Bill and Guiliana Rancic at the NIVEA Kiss Platform in Times Square for New Years Eve

Bill and Guiliana Rancic, co-hosts of the NIVEA Kiss Platform in Times Square, help others Prepare to be Kissed on New Years Eve 2011 (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for NIVEA)
Content © 2010 Getty Images All rights reserved.

 

Fireworks light up the London skyline after midnight

Fireworks light up the London skyline and Big Ben just after midnight on January 1, 2011 in London, England. Thousands of people lined the banks of the River Thames in central London to see in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images). Content © 2010 Getty Images All rights reserved.

 

PAULA ABDUL DISCUSSES HER CAREER AND THE PUBLIC’S MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HER IN A CANDID INTERVIEW WITH CBS’s JULIE CHEN TO BE BROADCAST THIS WEEKEND ON “CBS SUNDAY MORNING”

From her love life to her career, to her sometimes loopy behavior on television, entertainer Paula Abdul has always generated attention. As she prepares for the premiere of her new CBS reality-competition series LIVE TO DANCE, Abdul speaks candidly with Julie Chen about what inspired her to become a performer, the public’s misconceptions about her, rumors of drug and alcohol abuse and says there’s is a new man in her life — in an interview to be broadcast this weekend on CBS SUNDAY MORNING anchored by Charles Osgood (9:00-10:30 AM, ET/check local listings).

Excerpts from Julie Chen’s interview with Paula Abdul are below. You must credit CBS SUNDAY MORNING.

Abdul on what inspired her to become a performer…and ’kissing’ Gene Kelly:

CHEN:         What’s your earliest memory of dance?

ABDUL:       My earliest memory of dance, probably, was what gave me the bug to actually become a performer… was when I was four years old.  And I was watching Singing in the Rain in our family living room.  And my mom and dad were sitting on the couch.  And I kept getting closer to the television set. And then I kissed the TV set to kiss Gene Kelly.

And I looked back at my dad, and I said, “That’s my dad.”  And my father says, “No, I’m your dad. That can be your television dad.” And I fell in love with Gene Kelly.  And truly, that is my earliest, most beautiful memories of deciding right then and there.  As my parents put it, I stood up and I put my fist down and said, “I’m going to be an entertainer.”

Abdul on the misconceptions about her:

CHEN:            Well, what bugs you that people say about you that you know, and your friends and family know that is just not you?

ABDUL:         I am intelligent.  I am–

CHEN:            But, people don’t give you enough credit for having a brain.

ABDUL:         Having a brain, that’s a concept, yes, with Paula Abdul.  I have a brain.

Abdul on rumored drug and alcohol abuse:

CHEN:            There is some unflattering video of you out there.  It has appeared on Idol. Did you ever have a drinking problem?

ABDUL:         I’ve never had a drinking problem… Even though I’ve been in this business for quite some time. I’ve never physically been drunk in my life.  I’ve never been drunk in my life.  I don’t use recreational drugs.  But, I am goofy.

CHEN:            So, it’s just Paula.

ABDUL:         It’s Paula.  It is Paula.  And, even the people on Idol know that none of that existed, ever.

Rand Morrison is the executive producer of CBS SUNDAY MORNING.

 

NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE – Sunday January 16, 2011 – Saturday January 22, 2011

NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE – Sunday January 16, 2011 – Saturday January 22, 2011

“NBC SPECIALS”

“THE 2011 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS RED CARPET SPECIAL (WT)”

01/16/2011 (07:00PM – 08:00PM) (Sunday) : Live from the red carpet, entertainment hosts and fashion experts will give viewers an all access, first-look at the glitz and glamour of “The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards.”

“CHUCK”

“CHUCK VERSUS THE BALCONY”

01/17/2011 (08:00PM – 09:00PM) (Monday) : CHUCK PLANS A SECRET MISSION WHILE ON ANOTHER SECRET MISSION IN FRANCE — When an assignment brings him to a French vineyard, Chuck (Zachary Levi) juggles tracking down a nano-chip with trying to create the perfect romantic getaway for Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski). Back at the Buy More, Lester (Vik Sahay) comes to Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence) for his own romantic problems. Joshua Gomez, Scott Krinsky, Bonita Friedericy and Adam Baldwin also star.

