68th Edition - 12/15/06

• Blatant Self-Promotion

*Click here to read my interview with Paul Feig. He is the director of "Unaccompanied Minors," the creator of "Freaks and Geeks," and has directed multiple episodes of "The Office."

*Click here to read my interview with Will Smith. I shouldn't have to explain who this man is, but he's the one who brought us such classic songs as "Nightmare on my Street," "My Buddy," and "Parent's Just Don't Understand." -- We didn't talk about any of those songs.

• NFL: Game of the Week

Eagles vs. Giants. The Eagles were left for dead a couple weeks ago when they lost Donavan McNabb for the season ... that hasn't happened yet. If they lose to the Giants, everyone can say, "I told you so." Because they will be dead. Both teams are 7-6 and one game behind the Cowboys.

*And don't forget -- there is football on Saturday night (Cowboys v. Falcons)

• NFL: Game of the Weak

Combined, the Packers and Lions are 7-19. But this game still matters ... to me. I have Roy Williams, Donald Driver, Ahman Green and Kevin Jones on my fantasy roster. Yes, I know Kevin Jones is out for the year.

• Bears: Bear down, Chicago Bears (not the song, more of a disappointment)

Tank Johnson, the Bears defensive tackle, was charged Thursday with not having a gun owner identification card after six firearms were found at his Gurnee (close to Six Flags) home. His neighbors had been complaining about Johnson and friends shooting guns in the backyard and also having six pit bulls in a cage. The police had been investigating Johnson for the past six weeks. Knowing the NFL, he will not miss any time this year for the incident.

• The Picks

j NCAA: (23-16-1)
billy z NCAA: (27-12-2)
j NFL: (21-23-3)
mike d NFL: (22-23-2)

The Bowl games are close to starting. Billy z and I will be picking them (but probably not all of them -- just enough to allow me a comeback.)

Until then, you're stuck with mike d and me dominating the NFL (of recent).

Mike d picked the 49ers over the Seahawks last night, I don't know the spread off hand, but it doesn't matter because the 49ers won outright. So he is sitting at 1-0 already. Look for mike d's two other picks later today in the comments.

j NFL:
Eagles +5 over Giants
Rams +2 over Raiders
Buccaneers and Bears over 34 total points

• Stuff

Oh, a soap box, give me a second to get up on this ... I can't stand that Meryl Streep was nominated for Lead Actress instead of Supporting Actress. It just doesn't make sense. I sat through "The Devil Wears Prada" (it was fine, for what it was) and at no point did I think I was on Streep's journey. It was clearly Anne Hathaway's journey. The film was about her, and her life, about her job and about the people in her life. One of those people became Streep.
This all started (for me) when Anthony Hopkins won Best Actor for Silence of the Lambs. With less than 16 minutes on screen, Hopkins was given the "Lead Actor" nomination. It's ridiculous. He was a supporting character (and should have won for that). It doesn't matter if his role was cool, crucial, or the best male role, he wasn't the lead. All of this is determined by the studios that make the films. It shouldn't be. It should be up to a nomination committee. And I formally announce my candidacy for this position. Vote for j.

Quick Movie Review:
"The Pursuit of Happyness"
Totally worth seeing. Both Will Smith and his son Jaden give great performances. The movie's goal is to actually put you through the hell that Chris Gardener went through in real life. It does.
B+

Here's some Christmas movie trivia to get you through the weekend. Not that easy. Click here - I expect John and Kenzie to post their scores in the comments section. I will also.

If you like year-end lists, here is a list of those lists. This shall waste the rest of my morning. Click here

Dan Marino loses it on the HBO's "Inside the NFL" - Click here to watch the video

"Heroes" has comic books. Click here to read

And finally, whether you watch "30 Rock" or not, you would be stupid not to take advantage of sending your friends a message from Alec Baldwin. It's personalized, and it's fantastic. Click here for the link