Let's Talk About the Duke Court Storming Incident

I want to start out this piece today by saying I think court storming is stupid, unless your team has just won the title. That seems like the only appropriate time for fans to be so excited that they leave their seats and run onto the floor to celebrate with the team. Even then, it seems like a bit much. The fans didn't do anything other than cheer for their favorite team. The players and coaches are the only ones that should be out there right after the game ends.

With all that being said, I now despise Duke men's basketball even more than I thought possible. For people who may nor know, Duke played Wake Forest recently, Wake Forest won, the game was at home and their fans ran onto the court. During this, some of the fans ran into Kyle Filipowski, one of Duke's star players, and he went down in a heap. At the moment, it looked pretty bad. I read that he may have had some kind of structural damage to his knee. At best, for him, it looked like he may have sprained his ankle. Either way, Filipowski looked hurt. But then all the grandstanding from Duke's coach and players started. Duke's coach, John Scheyer, made a face on the floor that looked like someone was physically abusing him. He went into the post game conference and bitched and moaned nonstop. He called for an end to court storming. He wanted to know if the ACC was going to do something about what happened. He said that he was certain Filipowski was badly injured. He cried and cried. And, of course, ESPN latched onto this story and took Scheyer's side. Soon other coaches found a reason to bemoan court storming. This was their in. They just needed someone to whine first before they could all complain.

This actually reminded me a lot of the Michigan sign stealing "scandal". Coaches just needed someone else to bring it up so they could all play the martyr. That is exactly what is happening with Duke and the court storming. Filipowski could have stayed quiet and just tried to heal, but like the white Duke basketball player he is, he came out and said he thought it was "personal". He claimed that it felt like people were purposely running into him during the court rush. He was certain he was badly injured. But as the days have dragged on since it has been revealed there is no structural damage to any part of his body. He may have had a sprain, but it was mild at best. He came out yesterday and said he was "sore". Scheyer has said that he is "doubtful" for their upcoming game against Louisville.

All of this is hilarious to me. This is just a narrative they are pushing that will favor Duke in the eyes of the media. If they play Louisville without Filipowski and they get beat or it is too close for comfort, the powers that be at Duke can say they were missing one of their key guys due to "wild fans" at Wake Forest running on the floor. But, if he miraculously plays, I'm being sarcastic, and plays well, the ESPN's of the world can call him a "warrior". They will compare him to Willis Reed or Paul Pierce. By the way, we all know Pierce pooped his pants. The cat is out of the bag. But Filipowski, Scheyer and Duke are in a win-win. They can do no wrong in this case. A bunch of people are on their side. The narrative has switched from Wake upsetting a highly ranked Duke team to, their fans are crazy and they intentionally hurt a star Duke player. Add to that that Filipowski is white, the main media is creaming in their jeans over this whole thing. Meanwhile, I find this hilarious and catty from Duke. They need a built in excuse for why they are not a contender yet again. This is too perfect coming from this basketball team at this university. I guarantee that the media wouldn't be this crazy about this story if it happened to J'Wan Roberts from Houston. Or Zach Edey from Purdue. Or Caleb Love from Arizona. The media is skewed in the wrong direction, but now they have this story to keep them afloat even longer. I am champing at the bit to see the hubbub when he does suit up and play the game against Louisville. It is going to be so sappy and so stupid.

Get over yourselves Duke. You will not stop courts from being rushed, and you should have won the game. Like they were supposed to do. They could have avoided this whole thing if they were a little better at basketball. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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An Ode to Lily Sullivan, the Next Big Podcast Star

Listening to "CBB" today I found myself laughing harder than normal. This show always has guests that I like, I wrote about that last week. But they also have recurring people coming on to play multiple characters. I feel like this is what makes this show excellent. I love it when they have famous people that I enjoy, but the recurring guests are usually the best. That was the case this afternoon.

Lily Sullivan was playing co-host on the most recent episode. She was doing a newish character, Tony Sony. Sony appeared once before, and was hilarious. But, they also kept saying that was going to be the first and last appearance. I'm glad it was not. Tony Sony has been cracking me up to this point. And as I was listening, it got me thinking. Lily Sullivan may be my new favorite recurring player on the podcast. She always seems to hit a homerun with whatever character she decides to play that day. Sony is new, but hilarious. I also really enjoy her interpretation of Bridget Jones. Hearing her read entries from her diary, and button them the way she does, it is comedy gold. It has to be so much better than those movies, but I have never seen them before. I also enjoy Francesca Bolongese. The way she and Scott Aukerman argue is dynamite. I love how she goes at him relentlessly. Bicky is pretty great. She is Australian and always says she is confused for the actual Lily Sullivan. But Bicky is also quick to say she is not as attractive as Lily Sullivan. She has also done an okay Cher. She was put on the spot, and asked to sing, and she still found a way to pull it off and make it hilarious. But the best character she plays, which has now moved over almost exclusively to "Hey Randy", is Carissa. Carissa is mean. She messes with Randy all the time. Randy is played by Sullivan's husband, Tim Baltz, who is also hilarious. But Sullivan as Carissa always brings it and is always funny. The way she goes at Randy and Scott Aukerman is pretty great. I love how she has taken that character over to "Hey Randy", but still finds the time to make fun of Aukerman and some other mainstays on "CBB". Carissa may be her best creation so far.

Sullivan has this knack for podcast appearances. She never seems to be taking it seriously, but I always find myself laughing hardest when she is on and performing. I also get pumped to listen when I see her name listed as a guest that day. I know it will, at the very least, make me chuckle. She can hang with, and dole it out to the best of them. And when they try to give it back, she is ready, locked and loaded. She is quick and sharp. She is smart and funny. She has a way to turn the situation on its head in a wonderfully absurd way. She has a joke hit rate of damn near nine out of every ten jokes she tells. It is crazy to see her hand it to Aukerman or PFT or Jason Mantzoukas.

Lily Sullivan is about to hit it big. I know she has had some smaller roles in recent movies and tv shows, but the big time is coming for her. She is about to be on everyone's radar. She has a genius comic mind and I am stoked to see what she does next. Maybe she and Baltz will team up and make a hilarious new show. I hope that's the case. Until then. I have her appearances on "CBB" to look forward to. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Zach Edey on the Spurs Makes Too Much Sense

As we get closer to March, I get more excited for the NCAA basketball tournament. Even with Michigan's men's basketball team having a bad season, the football team won the title by the way, in case you all forgot, I still want to watch the tourney. Hell, I'll even check in from time to time with the NIT. I like tournament basketball. The stakes are the highest, we get cool upsets and we see who the best of the best is in the end. The fact that the tournament is around the corner means that it is also the NBA mock draft season.

I look at these closer this time of year because I want to know what players to watch as we get into conference tournaments and March Madness. The mock drafts let me know who I may have forgotten about, or what player from a sleeper team I need to see. This was when my love for Ja Morant started. I saw his name fly up draft boards and I started to pay more attention as his Murray State team made a mini run in the tournament. So, I was looking at a mock draft on Bleacher Report a little bit ago and I saw that this writer had Zach Edey mocked to the Spurs as the 33rd overall pick, the first pick of the second round.