Jamie French

Akiva Griffith

“THE CAPE”

“TBA”

01/17/2011 (09:00PM – 10:00PM) (Monday) :

“HARRY’S LAW”

“PILOT”

01/17/2011 (10:00PM – 11:00PM) (Monday) : KATHY BATES STARS IN THE PREMIERE OF QUIRKY LEGAL DRAMA SERIES “HARRY’S LAW” – In the premiere episode, once-successful patent attorney Harriet Korn (Kathy Bates) is fired and decides to begin anew with her own practice. With the help of her happy-go-lucky secretary, Jenna (Brittany Snow), she sets up shop in an abandoned shoe store in a rough section of Cincinnati. Her first case is to defend Malcolm Davies (Aml Ameen), a troubled young man, facing his third drug offense. Meanwhile, up-and-coming attorney Adam Branch (Nate Corddry) joins the firm, and defends a “private security officer” after he shoots a man who is attempting to rob a laundromat.

Nikki Lichterman

“THE BIGGEST LOSER 11″

“1103″

01/18/2011 (08:00PM – 10:00PM) (Tuesday) : THE “UNKNOWN TRAINERS” ARE REVEALED – AND THE CONTESTANTS SQUARE OFF TO WIN A BIG ADVANTAGE AT THIS WEEK’S WEIGH-IN FROM CHEF CURTIS STONE — The “unknown trainers” are finally revealed, and both will share their personal stories that led them to “The Biggest Loser.” Their contestants, “the unknowns,” confront one player they feel isn’t working hard enough, and later, “the unknowns” and the ranch contestants square off for a pop challenge. The winning player from each group will get a delicious healthy dinner prepared by Chef Curtis Stone, and compete for a coveted 2 lb. advantage at this week’s weigh-in. Later, Dr. Huizenga gives “the unknowns” startling news about their health, and one player is surprised to learn they have the highest percentage of body fat in the group. Meanwhile, trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels single out a few of their contestants to find out what really led to their weight gain, and then the ranch contestants meet host Alison Sweeney for a water-carrying challenge that will give the winner the sole vote at this week’s elimination. Later, a surprising weigh-in — which results in shocking numbers for one team — disappoints the trainers in a big way, leading to the elimination of one player they feel isn’t ready to go home.

“PARENTHOOD”

“OPENING NIGHT”

01/18/2011 (10:00PM – 11:00PM) (Tuesday) : KRISTINA, ADAM AND SARAH PUT THEIR PARENTING SKILLS TO THE TEST, WHILE JABBAR DEALS WITH A CASE OF STAGE FRIGHT- Kristina (Monica Potter) and Adam (Peter Krause) catch Haddie (Sarah Ramos) sneaking around with Alex (guest star Michael B. Jordan,”Friday Night Lights” ) and forbid her from seeing him anymore. Sarah (Lauren Graham) faces a new challenge when Drew (Miles Heizer) tells her he needs to sell five hundred dollars worth of wrapping paper. Meanwhile, Crosby (Dax Shepard) and Jasmine (Joy Bryant) have to deal with Jabbar’s (Tyree Brown) bad case of stage fright right before the school play. Mae Whitman, Sarah Ramos, Max Burkholder, Bonnie Bedelia and Craig T. Nelson also star.

Jamie French

“MINUTE TO WIN IT”

“TBA”

01/19/2011 (08:00PM – 09:00PM) (Wednesday) :

Meredith Fitzpatrick

“CHASE”

“NARCO, PART 2″

01/19/2011 (09:00PM – 09:59PM) (Wednesday) : THE U.S. MARSHALS BATTLE A POWERFUL DRUG CARTEL TO SAVE ANNIE FROST—U.S. Marshal Annie Frost’s (Kelli Giddish) life remains in the hands of a dangerous drug cartel looking for retribution. While in captivity, Annie befriends another hostage and vows to return him home to the U.S. Back in the office, the rest of the Team devises a strategy to rescue Annie, but Jimmy (Cole Hauser) and Marco’s (Amaury Nolasco) plan causes controversy with Luke (Jesse Metcalfe), who disagrees with their rogue operation.

