Hockey Is Not Over Yet!

My dear hockey fan friends, I know that the Stanley Cup has been awarded, but this summer that does not mean the hockey season is over. In fact, far from it. I know I've mentioned it before, but we're now just three days away from the start of the NHL Tournament of Logos.

We're going to be holding a one-of-a-kind marathon competition this summer to determine which NHL team truly has the best logo. There will be stiff competition — and not so stiff competition. But all I can tell you is that it will be a blast. So head on over to the tournament blog and start reading up on what will be going down when Tuesday rolls around. It's going to be exciting stuff!

That's all for now. Let me know what you think — even if you think it's stupid.

Jericho WILL Be Back!

It's true. As you may have heard by now — or you didn't since you were in a coma — the previously canceled CBS series "Jericho" has gotten a fan-forced reprieve. I can hardly believe it myself. But don't take my word for it. Take Nina Tassler's. She's the president of CBS after all.

June 6, 2007
To the Fans of Jericho:

Wow!

Over the past few weeks you have put forth an impressive and probably unprecedented display of passion in support of a prime time television series. You got our attention; your emails and collective voice have been heard.

As a result, CBS has ordered seven episodes of “Jericho” for mid-season next year. In success, there is the potential for more. But, for there to be more “Jericho,” we will need more viewers.

A loyal and passionate community has clearly formed around the show. But that community needs to grow. It needs to grow on the CBS Television Network, as well as on the many digital platforms where we make the show available.

We will count on you to rally around the show, to recruit new viewers with the same grass-roots energy, intensity and volume you have displayed in recent weeks.

At this time, I cannot tell you the specific date or time period that “Jericho” will return to our schedule. However, in the interim, we are working on several initiatives to help introduce the show to new audiences. This includes re-broadcasting “Jericho” on CBS this summer, streaming episodes and clips from these episodes across the CBS Audience Network (online), releasing the first season DVD on September 25 and continuing the story of Jericho in the digital world until the new episodes return. We will let you know specifics when we have them so you can pass them on.

On behalf of everyone at CBS, thank you for expressing your support of “Jericho” in such an extraordinary manner. Your protest was creative, sustained and very thoughtful and respectful in tone. You made a difference.

Sincerely,

Nina Tassler

President, CBS Entertainment


P.S. Please stop sending us nuts

See? It just goes to show — CBS cares.

No really, though, this is the biggest of wins for television fans when it comes to rallying behind quality shows that meet an all too early demise. A few weeks ago, when it first happened, I wrote a few posts about it — how annoying it was that a network would allow a series to write a cliffhanger finale then choose not to renew it for another season.

A lot of fans agreed and so began the campaign of shipping peanuts — a joke only "Jericho" viewers would truly understand — to CBS to convince them they weren't a minority voice. And by god it worked!

In an unrelated story, fans of the recently canceled "Veronica Mars" plan to inundate The CW with Mars bars. No, I'm dead serious.

Ducks Win Stanley Cup!

If you haven't heard already...

THE ANAHEIM DUCKS HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP!



I'm sorry to all the Senators fans out there who thought your team had a chance. But I warned you, didn't I?



That'll teach your guys to tinker with fate. GO DUCKS!

Stanley Cup Playoffs, Night 42

It all ended tonight! The Anaheim Ducks carried the Stanley Cup before a thrilled home crowd — just like my Bolts did three years ago. I had to sleep through it, sadly, what with having to work at 4 AM and such. But it was on NBC and I hear it was unbelievable.

Ducks 6, Senators 2
Ducks win series 4-1
All right so the Anaheim Ducks didn't just win Game 5 to clinch the Stanley Cup, they almost completely slaughtered and totally embarrassed the Ottawa Senators to do so. The Sens didn't help their case either, by making bad plays, taking stupid penalties and all around playing not like their season depended on it. The worst thing was Chris Phillips pulling a Steve Smith in the second period by deflecting the puck off his own goalie and into the net — not that it was entirely his fault. Way to be on your game there, Ray Emery.

So here's your recap. Andy McDonald got things off to a swell start for Anaheim notching a power play goal less than four minutes in. Rob Niedermayer made it 2-0 by the end of the first period. His brother would later be named the playoff MVP and carry home the Conn Smythe. Daniel Alfredsson scored twice in the second hoping to heal the wounds. Unfortunately for him and the Sens, that was the period of Phillips' mishandled puck. Plus Francois Beauchemin scored to give the Ducks back the two-goal lead going into period three. Jean-Sebastian Giguere kept the puck out of the net for the final 20 minutes of the NHL season while Travis Moen and Corey Perry scored the 5th and 6th Duck goals.

I think it's also worth noting that while the Ducks did score six times, it wasn't like Emery had to face a barrage of shots all night. He saw 18 — and stopped only 12. Not very impressive. I also think it's interesting that Teemu Selanne won his first Cup after 14 seasons while making no mark on the scoresheet and finishing the night a minus-1 — not even a shot on goal for the guy.



Photos: ESPN.com

Chip Eats His Birthday Cake

Chip Eating Birthday Cake from Chris on Vimeo

Read this post and you'll understand.

Chip Turns 1

Our dog's birthday was today. He's now a year old. And yes, if you do the math, you'll realize he was indeed born on 06/06/06. I call him our devil dog. But it's cool because yesterday was my birthday — that's why I didn't post anything. Too busy celebrating — er, sleeping.

Anyway, to celebrate Chip's birthday we got him a cake from a local pet bakery — yes, there is such a thing. It was apple and cheddar cheese flavored. He loved it, of course. And if you're at all interested in seeing more pictures from his little party, you can check them out at Flickr.

Stanley Cup Playoffs, Night 41

So the Senators have dug themselves out a two-game hole, only to find themselves back in the same hole after Game 4. It was a close one though, but I see fire in Anaheim's eyes that Ottawa seems to lack. And we know what that means. This series could be over on Wednesday. Will the Ducks take the Cup or the Sens live to fight at least another day?

Ducks 3, Senators 2
Ducks lead series 3-1
Things were looking pretty good for the Senators from the outset. A strong first period culminated in a true last-second goal on the power play. But the Ducks responded to Daniel Alfredsson's goal midway through the second period. Andy McDonald scored twice in the span of 60 seconds. But Dany Heatley managed to tie the score with just two minutes to go. Then Dustin Penner scored just four minutes into the third in what would turn out to be the game-winner for Anaheim. And that's that. The Senators should be worried. The Ducks now have 15 of 16 wins necessary to claim the '07 Stanley Cup. That 16th is in sight? Can they nab it on Wednesday night or will Ottawa force a Game 6? We're on pins and needles.

Photo: ESPN.com