I kind of brushed it off and thought, Edey is big, strong and skilled, he may be a mid to late first rounder. But when I was cleaning my house, I thought a little more about this spot, and the team he was mocked to, the Spurs. For those that may not know, Edey is the starting center for Purdue. Purdue is a good team. They've been in the top 5 all year. And Edey is their best player. He also happens to be 7'4 and he weighs 300 pounds. That is one big dude. I watch him a lot, I'm a Michigan fan so I watch the Big 10 specifically, and not only is he big, Edey is skilled. He has great post moves. He is a good defender. He is a good rebounder due to his height. He is a solid passer. He can see over everyone. And he is pretty dominant in one of the better conferences in all of the country. The only knock on him is his outside shooting, which is non-existent. But, he should make for a fine bench/role player in the NBA. Him being 7'4 has got to be enticing. And this is not a Tacko Fall or Manute and Bol Bol thing. Those guys are very tall and kind of skilled. But they were skinny. Edey is skilled and thick. He will be able to deal with all the stuff that goes down in the post in the NBA. This all works in his favor.

Then, if the Spurs do draft him, they are teaming him up with Victor Webanyama, maybe the best young talent in the NBA. Wemby is amazing. He is supremely skilled. He can dribble like a point guard, shoot like a 2 guard, defend all positions, run an offense, have an offense run through him, rebound, be a menace on defense, he can basically do it all. He has been as advertised. I know the Spurs are very bad right now, but Wemby is worth watching. He is doing amazing stuff night in and night out. But, while he is 7'4 and can do pretty much everything, he is 18 and skinny. Edey can come in and take on the bigger guys in the league and let Wemby be a rover on defense. Edey can come in and find that his role is defense and rebounding, and let Wemby continue to blossom. He can be his backup, or the Spurs could start the two of them together in the low post. That would be a nightmare for opponents, trying to score over those two. Then you throw in a guy like Jeremy Sochan who is already a good defender and menace. He is also 6'8. The Spurs could go guard in this draft, but they do have Tre Jones, who has proven to be a good pick and roll player. They could let Zach Collins or Charles Bassey walk and be okay with Edey sliding into one of their spots. And guys like Malaki Branham, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson will be able to hound guards on the perimeter, knowing that they have two 7'4 guys waiting to protect the rim.

I kind of love this idea in this mock draft I read today. Pairing these two is an exercise I'd like to see take place. If Edey pans out even a little bit, the Spurs could be a force within a year or two simply due to their defense. I say do it San Antonio. Take Zach Edey at a reasonable spot if he is available in the upcoming draft. They are trying to build around Wemby, and building means protecting the young star. This will be a great protection on the defensive end. I hope it happens and I hope it works. These two on the floor at the same time would be very cool for me to watch as a fan. Go do it. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Thoughts on EA's "Gifts" to use College Athletes NIL

Now that the NCAA Football game is officially coming out this summer, I read today that every team is involved. There is also the portal, NIL, recruiting, all the good stuff that I want in this game. This is all good news. But, I did read that players have to opt in if they want their name, image and likeness involved. I get it. It makes sense. If you are to be represented in this game, I'd figure you'd want it to look as real as possible. It would also be pretty darn cool to see yourself in a video game. I know I'd go crazy over that. All this makes sense.

What I have an issue with is the kickback from the people at EA. If a player opts in they will be given a copy of the game and 600 dollars. That all sounds very good on paper. You get a nice upfront payment and a free video game. But as I sat here today with my thoughts, I went more in depth and realized this is kind of a slap to these players. I mean, most of the players that opt in are already making much, much more than 600 bucks in the NIL world. Also, I am pretty sure that is a one time payment. It is not like they will see that money time and time again. For every fan that purchases and plays this game this summer, and for future releases, 600 dollars is chump change. These players are going to have all of their info put into this game and it only costs EA 600 dollars? That is robbery. They are going to have their face on my video screen? That should be way more than 600 bucks. I am going to buy a new system to play the game when it comes out because I do not have a system that can support this game. The two separate systems I'm looking at are in the high 400, low 500 dollar range. So I'm to believe that if a college athlete opts in, gets the 600 dollars, but has to buy a new system, they are left with 100 dollars. That is asinine. I'd, at the very least, double that money. We all know that EA has way more than that to hand out. And then they are given a copy of the game? Again, sounds fine on paper, but do these athletes really care about that? If I were to guess, this game will be around 80 dollars to buy. Great, they are saving a net total of 100 dollars by not having to buy the game if they need a new console. This is like a second thought of a gift. It feels like EA was thinking, well, 600 dollars isn't quite enough, why don't we just give them a free copy of the game? And the geniuses that work in the front office must have thought that the person that came up with that idea was the ultimate genius. They are not. This is damn near the least they could do in this scenario. And I get that they could have to hand out a big, big amount of money, but they have it, and then some. And having to give out free video games may look like it will be a bunch of money on paper, but think of all the people that are going to be buying this game as long as they continue to make it.

I have all kinds of internal issues with this, but I am going to get every new version that comes out when they come out. And I'm not a gamer. I couldn't care less about video games, except this one. EA can, and should do better by these kids. They are playing a game that is incredibly dangerous. I get it is a choice, but the vast majority of these kids are going to make their money with NIL. A good portion will not be pros, and even if they do, even more of them will not see the riches that some other football players have reached during their careers. They need to give more. They need to up the pot. Six hundred dollars is a drop in the bucket. And a free video game is a total afterthought. More consideration should have been put into this decision. But, here we are. I'm interested to see the reaction from the players. It could get spicy. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Go Get Yourself a Gochujang Snickerdoodle Cookie

I like trying different foods. There’s not much I don’t eat. I don’t like artichokes and olives. That’s about it. There’s other things I want to try. I’ve never had bone marrow. I’m interested in offal. I’d try done exotic meats. I’d like to eat durian. But, I’ve never had any of those, and I may not like them, or I could love them. Who knows. I also enjoy combo foods. I’m a fan of salty and sweet. I like combining veggies for salsa. I’ll do a chocolate covered potato chip. Give me some wild food combos, and more likely than not, I bet I’ll be a fan.

One such food I just made, and really love, is a gochujang snickerdoodle cookie. I was looking at interesting recipes online and came across a New York Times article where they mentioned this cookie. I was intrigued. When I looked at the recipe, I had most of the ingredients, and it was simple. The only outlier, gochujang.

For those that may not know, gochujang is a Korean spice. And it’s good. You may have had it without knowing it. Chinese and Japanese restaurants use it a lot. Fast food Asian inspired restaurants use it a lot. I believe my first encounter was at a Panda Express, and I’ve always been a fan. So, when I saw this recipe was calling for gochujang I decided I had to try it. Snickerdoodle cookies are my absolute favorite. A sugar cookie rolled in cinnamon and sugar? Yes please. I can eat way too many of these in one sitting. But, adding a spice that is spicy, that sounded good to me. I like a Mexican hot cocoa. I’ll eat a spiced chocolate bar. I’ve been known to add cayenne to my coffee from time to time. I thought of all those things and decided then that I was going to eat these cookies.

Again, all you do is make your basic sugar cookie. Then, instead of rolling in cinnamon and sugar, you make a mixture of butter, brown sugar and gochujang. Then you set that mixture aside while you make the cookie dough. After adding all the other stuff together, you swirl in the gochujang mixture. It almost looks like an orange cinnamon roll after swirling in the mix. Then you bake the cookies for about 13 minutes and let them totally cool before eating.

When I ate one, I loved it. It’s a sugar cookie with a Korean spice I love. Every bite your greeting with a classic cookie, but then the spice hits you. But it’s not overpowering at all. It’s nice and underlying. It’s a slow heat, which I love. My lips were tingling in the best way possible. I am a fan.

