Get ready for history in the making folks. Tonight, EliteXC, in a partnership with CBS, will bring the first-ever Mixed Martial Arts fight card to the mainstream when EliteXC Saturday Night Fights makes its debut on CBS (KGMB 0007 or KGMB HD 1007 on Oceanic Time Warner Cable) at 8PM HST.
A HUGE step for a renegade sport that was once completely banned from TV just a few, short years ago.
Headlining the card is Internet legend, turned MMA manchild Kimbo Slice (Kevin Ferguson). His Youtube exploits were so popular that they eventually led to a contract with the then startup Showtime EliteXC organization. Now training with retired MMA fighter and trainer extraordinaire Bas Rutten, Kimbo’s career has reached a new high. He will be facing James “The Colossus” Thompson, a 6’5″ 265 pound giant.
But in what will probably turn out to be the more competitive/exciting fights, former UFC and ICON fighter Robby Lawler will defend his Middleweight title against The Ultimate Fighter alum Scott Smith, while the most popular female MMA fighter in all the land, Gina Carano, who also moonlights as Crush on the American Gladiators, will take on future up and comer Kaitlin Young.
And… Tomorrow!!!
Former UFC legend Jens “Lil Evil” Pulver drops down to featherweight (145lbs) to take on the man who’s been dominating that division, WEC Featherweight champion Urijah “The California Kid” Faber. The rest of the card looks suspect, but it’ll also be on free TV: VERSUS Channel 0210 or HDGOLF 1216 at 3PM on Oceanic Time Warner Cable.
In other news, check out “Pho Fantasy – A Tour of Hawaii’s Favorite Pho Restaurants,” my June AroundHawaii article, where I visit three of Hawaii’s favorite Pho Restaurants (coming June 1, 2008).
Nope, that’s not a typo. I meant to write Man vs. Mild, not Wild, cause that’s exactly what this show has become to me.
Recently, the show’s host Bear Grylls admitted that the situations presented in the show were sometimes not as intense as they were portrayed, but rather elaborate set ups by the production crew. Often times, Bear and his camera crew would even stay at hotels, while supposedly roughing it in the wild. WHAT THE?
Before the news, you would see signs of this “set up” when Bear would over exaggerate certain actions like pretending his feet were stuck in the mud more than they actually were, or over-reacting to rain splashing in his face. The funniest thing is when, 5 minutes into the show, he says he’s starving and that he has to hunt for food. He’ll then nibble on a 1 inch worm, (purposely showing the guts explode in his mouth of course), and pretend to be full from it! LOL!
And then, there was the camera crew. If these were really that life threatening, the real hero is the camera person who has to go through what Bear goes through, with one hand and 20 pounds of equipment strapped on! The show should be renamed to CameraMan vs. Wild! Ya feel me?
I can’t diss the show too much though. It does give you good hints on sheer survival, like telling time, starting fires and finding sources of water. For that, I give ’em props. And, like a train wreck, I can’t resist watching it to see what crazy things he’ll eat next.
New Shows Air Friday Nights on
Oceanic Time Warner Cable Discovery Channel 0333 @ 6PM or HD Discovery 1333 @ 3PM
Congratulations goes to Miss Pris for being the lucky winner to my FREE (Advance Screening) to “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan” Movie Pass Giveaway Contest. LOL! Woah, that was a mouthful. She follows JMAW as the 2nd winner to these self-proclaimed, super exciting giveaways. 🙂 See, you readers get spe-sho kine treats for suffering through my blog! As we keep this going, I’ll probably wanna keep a log of all the winners so here goes:
On a side, self-serving note, our Oceanic Time Warner Cable softball team took the 2008 Advertising Softball League Championships over Star-Bulletin last night (yeah, I’m still playing, loose teeth and all. Dumb yeah?). Below is our pic from the team “mom” for the 12 or so of you (pretty much just our team members) who are interested. LOL! TGIF tomorrow baby!
