Starting Five

1. “Begin the day with a friendly voice, a companion unobtrusive…” Any band that can sprinkle a polysyllabic adjective into the first line of its best song is Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-worthy. Rush got the call the other day. So, spring of 1984. Brophy Prep. Senior class awards (I am voted 3rd Most Affable — of course, I demand a recount. Third-most?!??! WTF?!?!). Anyway, the ceremony is spiced up by classmates Michael Brockman (vocals), Chris Redl (face-melting guitar) and Mark Reckling (drums) performing a spot-on rendition of “Spirit of Radio.” I wish you could’ve been there. It’s like 10:15 a.m. on a Friday morning and kids were holding up lighters.

We’re mad, men, over MM’s snub by the Hollywood Foreign Press

2. The Golden Globes nominees are announced and somehow “Mad Men” does not garner one of the five “Best Television Drama” nods. Hunh? The past season of MM, particularly the first few episodes, was some of the most brilliant television ever created. I know that everyone loves Breaking Bad and there’s a huge swell of support for “Homeland”, and this scribe is even fond of the frequently overwrought “The Newsroom”. All that said, none of them approach the genius, the layered themes, the fascinating characters, the subtle nods to history (the Thanksgiving Day fog, for example) that Mad Men provides. This was the first of many time-capsule scenes to appear from the past seasons. It’s not just Megan Draper’s performance; watch the expressions of every character, which is just a scouting report on who they are and how they feel about both her and Don.

3. The Loss Angeles Lakers fall again, 116-107, to the New York Knicks at MSG. It’s the second consecutive evening in which the Garden hosts a slew of performers who are past their primes (Kobe, you’re still there).

4. ESPN’s Rob Parker asks the question that absolutely no one was wondering about: “Is he (Robert Griffin III) a brother or is he a cornball brother?” You’ll remember that Parker trolled another current Washington Redskin QB a few years ago. That Mr. Parker still has a job at the WWL this morning is and should be an embarrassment to all the dedicated, earnest individuals who do such good work there.

Parker brother…

5. The Book of Exodus: Seven schools, all of them with Catholic affiliations, are leaving the Big East. Yes, we know, Exodus is the Old Testament. This is not a Revelation to us.

Reserves

So much more to discuss — Giovanni Bernard, Josh Hamilton, the health of Bush 41, Jon Gruden as the next Secretary of State, La. Tech’s affinity with nepotism, etc. — but it’s the height of steak-serving season and we’re working a double. Be kind, tip accordingly. Thank you.

32 Division III football teams began playing down bracket style on November 17th at schools across the country. The final two standing, Mount Union and the University of St. Thomas will play tonight in Salem, Virginia to crown a champion. What a novel idea! Every game always matters. If the score is going to be in the paper the next day, the game matters. Obviously this isn’t John writing anymore, it’s your Day of Yoreist, and St. Thomas Alum  (and leading rusher in 1985.) Go Tommies! (Although if you’re betting, take Mt. Union and give the points.)