I think people who like food combos and a little spice will enjoy them. Try these out. You won’t be disappointed.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Watches "Bottoms"

Over the weekend I was finally able to see the movie "Bottoms". I remember previews for this and wanting to see it. I remember it getting very good reviews after it was released and wanting to see it even more. I remember hearing possible awards buzz surrounding the movie and wanting to see it the most. But time got away from me. The winter is the busiest time for me as far as coaching and dad duty goes. But, we had a date night, it was my turn to pick the movie and "Bottoms" was streaming on Amazon Prime for free. So we watched.

I loved this movie. I laughed at this more than most comedies that have come out in the past four or five years. The basic plot is, two nerdy, gay high school girls start a fight club to meet their crushes. That is the short version. But there is so much more on screen. First off, this is a high school spoof of a movie. When I looked up the cast, no actor was younger than 20 years old. But this was a situation where you could tell it was done with intention. The creators wanted actors that looked young, but we all know that they are not very young. This made some of the stuff we watched even funnier.

Ayo Edibiri and Rachel Sennott are the leads, and they are perfect. Sennott is the more outgoing, funny and talkative one. But, she will never be confused as a "cool" kid. Edebiri is more soft spoken. She doesn't want any trouble. She just wants to get to college. These two are sensational. When they finally get alone with their crushes, I was stoked, and then devastated for Sennott's character. These two used to be college roommates, and you can tell from their electric chemistry on screen. Sennott really keeps your attention when she talks. And the moments where Edibiri gives a speech, or does a monologue, are pretty powerful. They filled the cast with other actors that I don't really know. The crushes are played by Havana Rose Liu, this is the first thing I've seen her in, and Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford's daughter. They were excellent. Ruby Cruz is the one who kind of gets the whole fight club going. She was funny and had a solid arc. Punkie Johnson plays Edibiri's wild aunt who lives in a trailer. Zamani Wilder, Summer Joy Campbell and Virginia Tucker are members of the fight club, and all three bring some hilarious traits. The football players, namely Nicholas Galitzine and Miles Fowler, are wonderfully goofy. The whole stuff with the QB, Jeff, is riotous. And then we have Marshawn Lynch. What a star-making performance from him. He is hilarious, he pretty much improvised all of his lines, he took this role to make up for the way he reacted to his sister coming out, and he absolutely crushed. They took a chance and they were paid off tremendously by his performance. All of the actors did a wonderful job.

What most impressed me was the writing. This is an absurd movie, but it is absurd in all the best ways. The spoof of the football team's importance landed perfectly. The way teachers and administrators behave was tremendously done. How the main characters arc from nerdom to popularity and back to nerdom paid off. I was overly impressed with how well thought out and how simply insane the movie came across on screen. We need more comedies like this.

"Bottoms" is just as good as "Booksmart" and "Superbad". I actually think I may like it a bit more because of the presence of Ayo Edibiri and how ridiculous it is supposed to be. I definitely recommend watching this movie. It is very funny and very good. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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NBA All-Star Weekend Needs Some Change

The NBA all star game is starting to look more and more like the pro bowl before they went to flag football. Let’s discuss.

This is the first time in a long time that I can remember not even being interested in the all star game. I used to live for the whole weekend. I always wanted to watch the slam dunk competition. I'd tune in for the three point final. I enjoy the skills competition. I used to even watch the celebrity game to see who was actually skilled at basketball. And the way to close out the weekend was seeing the game with the best the NBA had to offer that season. These dudes used to take it semi seriously. They'd give a little bit of effort. They'd show what they could do against one another. Hell, with the addition of the Elam ending a few years back, that made the last couple of points highly competitive and fun to watch. Go back before the pandemic shut down the season. That all star ending was dramatic and fun to see. Watching LeBron and Giannis go toe to toe, that was amazing. It was cool

The NBA All-Star Game today is just a layup lane and a dunk contest. Oh, and they shoot massive amounts of threes from everywhere on the floor. I saw a clip of Damian Lillard pulling up from halfcourt. No defense was in sight and he heaved it. It went in, but it was so anticlimactic for me. This wasn't a buzzer beater. This wasn't a heat check. Lillard pulled up during an exhibition game because he figured, who cares, no one is trying or really going hard at all. I am all for scoring. I like when the games are 140-135. I do find the theater in that to be quite dramatic and engaging. But that happens when both teams are going all out. They want the win. They are trying on both ends, it just so happens that both teams are scorching from the floor. That was not the case with the clips I've seen from last night's game. Karl Anthony Towns scored 50 points, and he was never truly considered for game MVP. Tyrese Haliburton hit five threes in his first five attempts and decided that was all he was going to shoot. Luka Doncic was doing his usual bull shit that some fans love, I cannot stand it. Anthony Edwards and KAT kept throwing the ball back and forth to one another. It felt forced at times, but also incredibly boring. Looking at the stats makes this even more glaring that no one cares. KAT took 35 shots. In an all star game. KD took 12, eight of which were threes. Steph Curry missed 11 of his 17 shots, thirteen of which were from 3. Anthony Edwards only took three shots during the whole game. Lillard took 26 shots, 23 coming from 3. Bam Adebayo only took two shots, and he was a starter. Paolo Banchero and Scottie Barnes combined for 19 shots. I wanted to see more from them. Jalen Brunson took nine of his twelve shots from 3. Tyrese Maxey only got up five shots. And Jaylen Brown inexplicably took 23 shots. Awful.

It doesn't make much sense to me what they are even doing anymore. Why not more from LeBron? Anthony Edwards is an up and coming star, but he barely got any time. Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous Alexander are fun when they run up and down the floor. They didn't do that last night. No big men really do much of anything. It is bad, and getting worse. They did away with the Elam ending too, which makes zero sense to me. All in all, this was about as bad as it could get for the professional league that I think is the best in the country. The east scored over 200 points, but I don't even care this morning. The West had 186, and my thought was, that's it? That should not be the case when these types of numbers are being put up.

It wasn't just the game that didn't interest me. Mac McClung won the dunk contest again. So what? He is a G League lifer and sideshow at this point. Lillard won the 3 point contest again. Great. He's an amazing shooter. The celebrity game is dumb. The nonsense they are doing with the rookies versus sophomores game is wildly idiotic. The whole weekend is a waste for the fans. I fully understand that this is a break for these guys, and they deserve it. But to be this nonchalant and flippant is a major turnoff. I think the NBA may be better off just giving the players a week off in the middle of the season than making a select few play in an all star game. A week off may benefit everyone.

Something has got to change though. This all star game was very, very cringey. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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An Ode to the All Stars of "Comedy Bang! Bang!"

Anytime I download my podcasts in my library, every Monday there's a new episode of "CBB". This is my favorite podcast. It wasn't my introduction to this world, but it is the one I've stuck with the longest. Other shows come and go, but "CBB" has always been there. The only Patreon I subscribe to is "CBB World". I'm a big fan.

Whenever I see that the guestlist includes Jason Mantzoukas, I get stoked. I want to listen right away. Jason Mantzoukas is hilarious. He makes me laugh during any podcast appearance, any tv appearance and any movie appearance. The guy is funny, has great comedic timing and knows how to really sell the jokes in any setting. He is a great comic foil for Scott Aukerman. They have a great rapport and it is some of the best podcasting out there. Mantzoukas co-hosts his own podcast, the dynamite "How Did This Get Made", where he is just as funny, and a little crazy. When he appears on  "CBB", he is much calmer and more there to enjoy. That is my favorite version of Jason Mantzoukas.

