrette Blount did night before last was outrageous, as he acted like a thug. As for Byron Hout, he was no angel, either. I don't know what the Boise State defensive end said to the now-suspended Oregon running back, but that, along with tapping Mr. Blount's shoulder pad certainly got ol' LeGarrette going.

Here are thoughts from Dennis Dodd and Gregg Doyel.

Sucker Puncher Finished As Duck

Well, buddy, this is what you get for punching an opposing player (even if provoked) and threaten to cause problems for the other team's home fans.

He may as well kiss his shot at an NFL career goodbye as well.

Ducks Fall At Boise State

At Boise, Idaho:

In the regular season opener for both teams, #14 ranked Boise State knocked off Oregon for the second straight year, beating the 16th-rated (AP poll) Ducks 19-8 at home Thursday night. Broncos' quarterback Kellen Moore complete 19 of 29 pass attempts for 197 yards and a touchdown. After the game, Ducks running back LaGarrette Blount, who earlier predicted an Oregon beatdown of the hosts, punched Broncos' defensive end Byron Hout and had to be restrained from fans heckling him.

Not exactly an auspicious debut for Ducks new head football coach Chip Kelly, who had been Oregon offensive coordinator for the past two years.

Ain't She Sweet

Here is Lawrence Welk's longtime organist-pianist Jerry Burke playing "Ain't She Sweet" on the Hammond electric organ as seen on a 1958 ABC telecast of Lawrence's other weekly network show, the Monday night Top Tunes and New Talent.