Well, that was certainly...um...something? As usual with these things, the quality was all over the place and it makes you wonder how one of these confabs would be if they did one for Led Zeppelin. Disaster? Since the Beatles tribute was taped the same time as the Grammys, we get Pharrell Williams and his goofy Dudley Do-Right/Smokey the Bear hat and those damned infernal Cirque de Soleil acrobats...which unnecessarily distracted from "Here Comes the Sun". Which points to a major flaw in just about all show productions these days: An inability to trust in a song to communicate to the audience without cluttering it up with gizmos and histrionics. Also, must every director overuse that annoying ploy of showing celebrity audience members singing and swaying along to the song? Usually badly and offbeat, at that. Ringo singing "With a Little Help From My Friends" was one of the highlights for me. I don't know about the rest of the country, but the LA broadcast was definitely edited and missing songs, like "Hey Bulldog" and "Magical Mystery Tour". Biggest mystery is why Paul chose to end with "Hey Jude" instead of his concert showstopper "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End"? That would have brought down the house. Oh well, at least they didn't end it with that snooze-fest "Let It Be". For those keeping score, here was the setlist for the actual concert before CBS got their grubby little hands on it. Thank god I missed Maroon 5. All My Loving (partial) Maroon 5 Ticket to Ride Maroon 5 Dont Let Me Down John Mayer and Keith Urban In My Life Ed Sheeran Let It Be - Alicia Keys and John Legend Revolution Imagine Dragons Yesterday Katy Perry Fool on the Hill Eurythmics Here Comes the Sun - Brad Paisley and Pharrell Williams Hey Bulldog - Dave Grohl and Jeff Lynne Something Lynne, Joe Walsh, and Dhani Harrison While My Guitar Gently Weeps Joe Walsh and Gary Clark Jr. (with Grohl on drums) We Can Work It Out Stevie Wonder Matchbox Ringo Starr Boys Ringo Yellow Submarine Ringo Magical Mystery Tour Paul McCartney Birthday McCartney Get Back McCartney "I Saw Her Standing There" -- McCartney Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band/ With a Little Help From My Friends McCartney and Ringo Hey Jude McCartney (with Ringo on drums)

I have a theory but it will require more research before I put it in black and white.

Paul, are you worried about Indiana picking up Andrew Bynum? It could be a genius move...or a disaster. Depending on which Bynum they get, of course. I actually watched a little of the Lakers versus Chicago game earlier today. At one point the Lakers had five white guys on the court...I thought I was watching Utah! Haha. Steve Nash got hurt AGAIN...natch! Just retire already Steve, it's over. Lakers will just have to take the cap hit.

^^^ Watching it now. Sunday afternoon. Congregation of Beatles fans outside Capitol Records on Vine St. celebrating 50th anniversary of Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Birthday cake was served. I have no memories of watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan...for two reasons. 1. I was too young; being only 1 1/2 years old. 2. We didn't even get our first TV until 1966.

Of course he would laugh...Quick is a competitor! He wants to win the gold and play a major part. Doesn't mean I have to like it and want him risking further injury, haha. Ask me what I prefer and I'll tell you I'd rather the Kings win a Stanley Cup than the USA win gold any day.

Get your brooms ready!

It is not just a ceremonial title. Believe me, in show business, there are clear reasons for every title and credit bestowed. The Executive Producer (Peter Grant) is distinct and separate from the Music Producer (Jimmy Page). The Executive Producer handles the budget and accounting, deals with copyright and legal issues, hires and pays the sound engineers and technicians that work on the record, and arranges for the studio time. The Producer concerns himself with the actual recording and making of the music for the album. Reat assured, Peter Grant earned that Executive Producer credit.

Those young girls are pretty flexible. Oy vey...that doesn't sound right.

