This season of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" is shaping out to be loaded with strong seasoned comics. A few names that I was familiar with like Sean Rouse and Arj Barker had even advanced past the first auditions. However, none appealed to me more than the banana loving, South African stand-up gorilla comic from Canada - Mel Siverback.

Watching Silverback perform is like experiencing a sort of lounge lizard act but with the comedic genious of Andy Kauffman's alter ego, Tony Clifton. Primate themed one liners abound, this is one creative act that I hope to see in the U.S. comedy circuit soon. Silverback's comedian bio says that he is "an old time mountain gorilla comic who tells it like it is," and that Silverback is "the love child of a mountain gorilla and a Catskill’s comedian."

This Gorilla's credits currently include the Alternative Stand Up Festival in Vancouver; Real Madness Comedy Festival in Toronto; and opening for Randy and Lahey of the Trailer Park Boys. Uptown Magazine referred to Silverback's appearance at the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival as the "biggest buzz of the festival."

"Last Comic Standing" airs Wednesday nights at 9pm.

Mel's network television debut!

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[image]Paris Hilton in Amsterdam, "not doing drugs."

Paris Hilton appeared on "Larry King Live!" for an exclusive interview following her release from jail. During the interview, King questioned Hilton's alleged drinking and drug use associated with her frequent partying. Hilton denied ever using drugs, and said that although she enjoyed the drinking and partying in the past, that sort of thing "will not be the mainstay" of her life now.

But was Paris Hilton being completely honest with the King of talk shows? Not according to the TheSmokingGun.com. TSG posted several video clips this afternoon that clearly show Hilton discussing a possible drug transaction, smoking hash in Amsterdam on two different occasions, and talking to a friend about how to smuggle the drugs back into the states.

I was in her corner on the whole jail time thing. I thought it was a waste of time and that she'd been hassled enough. I was even gla to hear that she was looking forward to working with charities and being a positive role model to young women and girls. Then she poured out her lies across the airwaves like Gabriel poured out plagues on Egypt.

Paris Hilton is now either definitely a complete idiot who honestly forgot that she was in fact a recreational drug user, or a liar. You pick.


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Insightful, informational, and refreshing. These aren't just adjectives I pulled out of my blogging hat. No, these are words I would use to describe my recent blog discovery, Meta-Dad. I'm not sure if the author considers himself to be an abstraction of fatherhood or simply indicating that his blog is coming from a dad writing about dad stuff. Its meta-mind boggling.

Meta-Dad offers posts ranging anywhere from fun or fun parenting products, to a helpful warning in regards to the dangers of benzene, which can be found in most soft-drinks. Although the site's RSS feed is set for partial posts (sad face), it does have an easy to navigate list of categories with a simple "easy on the eye" color scheme. I've only just added Meta-Dad to my Newsgator feed collection and already I feel my brain becoming enriched with fun facts and knowledge.

If you are a parent, please take the time to check this blog out. If you enjoy it, congratulations, you're a good parent.

Honestly, does this look like the face of a killer?

The mood coming from my t.v. was an eerie and somber one last night when I tuned to WWE Raw. After news broke that former World Wrestling Champion, Chris Benoit along with his wife and son had all been discovered dead in their home, the three hour live event was canceled. Details surrounding the investigation were not being released, so in its place - a three hour long tribute to Benoit.

Wrestlers who were normally "vein popping out of their head" angry when facing the camera, were now speaking of the hurt and loss they are experiencing over the devastating news. Road stories, flashbacks, and talks of how Benoit was like family and the nicest most gentle person known were abound. It was a very touching three-hour long eulogy.

Early this morning, the cause of these deaths were determined. Murder Suicide. Turns out Benoit (the really nice friend, etc), strangled his wife, smothered his son, and then in an ultimate act of coward-ness, hung himself. What a great guy.

Don't you think it would have been wise of the WWE to at least wait until they had all of the information on hand before dedicating three hours to this former "legendary" wrestler/ woman and child killer?

