Pop Culture Chronicles

For all you basketball fans such as myself, I bet some of your fondest memories of first playing basketball was on the playground. It could have been with the kids you grew up with in the neighborhood, afterschool, or during the weekend. Also, you would see adults who where known as urban legends, with their signature shots and crossovers. ESPN recently published an article about how playground basketball courts are becoming extinct here in the US and factors such as high-tech indoor gyms and AAU has taken over and gained the attention of America's youth. I believe that kids should be outside and play on those playgrounds because it builds character and a public park for everyone to use. Baskteball unites us all, especially in the outdoors. Check out the article here: http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11216972/playground-basketball-dying?ex_cid=sportscenterFB

On NBC's Last Comic standing on Thursday night, the group of aspiring comedians were narrowed down to 6. Those comedians were Nikki Carr, Karlous Miller, Rod-Man , Loughlin Patterson , Rocky LePort and Joe Mackey.  For the final challenge before the final showdown, the comedians had to conduct a roast. Not only a roast , but a roast on comedic legend., Gilbert Godfrey. We all know the annoying and iconic voice of Gilbert Godfrey and his work over the last 4 decades in showbuisness. Therefore, the comedians had alot to work on. During the roast, the two comedians that had the most laughs were Loughlin  Patterson and Nikki Carr. Nikki Carr ended up winning the challenge and stealing the show with unheard of material, such  as " Gilbert Godfrey, you are so annoying , that my deaf grandmother turns off the closed-captioning when she watches you" . That coupled with other hilarious jokes, made Niikki advance into the Finals and compete for the crown of the last comic standing

Yesterday, aired the newest episode of the sports-documentary series, Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel on HBO.  The topics included the 2022 World Cup and Qatar citizens and non-citizens working in extreme conditions , labor camps to complete construction for the World Cup. In addition, the segment highlights the struggles Qatar will face and the unethical issues it faces as a nation. In addition, the other segments include the future of golf, as Bryant Gumbel interviews legendary golfer, Jack Nicklaus and the financial woes of professional golf, and the possible extinction of the game in America.  And finally, the last segment entails wounded , amputees,  children ,  8-12 year olds are taken to a camp to motivate and inspire them despite their physical differences , hosted by the Wounded Warriors Foundation.  The episode is now available on HBO and I highly recommend that everyone watches it. Check your local cable listings , or watch it on  http://www.hbo.com/real-sports-with-bryant-gu

The 2014 ESPYS was hosted by rapper/entertainer Drake. The Canadian Sensation stole the show and had the audience laughing the entire night. Drake's major skits were "Manny Pacquiao' Sings Let it Go" , " Blake vs. Drake", which was a parody showdown and role reversal between Los Angeles Clippers Star Blake Griffin and Drake himself. Chris Brown made an unexpected appearance in the skit and made fun of himself.  In additon, special guests included Brian McKnight and Drake performing the parody song, " Side Pieces. In addition to Drake's comedic skills, there were some major awards to be handed out and unforgettable speeches by Michael Sam , who won the Arthur Ashe Courage Award , for being the first-openly gay NFL player . In addition, ESPN anchor, Stuart Scott , winning the Jimmy V award for his ongoing battle with cancer , after being diagnosed in 2007. Here are some of the highlights of the ESPYS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rydEFV6pgEM

Calvin and Hobbes is one of my favorite comics . The legendary cartoonist , Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin and Hobbes debuted his comic in 1985 and reached stardom over night. The reason why Calvin and Hobbes was so successful , is because it was simple, the dialogue was witty and satirical and taken from the perspective of a 6yr old boy and his pet stuffed tiger. The documentary  was shot and narrated by Joel Allen Schroeder and interviewed celebrities such as Seth Green and  modern cartoonists that have been heavily influenced by Watterson.  The film address the success of Calvin and Hobbes and its impact on art, popular culture and  Bill Watterson's vision for the comic, and it not being too commercialized. Overall, I highly recommend this film for all you Calvin and Hobbes fans such as myself, and fans of art in general. Rating : 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2222206/

In NBA news, Carmelo Anthony has decided to stay with the New York Knicks. Anthony and the Knicks reached an agreement on a 5 yr 129 million dollar contract. Melo said today that " Ride or Die, I'm with the Knicks." I hope that Anthony and new coach Derek Fisher can reboot the Knicks after a dismal performance last year. Also, with the guidance of legendary coach and Knicks president, Phil Jackson, they will attempt to build around Anthony and invest in the future with more draft picks and free agency in 2016. In Chicago, the Spaniard Pau Gasol has reached an agreement to play with the Bulls next season. Gasol narrowed his choices down to NBA Champs, The San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls.  Gasol makes a great adiditon for the Bulls with the offensive skill set and size. The Bulls will definitely be better next season , adding the return of PG Derek Rose.  Next, there is the fomer Bull and Cav, Luol Deng, who has decided to take his talents to South Beach and join th

It looks like LeBron James has made his decision and decided that there is "no place like home" and decided to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. James broke the news today with Sports Illustrated and saying " I'm coming home. ", and his sentiments about leaving the Miami Heat and returning back to his hometown team and fans of Cleveland. "When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships . We won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasn't had that feeling in a long, long, time...My goal is to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what is most important to me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio." He told this in his interview with Sports Illustrated and also talked about the controversy with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, and 4 years ago, when James announced he was leaving the Cavaliers, to play for the Heat with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade  on live television and not disclosing this information to

Here is part 2 of the Missy Elliot story and check out this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUhJm5vri8o

For all you rap fans out there , I know when I say the name Missy Ellliot , you she is one the baddest female rappers in the game. But what has happened to her? The last thing I remember her doing is a feature on J. Cole's track, Nobody's Perfect in 2012. But she needs to come up with some new tracks and probably collaborate with Timabaland. I want to take a look back at her rise to stardom in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odmj1ZiKLsw Hopefully Missy can comeback with some great stuff, fans such as myself miss your music! Where ya at Missy??

There has been some more buzz surrounding the NBA this summer. Superstars such as Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat, has been offered a 4 yr 88 million dollar deal from the Houston Rockets. I expect Bosh to sing with the Rockets and join players Dwight Howard and James Harden.  As for LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, their uncertainty still looms. I expect Carmelo Anthony to join the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant and for LeBron James , he will resign with the Miami Heat most likely along with Dwayne Wade. The Big 3 in Miami will no longer be the same, after 4 Finals runs and 2 Championships , Wade, Bosh and James have run their course together.  For Carmelo Anthony , I think Los Angeles will be a good look for him. A fresh start would suit him and I can't see him playing for Derek Fisher and the Knicks. Kobe Bryant says that he's "100 percent" healthy and the two stars would complement each other greatly. Also, I think free agent Paul Gasol will re-sign with Lo

I was watching this documentary called 112 Weddings, which dates and chronicles 112 weddings done by a documentarian named Doug Block over the past 20 years. Block interviews some of the couples he recorded on their wedding day and catches up with them and their marital status now. What he found out, was that about half of the marriages ended up in divorce, which is a current statistic today in the United States. Also, he interviewed a couple who didn't want to put a label on their marriage and called it a "partnership ceremony" , they felt binned by the legal documentation of marriage and felt as if it was romantic slavery for one another. However, ironically, about a decade and a half together, the couple was still together and with children, decided to get married. I guess they grew up and felt marriage was more practical for themselves and their family. Also, in cases of emergencies and government purposes , their spouse couldn't legally take care of their childre