Then, when I see Andy Daly's name on the list, I get even more pumped to listen. Daly is one of the most underrated comedy actors out there. "Review" is one of the best, and least seen, shows I have ever watched. He is hilarious on "Eastbound and Down". He shows up for little character arcs in shows from time to time and he is the best when he does that. He also has his own little podcast empire with all the characters he has created on "CBB", and those shows are wonderful as well. I enjoy most of the characters he plays, but Dalton Wilcox has to be one of the best. I am also fond of Hot Dog. And then when you pair him and Mantzoukas together on "CBB", I know I'm going to have a good time, and I'm going to be smacking my leg cracking up. Those two, combined with Aukerman make for some of the best comedy podcast listening out there.

Then we have Paul F Tompkins. He is on "CBB" a bunch. He and Aukerman are good, long friends. They have been working together since "Mr Show". They have seen things, done things and seem to have an absolute blast whenever they get together on mic. PFT is one of those performers that I know will make me laugh and will not disappoint. He is, as much as he may not like this, a podcast pro and is amazing at what he does when he is on any podcast. So, when PFT, Andy Daly and Jason Mantzoukas are on separate from each other, it is wildly funny and successful. Put them all on with Aukerman running the show, that is comedy dynamite.

This is what we got this past Monday. All of them were there and all of them were great. Daly and PFT played an abundance of characters the whole time. They were jumping back and forth between the plethora of the people they have done on the show in the past. Mantzoukas and Aukerman were egging them on and continuously adding more and more people for them to play. And like the pros they are, Daly and PFT ran with it and made this one of the best episodes of the best podcast I have ever heard. I was cleaning my house while listening to the episode and I had to stop multiple times due to how hard I was laughing. I was literally cackling walking around the house all morning long. I didn't want the episode to end. I could have listened for hours and hours. It was a perfect episode of "CBB".

I cannot recommend it enough, especially if you are on the fence about the show. This is a perfect starting point for any new fans. These are the best of the best. It is all you could want in an improv comedy show. I have it saved to listen to again, and I cannot wait until they are all back together in the next year or so to do it all over again. This was gold. Check it out. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Wants to Play EA Sports College Football 25

Well, after eleven years and seemingly endless roadblocks, NCAA Football from EA Sports is finally coming out this summer. I am beyond excited.

This is the one and only video game that I have ever been really good at, and that I enjoy playing. RD and I used to play this game a ton when we lived together. When my wife and I started dating this was the video game I showed her when she asked if I liked playing video games. I've talked to my son about this game as being the only video game that I have ever truly liked. And the fact that it is coming back has been extra pumped.

I have watched the trailer multiple times already. RD texted me this morning to let me know the news, and I almost didn't believe him at first. As I said, I had heard the rumors. I bought into the rumors. I have been ready ever since the last version came out. When they announced that they were going to stop making the game, I would go on my Xbox and buy the old version to play. I played it a ton at the start of the pandemic because I still had the old version. But it fully went away on my Xbox a few years ago. I tried to search for it in the store to no avail. I heard that you could buy a version of the game, but it was wildly expensive, and you had to have way more computer knowledge than I have ever had in my life. I tried to buy games that the reviewers said were similar, but it was not the real thing. Not even close. So I have been just waiting.

My son will ask me from time to time what video game I would buy if I could buy any game. I have always told him it is NCAA Football. And I was going to wait for it to come back before I bought a new game. I don't care if I have to buy a new system. I hope they have it for Xbox, but if I need to get a Playstation, I'm going to be more than ready to have that talk with the family. If I need to upgrade my Xbox, you better believe that is in the cards.

When I get this game, you better believe I'm going to play it until I'm as good as I used to be. I will sit down and give this video game my attention. I will take my beloved Wolverines and keep them at the top of the college football world. I will jump back into the dynasty version. I'll figure out the transfer portal. I'll do the recruiting. I'll find the plays that work best. I'll make my team a fun run and gun squad. I'll have an attacking and menacing defense. Punts, never heard of them. I will challenge any and all comers. RD can tell you about my prowess with this game. I used to beat his super teams he'd create with Michigan. This is my game. I love it. I'm here for it.

I am so ready, willing and able to play. I am so stoked. I cannot wait. When the next update comes in May I'll be waiting with bated breath. And when the game comes out, I'll be getting it on release day. This is good news and I have never been this ready for a new video game to come out. This is rad. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Don't Be a Gatekeeper

I've been gatekeeping my son as far as his fandom goes with sports. If you are not familiar with what I'm talking about, as far as gatekeeping, I find myself giving my son a hard time about which professional sports teams he chooses to root for. He is 12, and has been a pretty big sports fan for about four years now.

My son was always into sports, but recently, after playing competitive sports, he has become even more of a fan. But his favorite teams seem to change yearly. When the Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl in 2021, he was a fan. Last season he loved the Eagles. This year he glombed onto the Lions. All of these teams have had a glow up in the past four years. As far as the NBA, he became a Bulls fan when he started watching. They were not the champs, but they were a playoff team. He chose DeMar DeRozan as his favorite player and he has followed him ever since. He does like other teams though. He was a Lakers fan pre pandemic. He is now a Pacers fan since my dad and I took him to a game last year. He likes the Thunder and the Nuggets. Again, all teams that have blown up recently, with the Lakers being the exception. And with the MLB, he was born into a good fan situation being born in Saint Louis. We have the Cardinals. And even though they struggled last year, they are always good. But he also likes Shohei Ohtani, so he is now a Dodgers fan. He likes Atlanta. He finds himself watching the Rays and the Blue Jays during the last baseball season. All of these teams are perennially solid.

When I sit with this on my own, I have let it frustrate me lately. I've been a Michigan Wolverines fan my whole life. That was the first team I truly rooted for, and now I'm a super fan. This past season was amazing. As for the MLB, I'm a Cardinals fan. That is the only STL based team I openly root for. I'm a Packers fan due to my father. And I love the Memphis Grizzlies. These are my teams, and with the exception being the Grizzlies, I was a massive Seattle Supersonics fan as a kid, I have always been a fan of these teams. But if I sit down and look at it, the one team I love the most is Michigan football. I'm fully invested in them. They are my true one and only squad. But that is just me. I know others feel the same about their team.

As adults, we all have certain teams that we root for, and will always root for. So for me to tell my son who he should and shouldn't root for, who do I think I am? I am not allowed to pick his favorite team. I want him to find this out on his own. He doesn't have to root for who I like. He doesn't have to root for his hometown teams. I've always found that you are supposed to root for your hometown team dumb. There is no reason that you have to like a team based on location. That is absurd. Like whoever you want to like. Just as in life. As long as you aren't hurting anyone. I have heard a lot of younger actors that I listen to on podcasts getting in their bag as gatekeeping fans and it has irked me quite a bit. Just because they live in LA doesn't mean we all have to be Clippers or Lakers fans. And if they like those teams, great, but don't force your fandom on me, or judge me for liking Michigan just because I was born and raised in the STL.