Also starring: Rose Rollins (Daisy Ogbaa)

“LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT”

“DIRTY”

01/19/2011 (10:00PM – 11:00PM) (Wednesday) : DETECTIVE SALIYAH “SUNNY” QADRI (GUEST STAR SHOHREH AGHDASHLOO) TEAMS UP WITH DETECTIVE OLIVIA BENSON (MARISKA HARGITAY) TO INVESTIGATE THE MURDER OF A DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Detective Saliyah “Sunny” Qadri (Aghdashloo) goes in search of Brooklyn District Attorney Page Ferguson, who she fears may be in danger. Qadri finds Ferguson just in time to witness her fall from the top of a parking garage. When Benson (Hargitay) arrives, she discovers that the crime scene has been tampered with. Benson turns to an old friend, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Danielson (guest star Gloria Reuben) for help. As the investigation progresses, Benson begins to question Ferguson’s suspicious past and Qadri’s involvement in the case.

“COMMUNITY”

“ASIAN POPULATION STUDIES”

01/20/2011 (08:00PM – 08:30PM) (Thursday) : THE STUDY GROUP DEBATES WHETHER TO ADD NEW MEMBERS – SHIRLEY REUNITES WITH HER ERRANT EX HUSBAND AND HAS SOME IMPORTANT NEWS – MALCOLM JAMAL WARNER GUEST STARS AND JOHN OLIVER REPRISES HIS ROLE AS PROFESSOR DUNCAN — Annie (Alison Brie) returns from spring break to find that her crush “Rich” (Greg Cromer “Justified”), the Dr., has enrolled at Greendale Community College, sparking a heated debate about whether to add Rich and/or Senor Chang to the study group. Shirley’s (Yvette Nicole Brown) ex-husband Andre (Malcolm Jamal Warner, “True Blue”) is back in the picture and Shirley has some big news for everyone. Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Donald Glover and Ken Jeong also star.

“PERFECT COUPLES”

“TBA”

01/20/2011 (08:30PM – 09:00PM) (Thursday) :

Jamie French

“THE OFFICE”

“ULTIMATUM ”

01/20/2011 (09:00PM – 09:30PM) (Thursday) : MICHAEL ANXIOUSLY WAITS TO SEE IF HOLLY FOLLOWS THROUGH ON HER ULTIMATUM— AMY RYAN (“Gone Baby Gone”) AND JACK COLEMAN GUEST STAR— Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) prepares himself for the good or bad news about Holly (guest star Amy Ryan) and her boyfriend. Pam (Jenna Fischer) decides to put up a resolution board for everyone to post their New Year ‘s resolutions. Meanwhile, Michael calls for a counseling session with Holly. Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Angela Kinsey, Phyllis Smith, Oscar Nunez, Creed Bratton, B.J. Novak, Ellie Kemper, Craig Robinson and Zach Woods

Joanne Park

“PARKS AND RECREATION”

“GO BIG OR GO HOME ”

01/20/2011 (09:30PM – 10:00PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE ROLLS THE DICE — Leslie (Amy Poehler) tries to convince Chris (Rob Lowe) and Ben (Adam Scott) to give the parks department more money, and when she fails to persuade them, she enlists Ann’s (Rashida Jones) help. Meanwhile, Ron (Nick Offerman) and Andy (Chris Pratt) coach youth basketball, and April (Aubrey Plaza) returns with surprising news. Aziz Ansari, Jim O’Heir and Retta also star.

Joanne Park

“30 ROCK”

“TBA”

01/20/2011 (10:00PM – 10:30PM) (Thursday) :

“OUTSOURCED”

“SARI, CHARLIE”

01/20/2011 (10:30PM – 11:00PM) (Thursday) : TODD KEEPS A SECRET FROM CHARLIE—When Todd (Ben Rappaport) tries to protect Charlie’s (Diedrich Bader) feelings by keeping his relationship with Tonya (Pippa Black) a secret, someone unexpected gets hurt. Meanwhile, Rajiv (Rizwan Manji) panics when he learns his co-workers are about to give him an employee evaluation. Knowing that he is not well liked, he hatches a plan to win them over. Anisha Nagarajan, Rebecca Hazlewood, Sacha Dhawan and Parvesh Cheena also star.