Oh, and Paris Hilton is out of jail. (Sorry, that last one was strictly for search engine optimizing.)

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I just caught on the Reuters wire (thanks to the Drudge) that Tom Cruise's new project, "Valkyrie," has been barred from being able to shoot from German military sites because "Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult." Germany, who has always maintained that Scientology masquerades as a religion to make money, has strict guidelines when it comes to dishing out the "religion" cards.

This new film, which Cruise is also producing, centers around Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who failed at a assassinating Adolf Hitler during the second World War.

"In general, the Bundeswehr (German military) has a special interest in the serious and authentic portrayal of the events of July 20, 1944 and Stauffenberg's person," said Defense Ministry spokesman, Harald Kammerbauer.

While I feel like this is some sort of victory, it also makes me wonder what kind of "slippery slope" effect it could have down the road. Is Germany discriminating against Scientology by not allowing it to be recognized as a religion? Or has Germany learned something about the dangers of organizations like it in the past?

Rapture Index Rating: 156

 

This is the first ever Friday's Featured Comic post and it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you, Sina Amedson.  Currently in his fourth year of stand up comedy, Amedson clearly has what it takes to not only make others laugh, but contemplate life as well. His performances come across as relaxed and non-confrontational. Easily enjoyed by anyone no matter what comedic style you prefer.

I first came across Amedson in the Myspace Group, "Comedians of Myspace," moderated by comedian, Kris Knight. While most of the other comics in the group regularly put him down, it was clear that the roastings were merely out of respect from one comedian to another. Amedson is almost always the first to offer the first-timers advice and constructive criticism when asked and makes it clear that he cares about how the world (or at least Utah) perceives Comedy.

In fact, Amedson is venting his passion through a weekly Wednesday night comedy show at Burt's Tiki Lounge in Salt Lake City, UT. Tired of marketers over-hyping shows that are unexciting or un-inspirational, its a show that he hopes will help change people's perspectives about comedians.

"Most guys I talk to say they've been to a couple of shows at comedy clubs and they thought it was a bit hacky and didn't really like it. This is who I'm trying to convert," Amedson said in a recent blog on his Myspace page. 

Amedson hopes to attract great road comics who rarely get to play the mainstream clubs (and get little to no time in movies or television) by offering a comic friendly room with no censorship and a very small fee at the door for the public.

"I want to bring comics that people have probably never heard of that would never have even thought to play in Utah and I want them to see Utah as the place to be."

I highly recommend visiting Sina's Myspace page for a thorough biography, amusing blog, tour dates, videos, and more. He is a humble and personable guy and you will not be disappointed.

 

Sina Amedson on Wiseguys TV

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William and Rachel Poczatek of Long Island, NY live next door to a stuck up couple. After three years of complaining to the village association, Mark and Angie Kostakis are going the Poczateks. The reason for all hard feelings - the two little Poczatek girls have been playing too loudly in their yard.

"This is it for me,'' said Mark "I hate the sound of children laughing" Kostakis. "I don't work 12 hours a day to come home and listen to this....''

The Poczateks are now due in court next week and face a possible $250 fine, 15 days in jail, or both for each day the offense continued after the first notice.

Is this what the world has come to? Suing neighbors because you think their children are playing too loud outside in the middle of the day? If you don't want to hear kids laughing and yelling, don't buy a house in a family community. These folks claim that the noise is causing an "unreasonable nuisance," but I think the only unreasonable thing in this situation is the expectation these people have for an 11 and 5 year old little girl to play in silence outside, or remain in doors. If you're working graveyard and trying to sleep during the day, get yourself some ear plugs, take an Ambien and go to bed. Otherwise, move.

 

 

Grateful.  That is the best word I can use to describe how I feel about the author and the content of Problogger. I stumbled upon this blog just over a week ago and already I feel enriched with the blogging wisdom of the ancients. Just recently, I read a post featured on this site offering some advice on how to keep organized with your blog. The guest writer shared (with pictures) how to create and manage your own blog binder so that your brain isn't scrambling in every direction each day you sit down in front of your computer. It is no wonder why Problogger ranks at the top of Alexa, Technorati, MyBlogLog, etc. This information and "tricks of the trade" made available free on this blog are priceless and for that, I am extremely grateful.