Yesterday afternoon, local boy Justin Young joined platinum recording artist (and part-time Kauai resident) Colbie Caillat (“Bubbly,” “Realize,” “Magic”) on stage for the Diversity Harmony Peace event put on by the Na Lei Aloha Foundation at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel Hawaii Ballroom. It was a star-studded event that also included local artists Keola Beamer, Raiatea Helm, Amy Hanaialii, and more, and was a follow up to the previous day’s 10th Annual Lantern Floating event at Ala Moana Beach. Below are a few snaps from the event. Mahalo to Blaine Fergerstrom for permission!
On Saturday, BJ Penn’s flying knee knocked the living daylights out of Sean Sherk, making us reminisce about what he did to Caol Uno back at UFC 34. What impressed me more was not the victory over the former lightweight champion. It was his actions after the match.
As announcer Bruce Buffer proclaimed his victory, we saw BJ yell “Mahalo Kakou!” And as Joe Rogan interviewed him, he repeatedly sent love and thanks to Hawaii, even making a comment about how expensive gas was in Hawaii, but that he was still thankful for his fans who flew in to watch him fight. Talk about loyalty!
The best way I can describe it is that BJ Penn keeps it real. He never forgets where he came from and does his part to represent Hawaii with pride. You can see it in everything he does. From his entrance music, when he walks out to Israel Kamakawiwoole (a mix of “Hawaii 78” and “E Ala E”), to his clothing, covered in everything Hawaii, to the way he surrounds himself with our local people. He is always proud to rep our island home, and we are so very proud (and lucky) to have BJ Penn.
OK, I think you’re convinced already that I’m a BJ Penn fan. Without further ado, here are scenes from my UFC 84 BBQ Parrrtay. Enjoy!
This is how I roll… *grin* (P.S. Welcome back Primo!)
“Put me on the Advertiser!” LOL!
Bacon-wrapped Scallops
BJ making his way to the Octagon. Dig my official UFC poster?
What did you think of BJ’s peformance? The card overall? And is it just me or is Penn’s face made of metal? I’ve never seen him bruise or bleed. What the?
Tomorrow is probably one of the biggest nights of Hawaii AND BJ Penn’s life. At UFC 84, Penn will represent the State and defend his lightweight title against Sean “The Muscle Shark” Sherk at the Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Nevada.
I don’t know about you, but I’m suuuupah excited about this event. Not only because Hawaii’s own BJ Penn will be bangin’ on the big stage, but because it’s a good excuse to gather the friends at the crib for a UFC BBQ Parrrrtay (see next week’s post for scenes from the party!)!
UFC 84 Fight Card
(My picks in Bold) BJ Penn vs. Sean Sherk Wanderlei Silva vs. Keith Jardine Wilson Gouveia vs. Goran Reljic
Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida Thiago Silva vs. Antonio Mendes Ivan Salaverry vs. Rousimar Palhares Rameau Sokoudjou vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura Rich Clementi vs. Terry Etim Jon Koppenhaver vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Jason Tan vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Christian Wellisch vs. Shane Carwin
Whatchu tink? Think I’m off my rocker? *grin* Let me have it below!
Ok gang, I’ve got FREE (Advance Screening) Movie Pass Giveaway #2 for y’all featuring the Adam Sandler flick You Don’t Mess With the Zohan. Earlier this month, JMAW enjoyed himself at the advance screening of Speed Racer. We’ll try to get another lucky winner for this amusing looking movie.
Since Zohan is such an odd name, how about posting your favorite weird name below? The best one wins the pass (good for two)! (Yeah, I changed it from posting a joke cause I thought that might be too hard. 😛 )
Da Details: WHO: You and a homey WHAT: FREE Advance Screening Movie Pass (good for two) to You Don’t Mess With the Zohan WHEN: Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 7:30PM (opens to the public on June 6) WHERE: Dole Cannery Theatres 18 – 735-B Iwilei Road, Honolulu WHY: Cause you read my blog brah!
Ed’s Easy Rules:
I will pick da lucky buggah by next week Thursday (05/29).