Kellie Kulikowsky

“MINUTE TO WIN IT”

“TBA”

01/21/2011 (08:00PM – 09:00PM) (Friday) :

Meredith Fitzpatrick

“DATELINE NBC”

“FR2019″

01/21/2011 (09:00PM – 11:00PM) (Friday) :

“CHUCK”

“TBA”

01/22/2011 (08:00PM – 09:00PM) (Saturday) :

Jamie French

Akiva Griffith

“LAW & ORDER: LOS ANGELES”

“ECHO PARK”

01/22/2011 (09:00PM – 09:59PM) (Saturday) : DETECTIVE WINTERS (SKEET ULRICH) AND JARUSZALSKI (COREY STOLL) INVESTIGATE THE VICIOUS STABBING DEATH OF A MURDEROUS CULT MEMBER — When murderous cult member “Baby” Jane Lee Rayburn (guest star Nancy Youngblut) is found stabbed to death, Detectives Rex Winters (Skeet Ulrich) and Tomas “TJ” Jaruszalski (Corey Stoll) question multiple suspects, including the cult ringleader Denis Watson (guest star Michael Massee) and Jane’s former cellmate, Maura Dillon (Bonnie Root). However, the case cuts very close to home for Detective Winters when his wife Lori (Teri Polo), a former Detective, is questioned. DDA Dekker (Terrence Howard) and DDA Stanton (Megan Boone) find themselves facing a trial where the line between suspect and victim is blurred. Rachel Ticotin also stars.

“LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT”

“BULLS EYE”

01/22/2011 (10:00PM – 11:00PM) (Saturday) : DETECTIVES OLIVIA BENSON (MARISKA HARGITAY) AND ELIOT STABLER (CHRISTOPHER MELONI) ENLIST THE HELP OF A SUSPECT (GUEST STAR HENRY IAN CUSICK) FROM A PREVIOUS CASE TO CRACK A NEW ONE

Detectives Benson (Hargitay) and Stabler (Meloni) are called to the hospital after a 10-year-old girl is raped. They arrive to find her so traumatized that she cannot even tell them her name. With the help of Detectives Odafin Tutuola (Ice-T) and John Munch (Richard Belzer), they are able to identify the young victim. But they soon realize that her home life is far from normal as Dr. George Huang (B.D. Wong) discovers that her mother suffers from a rare condition that renders her unable to recognize that the young girl is, in fact, her daughter. When the detectives find themselves without a lead, Erik Weber (guest star Henry Ian Cusick), a man they met on their previous case, decides to get involved. But he may be overstepping his bounds. Also starring: Tamara Tunie (Dr. Melinda Warner).

( X Denotes Changes/Addition)

 

WINTER CLASSIC PROGRAMMING CHANGE

2011 BRIDGESTONE NHL WINTER CLASSIC MOVING TO PRIMETIME WITH 8 P.M. ET START TIME DUE TO WEATHER

ADDITIONAL WINTER CLASSIC PROGRAMMING TO FILL ORIGINAL 1-4 P.M. ET WINDOW

NEW YORK – December 31, 2010 – Due to expected steady rain throughout tomorrow afternoon, the NHL has announced that the start time of the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will change from 1 p.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET. NBC Sports will still fill the original Winter Classic programming window of 1-4 p.m. ET with Winter Classic content such as live interviews and taped coverage of previous Winter Classics.

NBC SPORTS’ UPDATED NEW YEAR’S DAY PROGRAMMING

1-4 p.m. ET            Winter Classic Programming

4-6 p.m. ET            ADT Skills Challenge (golf)

8 p.m. ET            2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic

OFFICIAL NHL STATEMENT: The National Hockey League announced today the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will change the original 1 p.m. (ET) start time on New Year’s Day to 8 p.m. (ET).  The decision was based on the latest meteorological reports, which have advised an approaching front of potentially steady rain expected to fall through the afternoon and taper off by early evening, and after consultation with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Washington Capitals, national broadcast partners (NBC, CBC, RDS), the Pittsburgh Steelers, the National Hockey League Players’ Association, and local officials.