I need to let my kid root for who he wants. If he now wants to be a Chiefs fan, more power to him. He is a kid and kids usually gravitate towards a team that wins. I'm sure I did this outside of my Michigan fandom. But I guess what I am trying to really say today, don't judge people based on where they are from and who they root for. Who cares? Sports are entertainment and it is not my place to tell people how they should enjoy watching and cheering for particular teams and players. Just let it go and enjoy being a fan of whatever team you adopted. Don't gatekeep anyone else's fandom but your own. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Plays Retro Bowl

My son plays his Nintendo Switch a lot. I’m not much of a gamer, as you all know, but time to time I’ll play the Switch just to pass the time. It can be a good way to turn my brain off for a bit. I’ve mentioned playing MLB The Show before on the site. I play NBA2k a little here and there. We play Mario Kart and Mario Party as a family. The Switch gets used.

Recently though my son has been telling me to play Retro Bowl. He knows I have a lot of love for Tecmo Bowl. I played that game quite a bit when I was a kid. It was either Tecmo Bowl or NBA Jam for me when I was in middle school. But when my son told me Retro Bowl was similar to Tecmo Bowl, I was skeptical. The other day I grabbed the Switch while some reality show was on and I was not feeling The Show. I go through this with games. I get really into them for a few weeks, but when I’m done, I’m done. That is where I am currently with The Show. So I decided to give Retro Bowl a try.

When I turned the game on, it definitely had a similar look to Tecmo Bowl. That made me smile. I was a little turned off when it wouldn’t let me be the Packers right away though. But as I got more into the game, it definitely got more fun. I was getting real Tecmo Bowl vibes. It’s so simple to play. In Retro Bowl I don’t even have to pick a play. It’s not much, but when I play a game wherein I have less decisions to make, that’s a feather in its cap. So, after being given the Arizona Cardinals, I started to play and was instantly in. The passing is so easy. Move the cursor, press a button and hope you don’t throw a pick. When you catch it, that’s when you can make a move or two, but pressing one button. The same goes with the run game. You press one button, the qb hands it off and then it’s up to you to get yards as the running back. As for defense, you don’t have to play. It simulates it all for you. That makes the game go by super quickly. I can finish a game in about eight minutes. That means I can do more than 1/3 of the season in less than an hour. It’s a little more involved than Tecmo Bowl with the weekly stuff you do. You can make players, facilities and your stadium better by spending coins you earn. You can sign and trade players. You get to draft new players yearly. You can make decisions on coaches both during and after the year. And then you go and play more games.

I have found myself enjoying this game a lot. I think about it from time to time during the day after I’ve already played it. It took me five seasons, but I just won my first Retro Bowl. I’ve taken the Cardinals to the top of the Retro Bowl mountain. And now I have to decide if I want to stay or build up a new team.

I recommend this game for sports fans, especially ones my age that once loved Tecmo Bowl. It’s a nice comparison to the OG Nintendo football game. Retro Bowl is a blast. I can’t wait to play it later today.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Hail to the Chiefs, Again

The Chiefs are back to back Super Bowl champs. They did what was necessary to stay in the game, and eventually, as they have seemed to do the past six years, pulled the game out in the end.

I watched because, of course, I was going to watch. I am a football fan and the Super Bowl marks the end of the football season. My folks joined us, we had a good spread and it was a good time. But the game didn't really kick into gear for a long time. This was a very boring game for three and half quarters. Each team traded punts for a good while. The 49ers made it exciting for a second when they did a wideout pass for a td. That was a good, and much needed play in a very boring first half. Patrick Mahomes was playing tentatively. The 49ers would go on long drives and stall out. Both teams played relatively clean football. There weren't too many penalties. It was a slog. I think it was 10-3 at halftime, and I was getting vibes from the Rams-Patriots Super Bowl a few seasons back that ended with a score of 13-3. This was a defensive struggle.

The halftime show sounded good. I did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, but my wife and son said it sounded pretty good. I also read that he had a pretty tight sounding guest appearance list. Anytime Ludacris is on tv rapping, I love that.

Then we got into the second half, which for the majority of the third quarter was playing out like the first half. There were punts galore. Then the Chiefs got a break. It was 10-6 and the Chiefs proceeded to go three and out for what seemed like the millionth time. They punted, but the ball hit a 49er, the returner tried to grab the ball but fumbled, and the Chiefs scooped it up. They scored on the very next play with a very, very well called play. The routes from the receivers were glorious to watch. The 49ers didn't quit. They went right down the field and scored. Jajuan Jennings was playing out of his mind. But the extra point got blocked. The Chiefs only needed a field goal. They drove and got it. The game was getting more exciting. Both teams may have been settling for field goals, but at least they were putting together drives and making this Super Bowl fun to watch. With a little less than two minutes left the 49ers had a three point lead and the Chiefs got the ball. This was a dope drive. Mahomes was finally making plays. He started to play with the energy he usually brings, and it was dope to see. They had it at the 10 with about ten seconds left and tried to get a td. They didn't get it, but Butker hit an easy field goal and we headed to overtime.

The fact that I read today that the 49ers were not aware of the new overtime rules makes this ending even more hilarious to me. The 49ers got the ball and drove it right down the field. It looked like they were going to easily punch it in. But the Chiefs finally pressured Brock Purdy and he showed his flaws. They settled for a field goal and then it was the Chiefs turn. And they took it right down the field. The Chiefs finally ran the offense that worked for them. Mahomes was getting the ball out quick and letting his wideouts do their thing. Isaiah Pachecho was running with power and speed. They got all the way inside the 10 with less than ten seconds left. And they played out the clock so well. That final play was icing on the cake. The way Mecole Hardman came out of his break, and was wide open, that was a thing of beauty. Mahomes easily put it on his numbers and that was that. The Chiefs had repeated.

It was dope. I had no rooting interest other than the fact that I have always been a hater of the 49ers. The Super Bowl may have taken a good long while to get good, but when it got good, it got pretty damn good. Both of these teams went back and forth and it was good to see them put it together near the end of the game. Patrick Mahomes got the MVP, which felt deserved with the way he finished the game. It was good to see and I immediately went to bed after the game was over. The better team won, the halftime show was good and the food was dynamite. All in all, it was a good way to spend the Super Bowl. On to next season. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Where are the All Star NBA Dunkers

The NBA dunk contest field is set, and it is not great.

I used to live for the dunk contest. It was my favorite part of NBA all star weekend. This was when Vince Carter would show up and wow the fans. His dunk contest is still the GOAT dunk contest ever. But it started to wane when they gave contestants as much time as they needed to complete a dunk. It was pretty unwatchable back then. They decided to put a time limit on dunks, and that made it much better. This was when we got the Zach Lavine and Aaron Gordon contests that were only bested by Vince Carter. Hell, even when Victor Oladipo showed up and did a dunk in the Black Panther mask, it was still pretty dope.

Now the stars are not entering the contest. We are starting to get backup players and G League players. I fully understand why LeBron has never entered. He has nothing to prove. But why don't we have players like Anthony Edwards joining? Where is a guy like Obi Toppin? How come Ja Morant has never been here? Why does Zion Williamson opt out every season? I mean, it is because they don't want to get hurt, but come on. Michael Jordan was in a dunk contest when he was young. Larry Nance wowed the crowd. Julius Erving did some wild dunks. We need some young star players to get in this contest again. That will make it fun.

