American Idol Steven Tyler Apologizes For Puck Up Not Young Girl Flirting

Steven Tyler, one of the two newest American Idol judges next to J-Lo (Jennifer Lopez), was forced to make an apology for something he said to a contestant. But no, it wasn't for any one of flirtatious comments the rocker's made to underaged girls, but for a play on words.

Last week Tyler responded to a man named Jack Muck as he walked on to the stage for his audition in Austin, Texas. It was, er, gauche:

Tyler" "You know what Muck rhymes with, don't you?"

Jack Muck: "Duck."

Tyler: "Read my lips."

And that was it.

But with all of that, observers who bothered to chime in on the American Idol Forum didn't seem to be bothered by the incident or Tyler. Here's some of the posts:

I really did not know who Steven Tyler was, but definetely know his songs. Since watching this seasons Idol, I think he is the most funniest person! The comments he makes to the contestants are hillarious and it makes me laugh every time. He also seems sensitive to the contestants feeling as well which is a very nice side to him. Steven you definetely make a this years AI more enjoyable to watch!

I too am so impressed by the new feel of the show with ST and JLO. The show seems to send a much more positive message overall. Less making fun of bad contestants and more constructive criticism is a good thing and a very positive message to be sending out to the world! Thanks AI for making me proud. I like JLO a lot and love that she is tough and fair, but not mean. I am most surprised by Steven Tyler...my previous impression was a druggy Rock Star that makes nice music...now I think I'm in love! ST shows his great appreciation of music (even not so great music sometimes), offers positive criticism, shows his fun and goofy side, and what a sensitive and kind human being he is. You can't fake that kind of sincerity. I even googled him and found that he has been clean for many years! Congratulations ST on that huge accomplishment! I am once again a raving fan and hope ST is there for the duration! Still love you too, Randy!

Kudos AI!

From a 53 year old fan and mother of 4 in Tampa, Florida

I am so happy with the changes with American idol I really feel they did a great job replacing Simon with Steve Tyler and Jennifer taking the place of the other 3 which were Paula, Kara, and Ellen. Ellen had no business being there to begin with Paula always reminded me that she was on some kind of downers and Kara was boring... But I like Jenn better then the other 3 and Steve Tyler has got it. I love when I watch him and he closes his eyes to listen to them sing.... And the other night with Chris Medina really got to me I cried with his story and I cried when they all wanted to meet his girlfriend and I loved when Steve said he sings good because he sings to you everynight and when he hugged and kissed her I was totally in tears.. I feel like even Randy is happier now and I feel they really connect real well together... So losing Simon was actually a good thing and the other ladies also good..... So the Panel has my VOTE this season.....

Details aside, it's clear Steven Tyler's providing a new buzz-generating energy to American Idol. The question is where will it go, and will the producers like where it's going?

Stay tuned.

Flip Video And Cisco Give Zennie A Flip Video Ultra HD

Regular viewers of my video blog posts on YouTube and Blip.tv know that I've used Flip Video Camcorders since 2009. In fact, about 60 percent of my video stock consists of segments made with Flip products. Moreover, some of my greatest videos, like the Fight With A Bouncer On Fillmore (not me, of course), were made with Flips, as well as my TV show, The Blog Report With Zennie62.

(In fact, for that video I just stood on the curb and held the camera up without saying a word. You'd think someone would have noticed.)

And even California Governor and former Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown came into my Flip Video's focus on the night of his election victory, and after Arnie Fields told me of his "Jerry-centric" run for Mayor of Oakland.

Reportedly, Jerry saw it and could only think of how much he disliked Arnie's message, and why I'd interview him (Arnie was a candidate, case closed. Hilariously, nothing else mattered to him at the time.

Then there was the time in the limo with the cast from the horror movie Hatchet II (out on DVD now), with its creator Adam Green, and the incredibly lovely Danielle Harris. All of those videos were made with my Flip.

I could go on and on, but Flip Video and Cisco were kind enough to provide me with a new Flip Video Ultra HD. So, to return the good deed, I created this "commercial," which I hope they actually make into a commercial.

I even thought of a tag line: "Flip Video. Video-Blog everywhere! Video-blog anywhere!"

But what I like about Flip is it's ease of use and high-quality product.  I have other camcorders from Sony and a high-end Canon VIXIA HF10 HD, but the inexpensive Ultra HD is almost the match of the Canon, with the lack of a true telephoto lens and mic port the only difference maker.   That's not bad considering the $200 cost difference.

