Saturday morning coffee

- Check out Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons. I recommend downloading "Born Again," "My Heart Would Be There," and "Tennessee."

- Newsflash: Reports on the pop culture websites say that Britney Spears is considering marriage again--#3 for the rock princess. The potential victim this time is current agent, and boyfriend, Jason Trawick. Dude, walk away as quickly as you can...

- Guess who turns 40 on Monday? Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster and all of the other charming residents of Sesame Street will celebrate a birthday. This wonderful program has touched the lives of countless children, and adults, with its simple, yet very important, lessons served up by the characters and a lineup of very special guests since 1969.

- Kirk Hammett of Metallica is trying to peddle his mansion in San Francisco, in case you're interested. The new list price is $9 million--down from the $12.5 million that Hammett asked in 2005 when the abode first went on sale. Also on sale in northern California is former San Francisco 49er and Kansas City Chief Joe Montana's 9,700 square foot Tuscan-style villa in the Sonoma Valley wine country. The ex-QB and wife Jennifer are offering the home and accompanying 500 acres for a tidy sum of $49 million. You can contact Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley if you're interested.

Mickey in need of a makeover?

On November 18, Mickey Mouse will celebrate his 81st birthday. And, while the rodent looks amazingly young for his age, the Walt Disney Co. wants to give Mickey a makeover.

Does this fit into the old adage of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" or is this truly a case where an iconic brand figure needs updating? According to those in the know, Disney wants to make Mickey a bit more edgy in films and video games and may even be looking to change the way he talks, walks and lives.

If that's truly the case, I'm saddened at the feeling of a need to change. In the category of "my two cents," I think we have enough "edgy" characters making their way into films, video games, television, and popular culture in general.

Say it ain't so, Mickey!

College football preview - week ten

Performance season-to-date: 64-23, .736

The Kansas-Kansas State clash is previewed separately so let's take a look at the other key matchups this week in the Big 12 and around the U.S. There are a couple of key conference games in the Big 10 and the SEC.

Baylor at Missouri. Line: MU by 14. Prediction: Missouri by 21.

Oklahoma at Nebraska. Line: OU by 5.5. Prediction: Oklahoma by 7.

Oklahoma State at Iowa State. Line: OSU by 7.5. Prediction: Oklahoma State by 10.

Texas A&M at Colorado. Line: A&M by 3. Prediction: Texas A&M by 4.

Ohio State at Penn State. Line: Penn State by 3.5. Prediction: PSU by 4.

Oregon at Stanford. Line: Oregon by 7. Prediction: Stanford by 3.

LSU at Alabama. Line: Bama by 7.5. Prediction: Alabama by 10.

Florida State at Clemson. Line: Clemson by 8.5. Prediction: Clemson by 10.

Wake Forest at Georgia Tech. Line: GT by 16. Prediction: Tech by 14.

Kansas - Kansas State preview

When the season started, this game loomed as a “gotcha” game for Kansas—a rivalry game sandwiched between a big road contest in Lubbock and a home game against the betting favorite in the Big 12 North—Nebraska. Instead, this game will pit the unexpected Big 12 North leader, Kansas State, versus a Kansas team which is dealing with a 1-3 league mark, a benched quarterback and a coach who suddenly is defending personnel decisions.

The betting line is Kansas +2.5 points. Let’s break down the matchup.

Overall Series Record: KU-65, KSU-35, 5 ties.

Offense: Advantage – Kansas.

I'm giving the Jayhawks the benefit of the doubt on this one. Through the first five games of the season, KU was a national leader in points scored and passing offense, and their rushing attack wasn’t too shabby either, even without Jake Sharp. Since then, the offense has sputtered—too many turnovers, dropped passes and an offensive line which, even in the head coach’s words, has “regressed.” Kansas State, on the other hand, has found a rhythm on offense, featuring the conference’s leading rushing attack with Daniel Thomas (902 yards and 10 TDs this season), and came back last week against a stout Oklahoma defense. (The Wildcats were within five points at one point in the fourth quarter.)

It would be easy to say KSU has the advantage here. But, I like the set jaw I’ve seen on Todd Reesing this week. After witnessing what he’s done the past three seasons, it’s hard to suggest he won’t come back and lead a potent attack this week.

Defense: Advantage – Push.

I’m tempted to go with KU given the improved performances of the past three weeks. The most disturbing thing, though, is how Texas Tech gashed Kansas’ D last week in the 4^th quarter behind Baron Batch’s three TDs. So, who will we see on Saturday—the Kansas defense which was a league leader against the run earlier in the season or the one from the final 15 minutes last week?