This season, and no disrespect to these guys, they are better athletes than I could ever dream of being, it is a bunch of no names, minus one guy that I don't think of as a dunker when I watch him play. The biggest name is Jaylen Brown. And he can do some powerful stuff when he decides he wants to. But he is more of a slasher/three point shooter. He has one, maybe 2 highlight dunks in his whole career. He is wildly athletic. He can jump out of the gym. But I don't think he is really going to bring it this season. The Celtics have a real shot to win the finals this year, and he is a very important player for them. They need him to be healthy for the stretch run. I think he will dunk it hard, but I don't expect true fireworks from him. Then we have KJ Martin. He is a fine dunker. He is a fine leaper. He can maybe do some cool stuff. But the guy is a lifelong backup, and he doesn't have the charisma that Nate Robinson had when he was joining dunk contests. I don't think people outside of true NBA fandom really know who KJ Martin is as a player. Hell, I forgot he was in the contest until my 12 year reminded me. Then we have two G League guys. Mac McClung is back to defend his win from last season. McClung at this point is a sideshow. He is never going to be a viable NBA player, but the NBA seems more than happy to roll him out for the dunk contest. He is like those guys that go to driving ranges and wack the ball as far as they can. He is a freakshow. He is someone who comes out to do some dunks and then goes back into his G League hole. And then we have Jacob Toppin. This is, by far, the lesser of the two Toppin's playing professional basketball. I'm sure he is a fine leaper, but who really cares about him being here? I sure as hell don't. I don't even know what team he is currently on and how much run he actually gets game to game.

This is a less than stellar field. I have no real will to watch this season. I hope I'm proven wrong, but probably not. I'm sure the NBA doesn't really care about the contestants, but the fans should. This is a bummer. The whole all star weekend is becoming kind of a drag and kind of pointless. I get that the players need the break, but some changes have got to be made. The NBA is usually pretty great about trying new things out and making it fun and enjoyable. They need to do that with all star weekend sooner rather than later. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Ty Watches "Curb Your Enthusiasm" 14th Season Premiere

The 14th, and final season, of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" premiered this past Sunday. My wife and I didn't get to see it until Monday, but all the same, it was awesome.

The thing I like most about this show, what has kept me coming back for each new season, you never really feel like it left. It picks right back up where we left off after last season, and we are in it. That makes me happy to be a fan. They don't have to rehash every storyline from the previous season. They use the main story, add a little detail from other seasons, but all in all, each new season is, and feels, new. Larry David and the writers deduced they were going to keep his new show and Maria Sofia this time around. That is kind of perfect because it helps the viewer understand why David and all his people can continue to live their lavish lives. His show is a hit, he is asked to appear at parties with Maria Sofia and they do, although David is not too thrilled. And then we are thrust into the new season.

This is the last go round, that is what everyone involved with the show keeps telling us, so we are instantly put into uncomfortable situations. Larry goes to Atlanta to appear at a party of a lifelong fan. Before going though they stop off at Auntie Ray's house in Atlanta. Auntie Ray was one of the family members displaced by the hurricane in season five I believe. She and Larry are all lovey dovey with one another until she tries on his glasses. Larry is convinced she bent them and they have a pretty epic screaming match. Leon is there, of course, and he adds his usual hilarity. Maria Sofia and Larry are at it at every step, so all of this just adds to his frustration over the glasses. We then get classic Larry David stuff. He wants to call a party guest by a nickname, but they don't want him to call her that. This irks Larry and he will not rest until he knows why he cannot call her by this name. He won't take pictures with the party guests. Leon eats the birthday cake before it is presented. David feigns interest during conversation. He gets into a fight with the maid at his hotel. He has to wear Auntie Ray's glasses everywhere. Jeff tells him he may not get paid for his appearance because of his attitude at said party. It is all the classic things you have grown to love about the show made better by the three years since it was last on air.

David knows what he is doing because he may be the best writer in comedic television history. He is gruff and mean and angry all the time, but that is what I love about the character. Leon is back and funnier than ever. Jeff and Susie are there to go along with and antagonize. Cheryl and Ted Danson are going to come up most assuredly. I cannot wait to see Vince Vaughn. I have to assume Richard Lewis will make appearances. And now we have Maria Sofia.

I cannot wait to see how they close this all out and I'm going to relish every moment of this final season. If the season premiere is any indication, this is going to be a rock solid season of one of the best comedies of all time on tv. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Watches "Self Reliance"

Before watching "Saltburn" I watched "Self Reliance". I heard a lot about this movie prior to watching it. I'm a Jake Johnson fan, and he has been on a bit of a podcast media tour promoting this movie. All I needed was to hear the plot and I was in.

The long and short of it all, Johnson's character gets asked to be on the dark web's number one reality show where he is being hunted. If he can last for 30 days he wins a million dollars. The catch, he cannot be alone. Ever. If he is with someone else, he cannot be harmed. The people who run the show will not go after him as long as he is with someone. Sounds intense, right? Well, while there are some wild scenes, scenes that made me jump, this is a pretty funny movie too. Johnson said as much during all of his podcast appearances. The movie is also a tight 90 minutes. This has everything I want in a movie. It is all wrapped in a nice little package that is wildly easy to digest. So when I watched, I had pretty high hopes.

The movie hit them all. From start to finish I was in. I am a fan of Johnson, especially when he does stuff that is a change of pace from "New Girl". Here he is a down on his luck dude that wants some more excitement in his life. And when Andy Samberg shows up, playing himself, that is just another feather in the movie's cap. I am a very, very big Samberg fan. And when Johnson decides to take this opportunity, that is when the movie achieves its goal. It is a pretty wild ride from there on out. Johnson tries to tell his family and they do not believe him at all. They think he is losing it. There are moments where I kind of thought he was going through a mental break. Johnson decides to hire an unhoused person, played by Biff Wiff, and they have some nice chemistry with each other. I liked the way they played off one another. Johnson eventually meets up with Anna Kendrick and they form an alliance. The two of them have worked together before, and it shows on screen. I liked watching the two of them in scenes together. I would totally buy them as a couple. But, the whole idea for this movie, the dark web reality hunting show, is always a threat. At any moment I thought that Johnson could get bumped off, and that kept me on edge. Whenever he was alone, even for the brief moments he was, it legitimately scared me. And Johnson played that very well. I truly loved that when it was all going down, he would implore his family members that this was all real, but they still brushed it off, with hilarious results. When he calls his mom at work, that was a pretty wonderfully hilarious scene. When she mispronounces Andy Samberg's name, that was comedy gold. Even as the movie builds to its conclusion, the immediate threat and disbelief from everyone else, it is still there and still freaks me out. Johnson plays all this so well. You could tell this movie was a labor of love. I read that he wrote it during the lockdown when COVID was raging. That shows. But it is not a pandemic movie. That much is clear.

I definitely recommend watching this movie. It has good genre blending and it is a nice, quick watch. I enjoyed the hell out of it, and I think you will too. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Watches "Saltburn"

My wife and I sat down and watched "Saltburn" this past weekend. We have seen a bunch of reels on Instagram. We have read the things people have been saying about the movie, while avoiding spoilers. After doing all this research we both decided we had to watch. So we did.

I do not know that I have ever seen a movie this bizarre, and I've seen a bunch of weird movies. I like movies that try something different, something people haven't really seen yet. "Saltburn" takes that and really runs with it. So, my first push to watch this movie came about when I heard that the director also directed "Promising Young Woman". I love that movie. It was one of my favorites. So when a new movie by her was announced, I was intrigued. Then I saw and read all that stuff, so that made me even more in. Again, this is the most bizarre movie I've ever watched. I am very glad that I came into it blind, but holy hell was this a ride. I am going to reveal some things in this blog, but if you haven't seen the movie yet and plan to, stop reading and come back and finish after you watch.