 

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I'm still trying to catch up on my reading after being sick yesterday, so forgive me. I came across this article at The ShowBuzz about Elisabeth Hasselbeck and her friendship (or lack thereof) with Rosie O'Donnell. If I remember correctly, shortly after last months blowout on The View, Hasselbeck had announced that there was communication between the two of them which included some form of apologies and forgiveness (although who did what wasn't specified.) But have a look at her recent statement regarding her old pal, O'Donnell.

"Truthfully, I think a friend is someone who you have positive communications with, so I don't know if I would define us as friends right now," Hasselbeck told Access Hollywood. "I did define us as friends, but I'm not going to make the leap to assume that we will or will not be friends in the future."

It wasn't until after reading this that I realized that I have no idea how many the close personal friends I have now may or may not be considered my close personal friends in the near future.

Last month, O'Donnell shared on her personal blog that she had never tried harder to be friends with someone as she did with Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Well, maybe if she tried as hard as she does eating trans fats there would be bridge there worth mending. (She consumes more calories than she burns in a day is all that I'm trying to say (she's fat.))

Nine brave men were called home late last night. Not home to their wives or children though but home to The One who made them. The nine Charelston, South Carolina, firefighters were rescuing employees and trying to control a fire in the Sofa Super Store and warehouse when the building was engulfed in what witnesses describe as "a 30-ft tornado of flames" and collapsed suddenly to the ground.

I do not know the character of these men's hearts. I don't know what personal struggles they may have dealt with in their lives or even if any or all of them had a wife or child waiting for them to come home that day. What I do know is that when facing a task so fearfully treacherous that others (myself included) would probably run the other way, these nine men walked straight into that doom simply because it was their job. God calls men to be selfless, courageous, and to aspire for something transcendent - something greater themselves.

It is for that reason that I thank not only the firemen lost in that blaze, but all the wives, families, parents and children who continue to love and support these heroes who have illustrated to me today what it takes to be a man.

Matt Porter is a sixth grade boy who attends school in the Decatur Township school system in Indianapolis, IN. Just before school let out for the summer, two teachers handed out awards to students in front of the class. Porter was awarded "Most Likely Not To Have Children" and "Sir Clowns-a-Lot." With a humiliated student and upset parents, the school district only offered these a few words.

"We don't feel like it was an appropriate awards ceremony at all," Pellico said. "It wasn't part of the school's award ceremony, and it will not happen again."

Also, the teachers involved may or may not apologize.

I experienced something similar to this during my 8th grade year at Cedarcrest Junior High School. The guys at school would hit someones shoulder on their birthdays equal to however old you were turning. I don't recall what the term used for it was, but I remember it as "assholes hitting you on your birthday" thing. I received my birthday treat that year while sitting in History class. My teacher, Mr. Allen, overheard that it was my birthday. He told the class that he'd turn his head away, implying that they could then hit me while he was "unaware." Once his head turned, four or five students rushed my desk and took a pieace of shoulder to pound 13 times. Since that day, I was complacent and mostly untrusting of teachers or faculty members until the day grabbed my diploma.

If apologies or threats of law suits aren't enough to generate a need for change, what do we do to better shape the minds of these sorts of teachers? Or how do we prevent it?

Hey everybody!

This isn't your usual post about some crazy thing a celebrity is doing, or some whacky world leader where I then share what the bigger picture is. No, this is just me letting you all know about something new things I am trying out.

The first new thing I'm trying to do is gain some more subscribers (like everyone else in the blogging world.) I'm not so concerned about numbers as I am loyal readers (like all of you!) In my effort to do this, I decided to offer something free to anyone subscribes. As some of you may know, I do some creative comedic writing over at my Myspace. Well, I have compiled my absolute favorites and put them into an eBook. Well, by eBook I mean a pdf file that I can attach to an email. So subscribe by email and get a free eBook! If you already subscribe to my feed, leave a comment and let me know so I can get you one.