We have been further advised that cooler and drier air conditions are expected in the evening with the passing of the front.  The NHL feels that it was important to make this announcement at this time so as to minimize the inconvenience to all parties associated with the event, especially our fans.

All 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic tickets will continue to be honored and all ticket holder agreement language remains unchanged.

 

Elaine Irwin Mellencamp and John Mellencamp have split up

Model Elaine Irwin Mellencamp and musician John Mellencamp have decided to call it quits. The two have been married for 20-years.

A statement was released by their rep to The Hollywood Reporter:

“John and Elaine Mellencamp are proud of their 20 years together and are very happy with their accomplishments both as parents and as a family. They will continue to raise their two children in Indiana but have decided to call it a day as a couple.”

 

Eyeshield 21 – Volume 3 (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

Japan’s wild, crazy and popular football (American football) anime series”Eyeshield 21″ is entertaining and fun! “Eyeshield 21″ has been one of my favorite anime series to watch on DVD in 2010! Definitely recommended!

Image courtesy of © Kome Studio-Villiage Studio/Shueisha-TV Tokyo. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Eyeshield 21 – Volume 3

DURATION: Episodes 27-39 (325 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: 4:3, Japanese 2.0 Stereo, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: Sentai Filmworks/Section23 Films

RATED: TV PG V

Release Date: December 21, 2010

Originally created by Riichirou Inagaki and Yuusuke Murata

Directed by Masayoshi Nishida

Series Composition by Nobuaki Kishima

Character Design by Hirotoshi Takaya

Art Director: Satoshi Shibata

Music by Ko Otani

Sound Director: Yuuki Matsuoka

Anime Production by Studio Galllaop

Featuring the following voice talent:

Miyu Irino as Sena

Atsushi Tamura as Hiruma

Aya Hirano as Mamori

Kappei Yamaguchi as Raimon Tarou

Kouichi Nagano as Kurita Ryoukan

Rikiya Koyama as Musashi

Shoko Nakagawa as Suzuna

Daisuke Hirakawa as Akaba Hayato

Daisuke Ono as Kengo Mizumachi

As if the Demon Bat’s training couldn’t get any more bizarre, Hiruma drags the entire team to Houston, Texas for a bootcamp from Hell. But that’s the least of the team’s problems, as things go unpredictably (or actually, at this point, rather predictably) awry. Not only does Cerberus get “borrowed” by a little girl, but the team must face a grueling death-march, the NASA Aliens are back with a sly and cunning plan to outmaneuver the Demon Bats, and somewhere in the middle is an epic battle over a thousand dollars and a whole lot of barbeque. And then everyone realizes that Las Vegas is “reasonably close” to Houston and the trouble really begins!

In Japan, American football may not be too popular compared to the international futbol (soccer), but there are a few high schools that have football teams and the NFL does have a game played in Japan, helping to spread the game’s popularity.

But in 2002, writer Riichiro Inagaki and illustrator Yusuke Murata introduced American football to a broader audience through their manga “Eyeshield 21″ which has been featured on the very popular Weekly Shonen Jump, has led to several videogames and also a 145-episode anime series which lasted from 2o05-2008. With American exposure to “Eyeshield 21″ for the translated Shonen Jump manga, now the popular anime series has made it way to American shores courtesy of Section23 Films/Sentai Filmworks with the first volume of “Eyeshield 21″ featuring the first 13 episodes.

“Eyeshield 21″ revolves around a young teenager named Sena Kobayakawa who has passed his entrance exams at his local high school, Deimon Private Senior High School. The school where his childhood friend Mamori Anezaki attends. Both Sena and Mamori are close because all throughout his life, Sena has been bullied and Mamori has been there to protect him.

Living his life as a gopher for other friends, Sena hasn’t had any true friends until he meets the devil-looking Yoichi Hiruma and the very huge Ryokan Kurita who try to get Sena to join their football team.