But the Flip is the camcorder for vlogging.  If you're going to video-blog, you need a Flip.

Stay tuned.

National Signing Day: Cal Ranks High, Seeks New Offensive Coach

Today is National Signing Day, and Cal Football's set to bring in an excellent recruiting class (Scout has it ranked #15), but before we get to the details there, some news that's still fresh: Cal Offensive Coordinator Andy Ludwig is gone. According to ESPN's Ted Miller on Jan 25th, Ludwig, who was (I see now unfairly) criticized in this space, told the San Diego Union Tribune that he would get a chance to install his own offense.

Here's Ludwig:

At Cal, I was an offensive coordinator with a coach who was also an offensive coordinator...I'm excited to get back to running my system. I have nothing but positive things to say about my time there and we'll be implementing a similar system to what we had at Cal, just with my signature on it.

Talk about dancing on the line, Coach Ludwig leaves open the question, to what degree was the Cal Offense his, versus Cal Head Coach Jeff Tedford's? The other issue would seem to be continuity, but now that Cal's gone through it's fifth OC in the Tedford Era, obviously the one constant is Jeff himself. Otherwise, Coach T would not change Offensive Coordinators so often and with such ease.

"HydroTech" has an interesting take on the Coach, Ludwig departure over at California Golden Blogs, but to keep this brief for now, I am not in agreement on the Cal Offense being "set." It needs a group of plays that are done and define it over the years. To me, it's not the best idea to have a play book that's a mix of "this or that" just to have it.

For example, the San Francisco 49ers Playbook under Bill Walsh started with one basic pass play that was the foundation of "The System:" It's called "22 Z-In." Here it is from The West Coach Offense Playbook:

 In Walsh's words...

This is a five-step drop pattern. The quarterback takes five big steps and a hitch step and throws on time. The receiver splits 12 to 14 yards. The flanker releases inside for 5 to 6 yards and then bursts hard to the outside foot of the cornerback. What he wants to do is to get that cornerback on his heels. Then he'll turn in about three steps and catch the pass 12 yards deep.

The fullback runs what we call a scat pattern. He doesn't have any pickup, and he releases to the outside. He never catches the ball more than 2 yards past the line of scrimmage, most often right at the line of scrimmage. If the backer blitzes, he looks for the ball early.
Our tight end picks off the near end backer. He'll put his head past that man's shoulder, slow down, and make contact. He bounces off it and goes to the far guard position, turns and faces the quarterback, and watches his eyes because he's the last outlet.

The quarterback throws the ball related to the sky safety. If the safety gives ground, he'll throw to the fullback. If the safety flattens out, we'll throw in behind him, in this case to the flanker. If it's man-to-man, the flanker runs a man-to-man pattern trying to beat the corner. If it's man-to-man, the safety will often chase the tight end, and there will be a good throwing lane with the backer coming out on the fullback.

When we throw to the fullback the ball should arrive to him a foot in front of his number. If the fullback has to reach, he will take his eyes off the ball, slow down or break stride, and probably get nothing out of it.

That describes what Walsh intends from that play, and, in one form or another, it is reflected in the thousands of passes designed in the entire playbook. But it serves as the intellectual and diagrammatical basis for "The System."  That's important because in order to have consistent quarterback play, regardless of who's at QB, you need to express a constant approach to the game that can be passed to player after player, and not just have a collection of plays.

Can Tedford make the that one passing play and approach has defined the Cal Offense over the years?  No.  Sadly, no.  And that's one reason for the up-and-down play at the QB position.  And that's likely to continue in the 2011 Season.   Nothing agains Coach Tedford, I'm just pointing to an area where improvement is needed.

More on National Signing Day in the next post...

Punxsutwawney Phil Says Early Spring; Chicago Weather Twitter Stream

Today's Groundhog's Day and the World Famous and lovable GroundHog Punxsutwawney Phil says it's going to be an early spring.

Tell that to Chicago.

From the looks of the Chicago Weather Twitter Stream below, Chicagoans are just trying to deal with a massive blizzard, right now, today.

The Great Chicago Blizzard 2011 caused the closing of Chicago schools for the first time this century and the Chicago Board of Trade has delayed its opening to 10 AM CST. Last night, Lake Shore Drive and Sheridan Avenue near Northwestern University were closed and still are today, with cars stranded along the way.