The movie starts out nice and normal. It shows a kid going off to college and trying to make friends. All the while he has his eye on the cool kids. He eventually starts to hang out with them and build relationships. He becomes such good friends with the hot guy, Felix, played by Jacob Elordi, that Felix invites him to stay at their home, Saltburn, for the summer. He agrees and this is where the movie gets truly nuts. Things start to get odd at the halfway point. Ollie, played by Barry Keoghan, has this weird, odd way of interacting with people. He seems shy and coy. He doesn't want to disturb anyone until it is fruitful for him. Felix's sister waits for him one night outside his room. He goes down to her only to turn her away. she does it again and this is the first gross thing that happens. He starts to pleasure her with his fingers and she pushes back, saying it isn't the right time of the month for her. He responds with one of the grossest lines ever muttered, "good thing I'm a vampire". You can use your imagination of what happens next. I had to cover my eyes during this scene. I'm not kink shaming anyone or anything, but that just isn't for me. When Ollie kind of rejects her the next morning, she is mad, but everyone moves on. From there we see Ollie drink bathtub water that Felix has ejaculated in. He also gives hand pleasure to Farley, all the while telling him to "be a good boy". He goes along with the mom and dad, played by Rosamund Pike and Richard E Grant, when they act like everything is okay even when horrible things are happening all around them. He drugs people and kills them when he deems fit. He leaves, but comes back and takes over the home. He does cocaine and dances in the nude. He has no remorse. It is devastating and terrifying.

When the movie was done I was flabbergasted. I didn't know if I liked it or hated it. I couldn't figure out what I was watching and why all these things were happening. I was highly impressed by the acting because the portrayals of everyone made them unlikable. But the thing in this movie's favor, I haven't stopped thinking about it for three straight days. I will be doing something and, pop, a scene in the movie will replay in my head and I will think about it and pour over it. I can't seem to shake this movie. I think the writers, director and actors did an amazing job because this is a movie that I will think about a bunch. I want to say, if you do decide to watch this movie, it is crazy. You will see things that will make you uncomfortable. You will squirm. You will cover your eyes. But you will not be able to shake it from your mind. It will stay with you.

So, would I recommend this movie? Yes, if you are prepared to be uncomfortable. But go in with all the aforementioned warnings. "Saltburn" is a crazy, messed up movie and will rock your brain. That can be good or bad, that is up to you. Watch at your own risk. But I do think this is a solid movie. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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R.I.P. Carl Weathers

I've watched some good movies and tv shows over the weekend, but starting out the week on my blog, I have to write about the passing of Carl Weathers.

This one hurt as a fan. I have seen and enjoyed a bunch of Weathers' work. I loved "Rocky" and "Rocky 2". I was such a fan. I had never seen a movie up to that point where the hero didn't necessarily win in the end. Rocky learned a lesson. And the person who taught him that lesson was Apollo Creed, portrayed by Weathers. Apollo Creed was my introduction to Carl Weathers the actor. I was instantly hooked.

After seeing the "Rocky" movies that Weathers appeared in, I searched for his other stuff. I love the original "Predator". I didn't appreciate it when I watched it as a teen, but I love it now. He was in the James Brown video "Living in America" playing Apollo Creed. They used this in "Rocky 4", where his character gets punched to death. That was tragic. I have not yet seen "Action Jackson", but that is going to change soon. I now have to see this movie. He was in "The Comebacks", which is an awful movie, but I enjoyed his role. And recently I saw him in "The Mandalorian", where he has a major role. I wonder how they will show his character now?

But where Carl Weathers really came into my consciousness, where I really became a lifelong fan, was "Happy Gilmore". I love this movie with all of my heart. It is one of my all time favorites. I am an avid Adam Sandler fan. I'm unapologetic about my fandom for him. So when he released "Happy Gilmore", of course I watched it on opening day, and a bunch more times since then. And what has always made me come back to it, why I never get tired of it is Weathers' performance as Chubbs. He is my absolute favorite character in that movie. I have never gotten tired of watching him in this movie. I have never grown tired of the movie in general, but Weathers performance as Chubbs is the absolute cherry on top. My only other times watching Weathers was in action or serious roles, usually both combined. Even in "The Mandalorian" he is pretty serious. But in "Happy Gilmore" he is hilarious. He plays the straight man opposite Sandler and he absolutely nails it. He also has a wooden hand due to an alligator biting his hand off. When he reveals this it is one of the funniest moments in movie history for me. He puts his wooden hand up and says, "damn alligator bit my hand off!". Sandler recoils, but Weathers never breaks. He continues to tell Sandler his character's back story. From that moment on in the movie he had me hooked. When he coaches other golfers, his demeanor is so bored and uninspired. It is great. When he takes him to the mini golf course, I love that whole thing. When he grabs him from behind and starts swinging him back and forth and saying "it's all in the hips", that is gold in that movie. Everything Weathers does as Chubbs is perfect. I can watch it over and over again and find new things he does in "Happy Gilmore" that make me smile. This was where my fandom went up another notch. I love him in this movie.

Carl Weathers passing is a true bummer. He still had a bunch of work left to do, but now he is gone. Rest in Peace Carl Weathers. You will be missed. I hope to see you, the alligator and Abraham Lincoln smiling down at me at some point in my life. That would be a dream. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Happy Retirement Teddy Bridgewater

It was announced this morning that Teddy Bridgewater retired from the NFL. I bet a lot of you don't know that name, or are saying to yourselves, I remember him.

Teddy Bridgewater never really got a true chance in the NFL due to injury and circumstance. But, he was one of the better high school and college players that we have ever witnessed. The high school he played for, where he is now head coach, named the field after him. As a sophomore he took over the team and led them to a 13-3 record. As a junior he set multiple records, including one game in which he had seven touchdowns. He was named an All American and led his team to a 10-2 record. As a senior he battled through injury, but still led his team to a runner up finish. In his limited play he still went over 2,600 yards and 22 tds. He was an Army All American and was the sixth best prospect in his class. He originally committed to Miami, but opted to play college football at Louisville. He started four games into his freshman season there and never really looked back. He went for over 2,100 yards and 14 tds as a true freshman. He was voted Big East rookie of the year and a second team freshman All American. As a sophomore, Louisville won the Big East, Bridgewater threw for 3,400 yards and 25 tds and Louisville went to a BCS bowl against Florida. He was named the Big East offensive player of the year and was 7th in the country in passer efficiency. Again, he did all of this as a true sophomore playing high level college football. Bridgewater would go on to torch Florida in the Sugar Bowl and win MVP of the game. As a junior he threw for nearly 4,000 yards. He had 31 td passes. He scorched Miami in the Russell Athletic Bowl to the tune of 447 passing yards and 3 tds. He was named MVP of that game as well.

Having nothing left to prove, he declared for the draft. He was one of the top prospects in his draft class, behind only Jadaveon Clowney. Many people thought he could be the first overall pick. He was not the first pick though, falling all the way to the end of the first round, being selected 32nd overall by the Minnesota Vikings. Some QBs taken ahead of him are guys like Blake Bortles and Johnny Manziel. I would much rather have had Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater ended up starting for the Vikings during his rookie season due to injuries to other QBs. He finished the season throwing for 2,900 plus yards. He was also the fan choice for offensive rookie of the year. Things were looking pretty solid for him. He struggled a bit to start his second NFL season, but eventually found his footing. He ended that season with 3200 yards passing and 14 tds. The Vikings won the division and he was named to the Pro Bowl. They made the playoffs. He was starting to figure it out it seemed.