Of course, Sena doesn’t know how to play football but being the new kid at school, once again, he gets bullied but this time, the huge Kurita ends up taking care of them. Out for revenge, the bullies start to pick on Sena once again but Sena is sick and tired of getting beaten up and when they go after him, he demonstrates a skill which he has had for a long time, speed. Because Sena has lived his life running away, he is very quick and immediately, Hiruma wants to utilize him on the Deimon High School Devil Bats football team.

Sena just wants to become a team manager but Hiruma wants Sena to be the team’s running back. And because Hiruma wants to make sure that no one can steal him for their high school, he plans on a disguise that no one but he, Sena and Kurita will know and that is putting an eyeshield on a football helmet and giving Sena a #21 jersey and the nickname “Eyeshield 21″.

In the first season, we watch as the Devil Bats accomplish the impossible by beating major teams but also getting a spot to go against an America high school football team known as the NASA Shuttles.  In volume 2, Hiruma has a bet with the coach that if they come within seven points, the NASA Shuttles would have to stay in Japan.  If the Devil Bats lose, they would have to leave Japan and go to America.  NASA wins but because the Devil Bats were able to come within the seven points, the NASA Shuttles have to stay in Japan and the Devil Bats must go to the United States.

But this was part of Hiruma’s plan all along as his goal was for the team to meet with a former Japanese football player and train.  In volume 3, we see the Devil Bats come to America and take part in training but to also to take part in the Death March, a treacherous training regiment in which the players must train by traveling from Texas to Las Vegas on foot.

The linemen are forced to push a truck from Texas to Las Vegas, Sena must kick a rock (and not lose it) and the others must jog and sprint.   They may not know it but this march will enhance their football playing abilities.

The Death March will test the player’s patience but also test their group as being teammates and facing adversity together.  Meanwhile, volume 3 also shows how other teams are preparing for the upcoming football season, each with their goal to make it to the Christmas Bowl.

The main characters of “Eyeshield 21″ are:

• Sena Kobayakawa – The main character. Short, shy and clumsy. Sena has been bullied throughout his life and now wants to stand up for himself. Especially since he has made friends on the Deimon High School football team. So, outside of football, he is seen as the manager, but when he’s on the football field and disguised as Eyeshield 21, he is a running back that dazzles the audience and his teammates with his impressive speed.
• Mamori Anezaki – Sena’s childhood friend and a girl who has always protected him when he was getting bullied. Scared that Sena is hanging out with Hiruma and team, she decides to become a manager of the team alongside with him and oblivious that Sena is disguised as Eyeshield 21.
• Yoichi Hiruma – The captain and quarterback with devlish looks and is always up to something that is typically up to no good. Either gaining intel on people at school, taking care of his devil dog Cerberus or trying to make his football team better by pushing them (and taunting them with his machine gun).
• Ryokan Kurita – Despite his huge size and being a great lineman, he is also shy, softspoken and kind. Also, loves to eat a lot!
• Tarao Raimon (Monta) – Had dreams of becoming a baseball player but when the Deimon High School baseball teams kicks him off, the football team utilizes his fantastic catching skills and makes him a wide receiver. Has a monkey-like appearance.
• The Ha-Ha Brothers – Bullies who are constantly tormenting Sena, the members consider of Kazuki Jumonji, Koji Kuroki and Shozo Togano.  Hiruma blackmails them into joining the football team.  At first they want nothing to do with the team but now they realize that they are becoming better people and tougher individuals.
• Manabu Yukimitsu – Known for his balding head and a student that has always been focused on cram schools because of his strict mother, Yukimitsu wants to prove himself that he can do more than just study and wants to become a member of the Deimon Devil Bats and will do all he can despite not being an athlete.  He may lack athletic skill like the others but he is very smart.
• Daikichi Komusbi – A linemen and a short, stocky member who looks up to Kurita as a mentor.  Although short, he is strong and has dedicated will power.
• Natsuhiko Taki – A man who loves to dance and thinks he can do anything by himself.  He is the brother of Suzuna and tried to become an American football player, now he is a tight end for the Devil Bats.
• Tetsuo Ishimaru – Although not a main member focused on in the series, he does pop up once in awhile as the second running back and a member from the track team.
• Yohei Satake and Kenta Yamaoka – Members of the basketball team who are blackmailed by Hiruma to become wide receivers and linebackers for the team.
• Suzuna Taki – The sister of Natsuhiko and often rollerblading.  She works as part-time reporter and is also the cheerleading captain for the Devil Bats.
• Cerberus – Hiruma’s ferocious dog that likes to bite people.  Used for training on the football players who try to run their fastest away from the dog in order to avoid being bitten. Cerberus has a large appetite.