In all, thirty states have been gripped by the largest snow storms since the 50s and 60s, bringing "life-threatening" weather conditions. All you need to do to know this is visit that great connector Twitter and watch the tweet stream for Chicago Weather:




Stay tuned.

Come PArty with the FRO CREW for the Superbowl

Special Radio show visit for Dr. Football

Today @ 9am ET Dr.Football Will Visit with "the Peddler Hour" to talk SUPER BOWL, Football Collectables and other historic tidbits....Lots of Steeler and Packer talk as the show originates from Steeltown.

Listen Here:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thepeddlerhour

Lake Shore Drive In Chicago Closed, Lake Michigan With 24-Foot Swells

Chicago, this blogger's hometown, is in a snow-blizzard mess, and so much so that "Lake Shore Drive" is a Twitter Trending Topic for the first time.

According to tweets, people have been told to abandon their cars and walk to safety because of the unusually high waves. Lake Shore Drive is closed, as is Sheridan Blvd in Evanston next to Northwestern University.

Several photos on Twitpic (like this one by @callmerashad) show a surreal scene of darkness, haze, snow, and cars illuminated by street lights and headlights, and snow - a lot of snow.

All thanks to a giant winter storm system that's literally attacking an area from Chicago to Dallas, where in suburban Arlington, Texas, Super Bowl XVL will be played this Sunday. Already, Super Bowl events are harder to get to in an already spread-out Super Bowl plan, because of the snow and ice.

But that's nothing compared to Chicago.

Mayor Richard J. Daley said the storm is "of historic magnitude, the likes of which we have not seen in decades."

Or, since January 26, 1967, when Chicago was buried under up two 23 inches of snow in two days.

I should know.  I was six years old and in Chicago, where I was born.  At the time, we lived at 7427 Wentworth.   My parents owned a three story (what's called a "two-flat") building that still stands today in good condition.  But that month was one where you just didn't go outside at all.  Our giant backyard was buried in snow that came up to three feet in some areas.  It was a bright white sight.  You could not walk down the stairs to it without walking, er, wading,  right into the snow.    The best thing to do was to stay and home and watch the then-new Star Trek television show.

From the looks of these YouTube videos, watching Star Trek's a good idea now:

Some things and Other things-Our weekly (sometimes jaded and comical) look at news from the world of football-

By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Executive Editor-Football Reporters Online

Some interesting happenings this week from around the football world….


Sunday Night’s Pro Bowl, the NFL’s version of an All-star game was the most watched in 14 years….Really? Not that I wasn’t one of those watching at least part of it, but we all know the players were only playing at half speed…Maybe they should bring back the skills competition, or how about a rookie game? Packers Linebacker Clay Matthews pre game ritual is to douse his long (Blonde) mane in ice water just before he hits the field….nice, what if it freezes? Then he’s really the Iceman…..The NFL Management team, and reps from the NFLPA are finally meeting on Saturday down in Dallas, both to begin talks and to “accelerate” the pace of negotiations…what took you so long Guys? An NFLPA rep told me in E-mail this morning he expects it to be the busiest week in some time….and that’s the best news we have heard in some time…From New England Sports networks’ the Daily Blend: Tom Brady is among the most hated players in the NFL. Guess Pats fans are still in shock that another team from New York beat them in the post season….Speaking of that team from NY wearing Green & White…Rex Ryan was spotted In Hawaii at the Pro Bowl this past weekend without his sweater vest , but wearing a white Jets polo shirt and some Dog tags….Last time I checked he had no military service credit in his background…..Unless they are his Dad’s, or they filming a remake of my favorite movie from1970, Kelly’s Heroes….Maybe Rex is Playing (channeling) Carroll O’Connor’s General Colt character, Or is he Donald Sutherland’s “ODDBALl?”….I want to know who on the Jets Coaching staff is Playing Clint Eastwood’s Part….Hopefully not the recently “dismissed” Sal Alosi…..Today here in NY, they are getting ready to ship 7,000 Pizzas to the Afgan front thanks to UNO Grill…Beats mess hall food, even with the improvements in Army Food…”MRE’s Anyone?I donlt ever remember adding water to Pizza....As I write this, the Super Bowl Media day is going on. Rest assured Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has bought plenty of warm coats since we asked him that 5 Years ago at his NFL Draft Presser….Lots of players are concerned about the pace of the talks between the players and the owners…from Jets DB Antonio Cromartie to Steelers WR Hines Ward…..Speaking of the city of Dallas, that emporium of grilled meat products, we hear there are almost as many people worried about how much they will pay to park their cars for the game as they are about finding “suitable Gentleman’s Adult entertainment….” I remember the 12 months I spent stationed at Ft. Hood down near Waco, no shortage of available “dates” there, Girls just love men in uniforms…Speaking of the Army, If the Pentagon & The department of the Army follow suit like they did with Lt. Caleb Campbell, Lt. Ali Villineuva may make it back to Play Pro Football by 2013…now who wants to figure out what to do with a 6’ 10” Tight End….and this week we’ll close with the “Youngest Reporter” at the Super Bowl, 11 year old Braden Madden, of Sachse Texas is part of the credentialed media this week,..interviewing players and filing stories for the “Weekly Reader” which is part of the Reader Digest family....Good for him,…but I had to wait until I was 29 to get a SB credential,….does he have his FWAA Card yet??We'll cut him a break because he's 11, but we're going to send him a few "real" questions to ask.....