The Wildcats gave up 458 yards last week at OU and didn’t have a sack or a turnover—something which will be crucial for this unit on Saturday. Oklahoma also had its way on third downs, converting 10 of 13. KSU, on the season, is allowing a 40% conversion rate on third downs.

Special Teams: Advantage – Kansas State.

Can you say “Brandon Banks?” Where does Bill Snyder find these kids on an all-too-regular basis? I will be amazed if Banks does not run one back against a Kansas kick coverage team which has too often relied upon kicker Jacob Branstetter to make a tackle at midfield on a return.

On the Kansas side, punter Alonso Rojas is having a good year and Branstetter showed he had big range with his 57 yard FG against Oklahoma. The kick return team rarely gets the ball past the 20—which has been part of Kansas’ offensive problems—and the punt return team has yet to break a big return.

Coaching: Advantage – Kansas State.

My observation is that Bill Snyder is doing his best coaching job in years—it’s almost as if part of what motivated him to come back was to make up for the final two years on his previous Kansas State career when his teams went 4-7 and 5-6. Mangino, on the other hand, is suffering through three straight losses with a team which had high expectations.

Intangibles: Advantage – Kansas State.

KSU has lost three straight to Kansas including an embarrassing loss last year in Lawrence. The year before, Kansas came to Manhattan and beat the #24 ‘Cats. The two teams’ seasons went in opposite directions after that--KU ascended to a BCS bowl victory and KSU ended the season 5-7 and fourth in the Big 12 North.

Kansas State has momentum, a legendary coach on the sideline (again), a home crowd who will be fired up (although I was surprised that 4,000 tickets were announced as still available on Wednesday of this week) and are 4-0 in Bill Snyder Family Stadium this season. A win here would make the ‘Cats 4-2 in the league and firmly positioned as the likely North winner.

Prediction: Kansas State 33, Kansas 27…in overtime.

Troy Smith

Earlier this week, news of the death of Troy Smith didn't seem to make much of a ripple. But, Smith's impact on how we order and consume a hamburger is being felt to this day in cities and small towns around the U.S.

Smith was the founder of Sonic Corporation, the company who today manages 3,600 drive-in restaurants in 42 states.

In the late 1950's, Smith had just left the military. He was driving along the Texas-Louisiana border and dined at a restaurant who used a car-to-kitchen intercom for ordering food. Enamored with the idea, and the technology, he used this approach for his root beer stand in Shawnee, OK. From those humble beginnings, a quick-service restaurant chain was born.

It is Smith's business practices, though, which should be the biggest cause for attention. He believed strongly in the value of customer service and coined the phrase "Service with the Speed of Sound." He attracted young talent and turned workers into managers.

Smith was known for chuckling even when given bad news and consistently heaped praise on his associates. He stayed involved in the business all of his life, even though he retired from day-to-day operations in 1983.

Smith implemented an idea for dining out during the rise of the automobile, the construction of roads and superhighways, and an American public's increased desire to eat away from home. And, he did it with quality service and product, along with a pleasant and inspiring business leadership style, as his cornerstones for success. Sounds like a legacy we all could emulate...

Mr. Smith was 87.

Top magazines

Advertising Age magazine came out with their list of top magazines and you may be surprised at the list. Ad Age not only considered traditional measures like circulation and number of ad pages but, more importantly in the new world order, titles which have become brands, produce revenue through non-traditional methods and also offer up cross-media platforms.


The top three magazines are all focused on women--#1 is Women's Health; #2, Better Homes & Gardens; and #3, Family Circle. What's startling--at least to me--is that BHG started publishing in 1922 and Family Circle in 1932. So, major kudos to those two titles for their longevity and continued relevance.


The top ten magazines list was as follows:


1. Women's Health
2. Better Homes & Gardens
3. Family Circle
4. The Economist
5. People
6. Essence
7. The Week
8. Backpacker
9. Cosmopolitan
10. National Geographic


People, founded in 1974, is the only Time Inc. title on the list. And, perhaps not surprisingly, that company today announced major layoffs across a variety of their magazines.

Where's the Snuggie?

For all of you fans who were excited to see the latest Snuggie commercials, which typically air in the colder winter months, I hate to disappoint you but you’ll be seeing less and less of those spots this season.

A tightening scatter media market is leaving direct response advertisers like Snuggie and Sham Wow aced out—traditional advertisers are nabbing this remnant time which formerly was the domain of products sold with long-form media, 800 numbers and accompanying websites.