[ Oh puhhh-lease fellas...it's a strictly numbers decision. MSNBC is a tick on the back of NBC. The Tonight Show is a cash cow for NBC that generates probably more money than all the MSNBC shows combined. Nobody gives a rat's ass about Obama jokes, as long as the numbers are up. Hell, making jokes about the President is part of the job when you're a late night talk show host...it doesn't matter who is President: Johnson, Nixon, Clinton or Obama. Whether NBC is making a mistake or not in switching to Fallon, time will tell. But I can guarantee you it has nothing to do with Obama jokes. Frankly, all this sob story business over poor Leno being mistreated by NBC has me laughing. Karma is a bitch...what goes around comes around. So don't ask me to feel sorry for Jay Leno when it was he that was the cause of Johnny Carson being squeezed into early retirement. Somewhere Johnny Carson is having a good laugh over Leno getting hoisted by his own petard.

You got it, Walter. I promise not to be snarky the entire day Wednesday...only positive thoughts.

^^^ Whoa, I missed the crashing thru door story. That actually sounds pretty funny. I admit I've turned a deaf ear to much of the Sochi coverage. Too much going on... Ah, time for Beatles birthday cake.

Gracie Gold skated great, helping the U.S. team take Bronze. Born in Newton, Massachusetts, trains in Los Angeles.

Bode blows it again.

You should write for Jimmy Fallon. Perhaps. Running water shouldn't be a problem, yes, but a dependable power grid or high-speed wifi may be asking too much in some of these countries who seem to have only the vaguest conception of Thomas Edison. Life isn't a news cycle. Whether the news is quiet or not, the Olympics are always going to garner attention. Justin Bieber...Miley Cyrus...Gov. Christie...these are flavours of the month. The Olympics have been going on for 100 years and involves most of the world...like the World Cup, it's going to be noticed and talked about. Doesn't mean everyone has to like it. I'm not that passionate about the Olympics either. Fortunately, because of the weird way NBC treats the Olympic broadcasts, it's easy to avoid the Olympics altogether and never notice they're on.

^^^ I think it comes down to perceptions and differing levels of tolerance depending on expectations. I think people are willing to put up with certain inconveniences in countries perceived to be "developing" or Third World...ie Caribbean or South Pacific countries. With the beach and warm weather, all you really need in those tropical paradises is a sleeping bag. But in First World countries, the standard for amenities and comfort is much higher. No matter how remote Sochi is, it is still in Russia, and the perception is still that Russia is supposed to be a First World country. First world countries should not have problems building a hotel or have brown water. No mistake...this is a black eye for Putin and Russia.

You gotta love and admire Japan's Noriaki Kasai. Dude's 41 years old and still out there flying. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/07/olympics/seven-time-olympian-kasai-hopes-to-inspire-teammates/#.UvfYenrgH6c

Many blues influences, among many others, but these are the main four, in my opinion: Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Otis Rush.

Yep. Answers to the name of Red. Last seen walking out the door with Rain.

Considering CBS has spent millions advertising this special, you've just given them a heart attack...how can anyone not know what channel it's on? CBS 8pm ET/PT. Who are among the acts joining Paul and Ringo? Stevie Wonder, Jeff Lyne, Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry(singing "Yesterday"), Alicia Keys, and a reunion of the Eurythmics - Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart. One of the highlights I was told by someone who was at the taping last week is the ubiquitous Dave Grohl with Joe Walsh and Gary Clarke, Jr. trading licks on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".

US women kicked ass in hockey! Guess Rick won his parlay, although I think betting on Olympics is kind of nuts. Too many variables.

That was just ridiculous. I didn't think the Reds had it in them to thrash Arsenal like that, but it was fun to watch...especially that opening onslaught. And can you believe Liverpool scores 5 goals and not one is by league-leading scorer Luis Suarez?

That was a weird out-of-order arrangement of Shine On You Crazy Diamond Ashley Wagner skated to...and the music choice might have cost her some points. Wow! The Italian girl, Carolina...Mama Mia!!! Ave Maria was a great music choice too.

Watching my first bit of these 2014 Winter Olympics...figure skating at the moment.

^^^ I love Meryl Davis. USA! USA!

In case anyone thought our buddy KB just had an attack of articulation, the above is actually from an AP press report of the event. You can read the full article here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2554645/Wow-I-just-won-Olympics-American-Sage-Kotsenburg-wins-Sochi-gold-medal-Mens-Slopestyle.html