Here is a brief spoilerless summary of episodes 27-39 for “Eyeshield 21″ included on two DVD’s:

DISC 1:

• EPISODE 27 – The Devil Bats arrive to Houston for bootcamp.  Meanwhile, two thieves try to dognap Cerberus.
• EPISODE 28 – Sena and Monta end up at the football field where Panther played and meet with his grandmother.
• EPISODE 29 – The Devil Bats go to the beach and Sena, Mamori and Monta join members of the Seibu Wild Gunmen and take part in a beach football game.
• EPISODE 30 – The Devil Bats rest at the Wild Gunmen ranch and the coach agrees to train them if they all want to take part in a Death March.
• EPISODE 31 - The Death March begins.
• EPISODE 32 - Teammates start to complain about the Death March.  Will they last?

DISC 2:

• EPISODE 33 - Sena ends up running into a motorcycle gang (with Suzuna) and ends up trying out for an American Football team with Suzuna’s brother Taki.
• EPISODE 34 - Sena introduces the Devil Bats to Taki, who wants to become a member of the Devil Bats.
• EPISODE 35 – Yukimitsu begins to collapse during the Death March.  One player can prevent the others from their goal.  Can Sena leave Yukimitsu behind?  Can Yukimitsu complete the Death March?
• EPISODE 36 – The Devil Bats truck gets caught in a pothole and then slides into a ditch.  Can the team work together and get the truck out of the ditch.
• EPISODE 37 – A story about the Oujo Knights and Sakuraba wondering if he can be a part of their team.
• EPISODE 38 – The Devil Bats return home and players find out who makes it to the team as starters.  Unfortunately, one must get benched.
• EPISODE 39 – While everyone but Mamori knows the true identity of Eyeshield 21, Suzuna wants to know why Sena hasn’t told her.

VIDEO:

“Eyeshield 21 – Volume 3″ is presented in 4:3. Because the series is a comedy, character designs range from being detailed to being simple, depending on the scene. But there is a good amount of detail on the backgrounds at times but the main focus are on the characters and at times you will see really beautiful drawn images, to simplistic images but it captures the wild and crazy style of “Eyeshield 21″.

For the most part, the anime series compliments the manga series.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Eyeshield 21 – Volume 3″ is in Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0. Voice acting is well-done and for the most part, the audio is clear. For a more immersive soundscape, I chose to have my receiver set with stereo on all channels. But overall, the 2.0 track is good. Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Eyeshield 21 – Volume 3″ features trailers for upcoming Sentai Filmworks releases.

I have been a big fan of sports-based anime and in Japan a lot of their sports manga and anime are big hits.  From the soccer-driven series “Captain Tsubasa”, the basketball series “Slam Dunk”, the baseball series “Touch”, the tennis series “Tennis no Oujisama” (Prince of Tennis)  and many of them have this underdog vs. the better team type of mentality.

Yes, there is a banality when it comes to anime series but there is often this side of supernatural element that an athlete has.  A super kick, a special tennis serving or hitting ability and with “Eyeshield 21″, what makes the series so exciting is that every team has its special individuals with unique talents.  But when it comes to the Deimon Devil Bats (the protagonist team), these guys are like a group of misfits put together in hopes to accomplishing their goal of making it to the Christmas Bowl.  But they are surely talented.  Sena (Eyeshield 21) has this special ability of his running and in this latest volume, he hones that talent and makes himself even better.  We also see new characters pop up and joins the team and definitely see how everyone works together, faces adversity together as a team.   And that’s what I enjoyed about volume 3.