Once the winner is selected, I’ll contact you via email so we can coordinate a time and place to give you the pass, OR, if it’s easier, I can leave it here (at Oceanic) for you to pick up (during normal business hours).
Please be sure you are actually able to attend (or know someone who can) because I’d hate to pick the winner, only to find out that you can’t make it.
Acceptance of the pass means you will not hold me or Oceanic Time Warner Cable liable for anything whatsoever.
The Official Rules (fine print on the pass itself):
Please arrive early as seating is limited and on a first-come, first served basis. This pass does not guarantee admission, is non-transferable and is not redeemable for cash. Screening is overbooked to ensure capacity. This pass is the property of Columbia Pictures who reserves the right to admit or refuse access to the theater at the discretion of an authorized representative. No one will be admitted after the screening begins.
Please be advised that all bags and/or purses are subject to search. Absolutely no cameras or recording devices of any kind will be allowed in the theater. Theater will be subject to security surveillance.
About the Movie:
In You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, a comedy from screenwriters Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel (Triumph the Insult Comic Dog), and Judd Apatow (Knocked Up), Sandler stars as Zohan, an Israeli commando who fakes his own death in order to pursue his dream: becoming a hairstylist in New York. Dennis Dugan directs. Stars Adam Sandler, John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Nick Swardson, Lainie Kazan, and Rob Schneider
Thanks to our time zone, we in Hawaii will be one of the last to find out the results of this season’s American Idol competition today (unless the spoiler boards is your friend), but, for the most part, wasn’t last night’s David vs. David outcome a shocker?
All along, I’ve been praising David Cook for his innovative style and star readiness factor, two key ingredients I figgah would make him the ideal A.I. winner. But David Archuleta had other plans son! Bruddah came out to win it all “dawg!”
You could see a look of determination in his eye (the eye of the tiger if you will) that you’ve never seen before, and you could hear the conviction in his voice with every note. His three choices (one chosen by Clive Davis) were spot on:
“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me”
“In This Moment”
“Imagine”
While Cook’s three choices:
“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
“Dream Big”
“The World I Know”
fell surprisingly flat. I was actually bored to tears (no, not real tears silly – see Robots Don’t Cry).
An air of arrogance (which I’ve seen signs of in the past) also started to bother me when watching Cook last night. If it were based strictly on last night, from a pure singing standpoint, David Archuleta, in my mind, wins hands down. But you never know what the voting public thinks and does.
Either way, it was an interesting night to put the finishing touches to this season’s American Idol don’tcha think? Have a happy hump day y’all!
—
P.S. Congrats to the Chicago Bulls yesterday for vaulting all the way up from the 9th spot to the #1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft. Here’s how the top 14 went down:
Chicago Bulls
Miami Heat
Minnesota Timberwolves
Seattle Supersonics
Memphis Grizzlies
New York Knicks
L.A. Clippers
Milwaukee Bucks
Charlotte Bobcats
New Jersey Nets
Indiana Pacers
Sacramento Kings
Portland Trail Blazers
Golden State Warriors
Talk to me: – Who do you think won Season 7 of American Idol? David Cook or David Archuleta?
– Who’s your NBA team? Are you happy with the lottery results?
Recently it was announced that starting July 16th, A&E’s popular reality show Dog the Bounty Hunter will be making a return to the airwaves for the first time since November… nearly eight months after being yanked from the lineup for racial comments he made on a telephone conversation with his son.
Although, I’m not a big fan of Duane “Dog” Chapman and company’s over-the-top way of doing things (overdramatizing things for TV), I have to give ’em credit for cracking down on one of Hawaii’s biggest problems: Ice (and drugs in general). And though it does bother me when they try to act “local,” I love seeing (scenes of) Hawaii getting its pub on national TV.
I’m kind of crossed on this whole return thing gang. I could do without ’em (I’ve heard stories that they expect VIP service wherever they go), but like the publicity Hawaii gets as a result of their show.
World Wide Ed 