Then, during a practice entering his third year he tore his ACL in a non contact drill. He also dislocated his knee. He was done for the year before it even started. His injury proved to be much worse than what was originally reported. He had to miss all of the 2017 season to recover. It took 19 months to recover from the catastrophic damage done to his knee. The Vikings declined his option and he was a free agent. Then it was just floating around and no real opportunities given to Bridgewater. In 2018 he spent time with the Jets and Saints. He appeared in garbage time and he started one game when the Saints had wrapped up the 1 seed. He was a full fledged backup at this point. He did start for a bit in 2019 due to injury, but he was never really the guy for the Saints. He was Brees' backup. In the offseason, Bridgewater left the Saints for the Carolina Panthers, getting a pretty good contract. The 2020 season was good for him. He got to play a bunch, he set personal records and looked to be somewhat back. But he was traded next season when the Panthers brought in Sam Darnold. That irked me as a person who wanted Bridgewater to succeed. The Panthers gave up on him for Sam Darnold. That is a true bummer. He caught on with the Broncos, but he was never really given command of the team while there. He got a concussion in week 15 and was done for the year. He then signed with the Dolphins, but they had just drafted Tua. He started later that season but broke his finger on his throwing hand and was done in Miami. He caught on this past season with Detroit and was more known for wearing number 53 during the preseason than anything he did on the field.

Bridgewater is walking away with 15,000 plus passing yards, 87 passing tds, 844 rush yards and 11 rushing tds in his career. He went to the playoffs as a starter only once, and his team was beaten. His career was solid, but not what it could have truly been in the long run. He had everything you could have wanted in a QB. He could make all the throws and run if needed. He was smart, nice and coachable. Injuries killed what could have been a much more memorable stay in the NFL. But he made it. He came back from injury. He stuck it out for almost ten seasons. He was a plug and play guy. I don't want his name to just fade away in the collective memory of football fans. Teddy Bridgewater was dominant in college and had the makings to be dominant in the NFL.

Enjoy retirement and enjoy coaching at your alma mater. You have earned all the good things in life Teddy Bridgewater. Football is going to miss you. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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An Ode to the Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie I Ate for Breakfast

I watch a good amount of cooking videos. They calm me down at the end of the day. I like the soft music they play, the food always looks good and I get a ton of ideas for new recipes while watching. Dessert videos have become my absolute favorite. I have a sweet tooth, I like almost all desserts and most of these videos make the food look extra delicious.

One thing I have seen a lot of lately, but haven't tried yet, is people cooking food in brown butter. It is pretty self explanatory. You put butter in a pan and cook it until it goes from gold to brown. I always think it looks good, but as I said, I have not had it, nor have I made anything with brown butter yet. That changed this morning.

I went out for coffee with my dad, and since I hadn't eaten breakfast, I helped myself to a brown butter chocolate chip cookie. Yep, dessert for breakfast today. I don't see how eating a cookie is any different from eating waffles or pancakes. Anyway, this cookie was divine. It was a big, big cookie too. I got it to go, with my espresso and tonic, the best iced coffee drink in my opinion, and the cookie filled the entire bag. When I took it out it looked different from most cookies. This one was darker. Most chocolate chip cookies have a lighter, closer to whiter color. This one was dark. It was almost caramel colored. I was instantly intrigued. I have seen other cookies this color, but not chocolate chip. And the chips in this cookie were the biggest chips I've seen. They were almost Hershey Kiss size. There were only three or four chips in the cookie, but that was more than enough.

Back to the taste of the cookie.

The first bite was pretty amazing. That is the sign if food will be great, okay or bad, that first bite. And this delivered in flavor. There was salt and sweet, but it was not overly sweet at all. That is a big sign of a solid cookie for me. If the baker does a good job of parsing the ingredients properly, the pastry or cookie or whatever should be dynamite. This baker nailed it. Then there was this nutty flavor. This was totally new to me. I have had a lot of cookies in my life. A lot. This was a whole new world for me. I have to imagine this comes from browning the butter. I don't know where else the nuttiness could have come from. When you combine that brown butter with flour, eggs, sugar and salt, and whatever else they add, that is a wonderful combination of awesome flavors. I enjoyed every last bit of this cookie. I had my dad try it and he was equally impressed. He also appreciated the balance of ingredients. My dad is not a big time sweets guy, so for him to enjoy a cookie this much, that is a big deal. And when we chatted about the cookie, we both came back to the brown butter aspect. This has to be the magical/secret ingredient that really made the sweet sing.

I am a fan and will be using brown butter much more often. I am eager to try it at home now. I think using it in a pasta dish could be a magical addition. If you all have not had brown butter yet, I highly recommend giving it a taste. It is very, very good stuff. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Leon Black, The MVP of "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

The final season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" premieres this Sunday. Everyone involved has said that this is it, and I fully believe them. I don't think this is one of those situations where people say this is the end but then decide to come back for a movie or reunion. This has a real finale feel. I also tend to believe that Larry David is done with this show too, and he doesn't seem like the type to go back on this. So, with that being said, I want to shout out an actor that turned this show from great to classic.

The first couple seasons of this show were great. They laid the groundwork. We got to know who the main characters are, how they act and live day to day. The show was also hilarious. I loved everything with Larry and Cheryl. The stuff with his dad was phenomenal. The stuff with Cheryl's family was great. Getting to know Susie and Jeff really let us into those characters' lives. Seeing how Larry David interacted with the people he used to work with was pretty excellent. The show worked. But, when they decided to do their thing with Hurricane Katrina, and write it into the show in their own way, this is where the show skyrocketed to being one of the best things in television history.

During the season 6 premiere the audience is introduced to the Black's. They are the family whose house was destroyed from the flood and the David's took them into their home. We get to meet the mom, the aunt and the kids right away. But it wasn't until the next day that we were introduced to Leon Black. Leon might be the greatest side character of all time. JB Smoove absolutely knocks this role out of the goddamn park. It feels like Smoove was destined to play this role. He is too perfect here. The whole idea of the show is, with each storyline, they improvise. There are never any true scripts. They get an idea of what each episode will be about, but there are never any written lines. Or at least that is what I have read. This fits right into Smoove's wheelhouse. He is a true comedian and an excellent comedic actor. He improvises so well with David, Susie Essman and Jeff Garlin. It feels like he makes them go up a level. Everytime he and David get into a shouting match I know it is going to be hilarious. When he starts to talk about Leon's past life experiences, it is so, so funny. When he reminisces I cannot control my laughter. I watched an older episode the other night where Leon and David come up with an idea for Leon to be a "house husband". This means he goes and helps his friends get better deals on home improvement projects. It all blows up in their faces, and Smoove is there to play this all for big time laughs. I also love the episode where we see the Black's leave Larry's house, after he and Cheryl split, and Leon walks up, seeing his family leaving. When Larry asks what he is going to do, Leon tells him he is going to go inside and eat his Chinese food, securing his place in Larry's house. Since that moment they have been roommates and friends. They've gone to Paris together. They have their businesses. Leon played a fake doctor for him. He has been his assistant. He talks to him about his lovelife and Larry's could be better. He despises Irma more than Larry I think. They are inseparable, and we are all reaping the rewards of getting to watch them go on this journey as a team.

I cannot wait to see what they do in this final season, but more so for me, I want to see how they wrap Leon's story. That is what I'm here for. I cannot wait. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

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SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.