So I downloaded this morning's Carolla podcast, excited to start the new year. They usually just do repeats over the Holidays, and so I hadn't really listened in a couple weeks.
I also didn't like the "reason" given, which was, "She wasn't a good fit as a sidekick." She was a "good sidekick" not a "great sidekick".
She's been on the show for Four Years, Man!
Maybe it will come out that there was a contact negotiation that went bad, or maybe it will come out that Alison wanted more money. But there had to be something other than just "she wasn't a great fit".
She Was An Awesome Fit! I loved her. And specifically, I loved her on this show. I've listened to her solo podcast "AlisonRosenIsYourNewBestFriend", and while it's ok, it really depends on the guest.
What I liked, was Alison mixed in with Adam and Bald Bryan. She was great. She was a great "newsgirl". I loved her interactions with them, and the guests, particularly David Allen Grier.
Alison started off today's "Best Friend" by saying she is no longer working with Adam Carolla, and that she is taking her podcast with her, and she gets to start her "own pirate ship" or "love bus" or something like that.
I'm not giving up on Adam, I continue to listen to his show, at least for a while. I enjoy his show, and I enjoy his guests, and I'll continue to do so. But it's going to be tough to replace Alison Rosen. I already hated the new "news song" they played as an intro to the news. (And I didn't care for the replacement Gina Grad, but that's not her fault... I'll give her some time).
Adam, you have a tough job in front of you.
I don't like it. Just like a week ago I wrote that the Adam Carolla show was my favorite Comedy Podcast of the last year... and now, 1/3 of the dynamic is gone. And that sucks.
I'll miss you Alison, and I suppose I will check out your podcast more often now.
Alison Rosen from http://firstorderhistorians.files.wordpress.com/
This morning, I learned of the passing of Stuart Scott, and it made me sad.
And then I started reading the tweets, and the stories, and watched the video tributes, and I got really sad.
What really hit home to me, is he has a daughter who is a Freshman in college (just like me), and he's 49 years old (just 5 years older than I). His oldest daughter is named Taelor, mine is Taylor.
My favorite story I read today(it's mentioned in this piece), was involving ESPN personality Sage Steel, and how when she was moving her family out west from Bristol, CT (where ESPN is headquartered), and her young son was upset about the coming move, and leaving his best friend behind. And Stuart Scott told her "I got this", and took her son aside and talked to him for 20 minutes about when he had to move as a child.
I'm going to miss you Stuart Scott. I will always remember your highlights, your sayings (As cool as the other side of the pillow), the way you used to 'recognize' Carolina players in the pros (Antawn Jamison, Tar Heel), but mostly I will miss your energy, your perspective and the joy you brought to us all.
I think the best thing I saw all day, was Rich Eisen's Farewell on the NFL network. Eisen and Scott co-hosted the Midnight edition of Sportscenter for a few years, and they had a great chemistry.
It may not actually be the "best" comedy, but I laugh more at that show than any other current show. Which I think is the actual point of comedies, anyway. Honorable mention to "New Girl" and "The Mindy Project", which are both having strong seasons.
I love watching Nathan Felder give his radical business ideas to people. And the Dumb Starbucks episode is one of the greatest things I have ever seen.
There were a lot of good nominees in here, The Walking Dead has been particularly good, I enjoyed the last season of Game of Thrones, and I loved Fargo. But week in and week out, The Americans was as good as anything I've ever seen on the small screen. That's not hyperbole. It's a great, great, show.
I have to admit I was skeptical that any television series could recreate the Cohen Brothers "Universe" from the Motion Picture "Fargo". I was wrong. Fargo was great. Looking forward to the next season which is actually set in Sioux Falls.
Genius concept! Take a rock and roll band, have them spend a week in 8 different cities, and learn the lay of the musical landscape (so to speak), in each city, and then end the episode with the band writing and recording a new song in/about each city. I really, really, really, enjoyed this show. In addition, Dave Grohl is the coolest guy in Rock and Roll.
To be fair and honest here, it was also the only concert I saw this past year. But it was excellent. The Avett Brothers are a tremendous group, and immensely entertaining live.
I love Jack White. Which isn't surprising, because he is super talented. But what is maybe surprising is how little attention this album got. It's so good. And I'm not saying that because I'm some sort of a music snob. This new Jack White album is phenomenal, and more people should pay attention.
The story of the murder of Hae Min Lee in Baltimore Maryland, and the resulting case that ended in the arrest of Hae's boyfriend, Adnan, was absolutely fascinating. It's no small wonder that it became the top downloaded podcast of the year. Such an interesting subject matter, and done so well by Sarah Koenig and crew. I highly recommend!
I listen to alot of comedy podcasts. some of which would include: Jay Mohr's "Mohr Stories", Bill Burr's "Monday Morning Podcast", Chris Hardwick's "Nerdist", Greg Proop's "The Smartest Man in the World", and so on.
Bald Brian, Adman, and newsgirl Allison Rosen
The Carolla show is the best of the bunch for 2 reasons. 1. Adam does his show pretty much daily, like a radio show... whereas most of the previously mentioned are only done once a week. This helps you gain familiarity with the show, and the guests, and it just has more of a welcoming tone than some of the others. The Second reason is this: Carolla is great at this. He knows his strengths, he doesn't vary much in format, and he has his standard go to bits such as "Rotten Tomatoes Game", and "What Can't Adam Complain About". It's a great show for those of us who don't have a daily radio station to listen to.
I'm probably wussing out here, as the BS Report is the #1 podcast in downloads, but I'll tell you, it's #1 for a reason. I've tried others. I've listened to "The Lowe Post", I've tried "Short Corner", I've even downloaded some of the Dan Patrick Radio Show in podcast form.... none are as fulfilling as the BS Report. Which is weird for me to say, because Simmons is such a Boston Homer.
MOVIES
I didn't see too many movies this year, but here are a couple of my favorites (that probably everybody saw).
This was definitely the best of the super hero movies this year. I kept hearing great things about Captain America "Winter Soldier" and that wasn't that great. The X-Men movie was pretty good too, but Guardians of the Galaxy reigned supreme.
Like I said, I didn't see too many movies this year.
SPORTS AWARDS
Best Coach - Gary Patterson, TCU Horned Frogs, College Football
What Gary Patterson has done at TCU is not only phenomenal, but also quite unbelievable. Other coaches are bigger names, he does the most with less.
Best Team - The San Antonio Spurs - 2014 NBA World Champions
Any person who thinks anything else is simply wrong.
Best Athlete - LeBron James, Small Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers
In case you forgot, one player or man, basically held the entire NBA off season up this summer. No one decided to do anything until LeBron decided what he was doing. He basically approved of who was hired as coach, and was able to choose his own teammates for the most part. You don't wield this type of power unless you are a once in a generation talent. Unreal. I know he has more than his share of haters, but no one else could do this, in any other league.