Mubarak Stays, Obama Wants Change Now, Tahrir Square Protestors Angry

The messages on Tahrir Square, originally uploaded by Floris Van Cauwelaert.

The Egyptian President Hosnie Mubarak's statement that he would not seek re-election and step down in seven months was not well-received by his people. And even before the evening speech, thousands if not millions took to the streets and to Tahrir Square to say in different ways, some direct, others harsh, still others vulgar, "get out."

The Guardian UK described it all this way :

Four generations, more than a million people (according to the army count at 2pm) are here. They are all doing what they have not been able to do for decades; each and every one is having their say in their own way and insisting on being counted. Their dominant demand, of course, is for Mubarak to step down.

President Barack Obama just gave a speech where he called for change "now," but was read by some observers as less than direct. The unfortunate fact is if Mubarak were to just walk away, the Egyptian Government would be in chaos, and no one knows what the next direction would be.

Would opposition leaders take control, and if they did, would they be moved aside by yet another political group we don't know about. Also, would that rapid transition come by bullet?

We don't know, and it's a sure bet President Obama does know. It's a good thing Obama doesn't have someone like CNN Analyst David Gergen as an advisor, because if Obama had listened to him, there would have been no speech at all, and the World would be calling for him to say something. Gergen's safely away from the White House, and its a good thing.

What seems to be happening is Obama's giving the protesters a green light to continue their work, and in a way giving a green light to a kind of orderly chaos. This is clearly from over, and there are indications it's just beginning.

How Did This Start? Economics, Youth, and Social Networks

Many of the great post-World War II social movements were started by people in their 20s. The one that comes to mind is the free speech movement of the 60s, which really wasn't confined to Berkeley. It was in Europe as well, and in something called The May Student Riots.

The The May Student Riots were, like today, a strike against French's traditional culture, and happened at a time of economic weakness, and threatened to totally skink President Charles de Gaulle's Administration. Also Egypt's median age is just 23, whereas President Mubarak is a defiant 82 years old.

On top of this, Egypt's people are poor. While the U.S. income inequality is actually worse than for Egypt, it's hard to make an argument that America's poor are worse off than Egypt's poor, and the per capita income there is just under $6,500, where it's about $47,000 in the U.S..

On top of all of that, add something France in the 60s didn't have: the Internet and mobile communications. They, in the form of smartphones, social networks, blogs, and microblogging sites, have served as the modern foundation for the planning of dissent. What was too expensive to do 40 years ago, having a printing press and a way to send out papers, is now surpassed by a free and easy way to communicate ideas within seconds.

Plus, World wide media like CNN and the BBC communicate Western ideas of freedom, something particularly annoying to hardline old timers in the Mid East.

The resultant impact, what the SF Bay Area Community refers to as "disruptive," has gradually taken down all forms of old approaches in World society: newspapers, media, the very way we work, and now governments.

We're in the middle of a time that's without precedent in World History. The World Communication System has tied together what Bob Klein (who now owns Oakland's Olivetto Restaurant), called The Global Teenager when he was affiliated with the Global Business Network in the 80s.

Klein explained to me then that there were basic cultural values that bound teenagers and young adults together then. It's fair to say that such is still true today, but accelerated by digital technology and World wide media.

Because of that, the process is organic, elegant, and powerful.

That is fueling a World wide desire to dismantle tyrannical governments, and no more is this currently so than in the Mid East.