As a result, Snuggie will turn to 15-second and 30-second spots versus the 60 and 120-second commercials they used last year to successfully launch their product. And, in a 15 or 30 second commercial you will see far fewer vignettes of highly satisfied consumers using the product.

I, for one, am bummed—who can forget the endearing image of the couple wearing their Snuggies at the local football game? I will miss that…

It's KU hoops season!

If you’re a Kansas basketball fan, there is great anticipation for this season. But wait, Jayhawk Nation—there are a couple of disturbing pre-season plot lines that, if history holds, do not bode well for KU’s post-season hopes.

Kansas is the consensus #1 pick in NCAA Mens Basketball for the 2009-2010 season based upon the returning of all five starters and key bench players from last year’s 27-8, Big 12 champion and Sweet Sixteen squad. And, Bill Self added highly touted recruits Xavier Henry, Elijah Johnson and Thomas Robinson into the mix, along with Henry’s brother, C.J.

So, what’s to worry about? Well, try this on for size—the last two times in recent history when Kansas was ranked first in the pre-season they ultimately lost early in the NCAA Tourney--to Rhode Island (2nd round-1998) and Bucknell (1st round-2004.) And, the 1998 team is the one who, like this one, boasted two pre-season All-Americans. Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce were honored in that fashion in ’98—this year Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich are Associated Press pre-season first team All-Americans. (Two teammates have received this honor only six times—and Kansas has now done it twice.)

One potential positive is that this year’s team will be tested early and often. In December Kansas must play at UCLA, and then faces Pac-10 favorite California and top 25 foe Michigan, back-to-back at home, over the span of four days. In early January, KU goes to Knoxville to take on another highly ranked team in Tennessee, then ventures into conference play and must travel for their toughest conference match-up—at Texas.

The ’98 team had not tasted the Final Four but the 2004 squad featured players who advanced to the national championship game the year before. The 2009-2010 model has two guys who not only advanced to the championship game, but won it. Jayhawk fans are hoping the motivation for Collins and Aldrich is that they can become the first players in a storied program’s history to notch two national titles during their career.

Birthday greetings

Let's give a birthday shout-out today to J.D. Souther, 64, one of the lesser known yet very important figures in the southern California country rock scene of the 1970's.

Souther moved to Los Angeles in the late 1960's and met a young guitarist, Glenn Frey, who had moved to L.A. from Detroit. They bonded, given a common love of country music and R&B, and began working together. They ultimately roomed together and had Jackson Browne as their downstairs neighbor, thus forming a trio who would collaborate on numerous projects.

Souther had two less-than-spectacular stints with country rock groups, the first with Frey in Longbranch Pennywhistle and the second with Chris Hillman (Byrds) and Richie Furay (Poco) as part of the Souther Hillman Furay Band.

It was as a writer and solo performer where Souther achieved the greatest success. He co-wrote some of The Eagles best material, including "Best of My Love," "Heartache Tonight," "New Kid in Town," and "Victim of Love." His song, "How Long" appeared on The Eagles latest album, Long Road Out of Eden and was released as a single.

Souther also collaborated with Linda Rondstadt--he produced her Don't Cry Now album and wrote several songs for her, including "Faithless Love."

Ironically, Souther's biggest hit as a solo artist was with a song he did not write--his version of "You're Only Lonely," a Roy Orbison hit, reached number 7 on the Billboard charts.

Monday morning musings

Hopefully everyone had a safe and happy Halloween and wore their latex physician glove when dispensing candy to the trick-or-treaters. (Seriously--did you see where we were encouraged to wear these gloves even though the candy being dispensed was packaged? This H1N1 deal is getting everyone a bit loopy...)

- Season three of Mad Men has one episode to go and this has been, I think, the best season to date. Jon Hamm's acting in the past two episodes will net him an Emmy win for Best Actor. In last night's episode, the assassination of President John Kennedy was woven into the story line in a neatly told, true-to-the-time way. Excerpts of Walter Cronkite, David Brinkley and others were used to provide the reality of that awful late November weekend in 1963.

- It's officially the Christmas season--I'm seeing the television commercials for visiting Branson for the holidays, featuring Andy Williams. How many years have these commercials aired?

- Kansas State lost but their second half performance in Norman on Saturday night, against Oklahoma, was truly impressive. The 11:30 a.m. game on Saturday between State and Kansas is huge for both teams.

- That "fall back" thing is a nice benefit of the shift from Daylight Savings Time.