The second thing I'm trying working out is a new feature to Chaseblogger called the Chaseblogger Forum. I wanted to have a place for converstations to continue on without having to keep looking in the archives to follow comments. So on the right hand side of this blog, you will see a blue box that links to the new forum. It is free to sign and comes with an RSS feed so you can easily follow your posts and any replies. Check it out!

That's all I have for today. Keep up the internetting everyone!

Finally, amidst the endless commentary over a celebrity being in jail, being out of jail, and then being back in jail but with more crying and angst, comes something constructive to deliver the blogging world from the attention grabbing black hole that is Paris Hilton.

Jamie Lee Curtis shared her thoughts on the subject in a recent post to her blog on the Huffington Post.

"It was a painful episode to watch. A young woman, begging her mother, the person who should have taught her right from wrong, to help her, to teach her the rules of life. It was a little too late. And so she wept as the Universe was bringing the teaching and settling the score."

Why aren't more people criticizing the Hilton parents? I don't know much about their parenting techniques, but one look at the life of their daughters Paris and Nikki Hilton and doesn't take much to understand that what they tried was mistake. You can't rich your children into mature responsible adults.

"Children are paparazzi. They take your picture mentally when you don't want them to, when you don't look good, and show it back to you in their behavior."

When I watch my own children behave during the normal routines of their lives I hope to see a reflection that makes me proud. One that lets me know that when my kids grow up and move out onto their own, they will be equipped with the confidence and ability to make good solid choices. Mommy and Daddy Hilton just wanted to be sure their girls went out in Prada.

Our prayers have been answered. No longer will we have to suffer through news reports about small cold living quarters, or tear filled nights spent in jail because Paris Hilton is a free woman.

The Los Angeles County Sherrif's Department will be holding a news conference early this morning to discuss the details of how Hilton's 45 day sentence that was reduced to 23 really became just 3.

Pope Benedict set off in his Popemobile Wednesday morning for his weekly appearance to some 400,000 adoring (fans?). An excited German man leaped over the barricade to try to touch the pontiff.

In a demonstration of Christ's love (similar to that of when the woman reached out from the crowd to touch Jesus' robe in the New Testament so that she could be healed) the man was immediately wrestled to the ground and sent to a psychiatric hospital for testing.

Jack Kavorkian appeared in an interview Monday night on Larry King Live just 72 hours after being released from prison. Kavorkian served 8 years in prison for murder charges stemming from his assisted suicides of over 130 patients.

During the interview King asked Kavorkian why he continued the practice after refused to decide on its constitutionality. 'Dr. Death' said it was for the same reason that Rosa Parks refused to get up from her seat and that his patients had a natural right to be relieved from their agonizing suffering.

I have to say that I am completely on the fence on this issue. When I think the logic involved and what this man is striving to do for people in extreme suffering, it seems in my head like a noble and right thing cause. For reason though, it just feels wrong. Like something about it that I cannot articulate is out of place. What is it?

So Paris Hilton has spent her first night in jail and we all have to talk about it (me included.) I'm sure I'll be able to watch Nancy Grace tonight talk about what sort of meals Paris is eating and what her cell living accommodations are. I even had the t.v. on this morning and the 4am news people were explaining that the Century Regional Detention Facility routinely book, fingerprint, photograph, medically screen, search and issue an orange top and pants to new inmates. They made sure to point out that the search is the full body cavity kind. Do we really need to know that? I mean, is that news worthy? Hasn't most of the world already witnessed Paris receive a full body cavity search on several different occasions?

It was released yesterday that multiple police officers in Federal Way, WA had spent the last seven months undercover posing as students in different highschools. A few of the officers successfully exposed a crime ring that ended in the arrest of 10 students for investigation of selling illegal drugs and firearms.

However, one officer (with the help of a more hip younger brother) was not only able to finally feel what it was like to be the popular kid in school but also was kissed for the very first time.