The website MidEastYouth.com asks if the protests in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen are being done by "agents of the West," and then answers the question with a large dose of sarcasm. In a blog post called "Will the Tunisian scenario be repeated in Egypt?" Bedlam Beggar of Tunisia says:

Tunisia’s revolution against Ben Ali’s iron-fisted regime is the proof that repression of the masses and attempts to crack down nation-wide demonstrations using tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition result in escalation. Egypt is witnessing a similar scenario these days. Change from below seems imminent once again and the potentate risks to be deposed. Indeed, despite the oppressive measures taken by the Egyptian government, thousands are expected to join street protests scheduled after Friday prayer today.

He goes on to explain that "Facebook did not start the uprising. It only helped rally people. Social networking and video-sharing websites are now used to inform the international community about what is happening in Egypt. Trying to put an end to new media coverage is a clear indication that the regime wants to cut people off the outside world. Cybercitizens’ role proved bigger than professional journalists’ in such revolutions."

And because of that, and due to organizations like The Social Media Cafe In Cairo, Obama's speech, so terribly misread by CNN's Gergen, may have struck a match that kept the protests going on, perhaps violently. This AP video shows a man being killed by a sniper in Egypt's North Sinai as he was fleeing...



If we see more of this, Egypt's "Days of Rage" will not only continue, but spill over to other parts of the Mid East.

Obama knew what he was doing. He was giving protestors room to grow, and to take out Mubarak on their own. But, he knows and said the process will not be a clean one.

Stay tuned.

Snoop Dogg At Twitter Headquarters San Francisco

Snoop @Twitter, originally uploaded by @Twitter.

Continuing its tradition of featuring icons of American Pop Culture (Wil-I-Am, and Rainn Wilson) at its San Francisco headquarters, Twitter had legendary Hip Hop Rapper Snoop Dogg over for a visit last week.

It looks like Snoop Dogg's wearing a Dodger Blue jacket! and undoubtedly talking major smack against the San Francisco Giants. In San Francisco. At Twitter HQ? Naw, man.

Ok. It's on. The LA Dodgers are going down, Snoop. Forget it.

No word on if the Twitter staff said "And to the D - to the o - to the double G," but I'll let you know.

Mubarak isn't planning to go anywhere before the next election.

So, Mubarak won't stand for re-election? Hardly a surprise, and yet that's what he's offered, trying to spin the situation to show he's moving in the direction his people want...

The Egyptian President's statement makes it plain he's trying to save face and retain his power in the interim. It will be interesting to see how the world - and the people of Egypt - reacts to this attempt at saving face.

It was a carefully worded statement, clearly demonstrating his intent to retain influence in the transition to the next regime, saying he, "will die on the soil of Egypt."

I don't think the people gathered in Tahrir Square are satisfied. They seem more inclined to turn up the pressure.

Thomas Hayes is an entrepreneur, former Democratic Campaign Manager, strategist, journalist, and photographer who contributes regularly to a host of web sites on topics ranging from economics and politics to culture and community. You can follow him as @kabiu on twitter.

Super Bowl XVL Media Day Ines Sainz Tight Blue Dress Event

Ines Sainz showed up at Super Bowl Media Day at Cowboys Stadium with Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver Chad Johnson and caused "a stir" with the bright, cowboy blue and silver dress she's wearing (photo by @skjensen at Twitpic).

Ines Sainz is a walking media event.

Because of this, and appearing with Chad Johnson, who was Chad Ochocinco, and is now again Chad Johnson, and who Sainz has been hanging out with for a day now, "Ines Sainz" is a Twitter Trend as of this writing.

This is what Iness tweeted today, roughly translated:

The hope tonight in Actors will see all the coverage of @Ochocinco  and @inessainz01 in SB!

And..

@Ochocinco hello! That well be together in a half day! Great to share with you the half day!

And before that by three hours...

Arriving at the stadium of the Cattlemen for the average one day!! My special guest is @ochocinco! Goes to very to be amused and beneficial this I gave!

From the Twitter Tweets,  a few jealous screwed up folks make themselves known when the subject of Ines Sainz comes up.  A number of tweets of people saying they're "sick" of her, or words to that effect.

Get over it.  She's great looking and if that works for her, so what.  Stop the waambulance.   Moreover, the tweets are too much in the way of women-hating.   If she wants to comes in that dress, great, I say.   Let Ines, be Ines.  A mature man can handle it.

I say, a mature man.

If many media-types knew what they were doing, there would be a number of outlets trying to hire Ines for Social Media assignments, instead of complaining about her and what she does.

Oh, and their pocketbooks.