Quicktakes, Issue 1

There are times when I don't really have what I feel is enough to make a full column about any one subject, but enough to write something about several different ones. Today is just such a day, so I give you the first ever Quicktakes...enjoy!

Have You Gone To Parris?
There is a revolution underway in college basketball. It hasn't gotten an abundance of attention just yet, but it's coming. The Parris twins have the potential to be to women's college basketball what Micheal Jordan was to the NBA. They are both talented, very well spoken, humble young ladies. They were raised right. Courtney is 6'4" and is built like and moves like Shaq. Ashley is 6'1", thinner but also extremely athletic. Together, they are putting up about 65% of OU's point and over half of the team's rebounds...and they are true freshmen. Next year, the team gets Hakeem Olajuwon's daughter who promises more of the same. Yes, a revolution is coming...if you get the chance, make sure you check it out.

McNabb the Goat
I still don't understand it. Donovan McNabb was heralded as a new generation QB coming out of Syracuse. He was black and could run AND throw. What a concept! In his early years in the NFL with the Eagles, he ran much more than he does today and was great at it. But the fans and media complained that he needed to develop more as a passer. So he did. Now, he's an accomplished drop back passer who can still scramble when needed, and those exact same people have decided that he needs to run more. Understand, these people are complaining because the Eagles haven't won a Super Bowl. You know, all they've done is go to four straight NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl...and they couldn't have done without both of McNabb's abilities. To the fans and media in Philly, I warn you now to shut your holes before your QB decides to go find work elsewhere and you learn the hard way just how good he is.

King of the Box Office????
What is it these days that when we set out to make a blockbuster movie...it somehow has to end up being 3 hours long? The story I'm hearing on King Kong is that it has really good action (and sometimes too much of it) and is well made, but that there are obvious parts of it that could, and should, have been cut out to shorten the film. Was Peter Jackson trying to outdo his work from the Lord of the Ring films? Is there some unwritten rule in Hollywood these days that a blockbuster must break the 3 hour mark? Are they trying to give us more film for our dollar? I'm sure we will go check it out, but here is betting that Narnia is twice the film for less than 3 hours of your movie watching time.

The Best Show on TV
It isn't my favorite show, it isn't the most entertaining, it doesn't have the most action...it isn't the best at any one particular thing. So how is it that Extreme Makeover Home Edition gets my vote for the best show on TV? Because it's big corporations going above and beyond to help people in need. If you aren't familiar with it, here's what happens:
Families everywhere send in tapes to ABC, who has teamed up with Sears and with homebuilders all over the country to build new houses for these families. Often on the show there will be a single parent who's spouse has passed away, families who have special needs (handicaps, diseases), they renovated a camp for special needs kids once (and the owner's house). The team comes in, meets the family, and finds out more about their situation. The family then goes on vacation while the team demolishes the old house and builds a brand new one. They will also go above and beyond by getting the community and, sometimes, celebrities involved to help raise money for a cause. The builders will pitch in and give the family money to pay their utilities or send the kids to college. Sure, the network wouldn't do this if it didn't make them money, but they are helping people who need help and it's refreshing to see something like this on TV. Something you actually don't mind watching with your kids. Something that serves to remind that there are far more good people in the world than bad.

That's all I have for now...have a great weekend everybody. Be careful out there if you brave the stores to finish up your Xmas shopping!