Similar to other sports anime in which there is an underdog getting involved with sports and displays a tremendous skill, “Eyeshield 21″ definitely showcases that into the storyline but with the characters, in this case the team is more like the “Bad News Bears” and with the “The Devil Bats”, the team consists of characters that are just wild and crazy. Actually, all teams have characters that are wild and crazy and I suppose that is what makes “Eyeshield 21″ so interesting and enjoyable.

The latest volume of “Eyeshield 21″ is quite special as it features the team working together and bonding.  In the previous season, these individuals were not playing like a team.  Many felt they were all put together because they were blackmailed by Hiruma but in this series, everyone wants to become a better person and feel like they belong.  So, with the events that took place in volume 2, volume 3 focuses on the Deimon Devil Bats are now in the United States and have take on the goal of accomplishing the 40-day Death March from Texas to Las Vegas.

You also get to see other football team players have their own episode as well, so for those who enjoy the storyline with the Ojou Knights or Panther and his American team will find an episode dedicated to them as well.

Volume 3 features episodes 27-39 and for the most part, every episode in this volume is very entertaining.   As for the characters and their skills, where some sports anime series try to emphasize realism and others focusing on a characters super skills, “Eyeshield 21″ leans towards the latter and each member does possess a certain skill which eventually builds as the series progresses.

It’s important to let the viewer know that since this is was a popular series in Japan, it was a long running series with over a 140 episodes and with 13 episodes per volume, it’s going to take awhile to complete.  So, this is one series that will attract those who are in it for the long haul, but it’s definitely worth it!

Everything about this series, from its characters, the gags, to the storyline is well-done and for those who enjoy American football or have knowledge about the sport will definitely be entertained by this series.  Even if you don’t know about football, the game also helps the beginners understand the sport.

If you are looking for a sports anime series, “Eyeshield 21″ is definitely an anime series worth checking out!

Definitely recommended!

 

Have a Happy New Year and an Amazing 2011!!!

We want to wish everyone an awesome and safe Happy New Year! I know a lot of people will be partying tonight and that’s awesome! Please don’t drink and drive and have an amazing 2011!

Photo Caption: Revelers take their positions in Times Square for the annual midnight ball drop in New York, NY on December 31, 2010. Revelers who want a good view of the ball dropping arrive early in the afternoon and wait until midnight. (Photo by Brian Harkin/Getty Images)/Content © 2010 Getty Images All rights reserved.

 

Carson Daly rings the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange

Carson Daly rings the opening bell at The New York Stock Exchange on December 30, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images). Content © 2010 Getty Images All rights reserved.

 

Chris Brown vs. Raz B and Ricky Romance on Twitter (NSFW)

What began as a normal day took a turn for the worst on Twitter as both Chris Brown and Raz B of B2K got into a Twitter bashing moment against each other.

It began with Raz B talking about the news of how Rihanna was single again and then tweeted:

Im just sittin here Thinking how can niggas like @ebenet & @ChrisBrown disrespect women as Intelligent as @HalleBerry11 @Rihanna

@Chrisbrown Do you hit your boyfriend @andre_merritt like you do your women?

Suffice to say, Chris Brown was not amused and started tweeting:

@razb2k when I need tips on how to demolish my career I’ll call ya!!!!!

@razb2k it’s funny how I’m nominated for 3 grAmmys off of a mixtape and ur scrambling for change!!

@razb2k ur a x backup singer!!!!! What do u make? Like $1.99 an hour

@razb2k you have a lower back tattoo that says “different strokes”

Needless to say, this is when things got nastier as Raz B was upset that Chris Brown was calling him gay.

@chrisbrown I luv how u resort 2 disrespectful low brow tactics when u clearly sabotaged ur own career by beating women!

@Chrisbrown Since you took this that far! Dude, i wasnt Raped! what a disrespect to every Kid around the world that has been Molested!!!!!

@chrisbrown u victimize victims, ur a homophobe, ur on the down low & a woman beater. Merry Christmas & thx 4 showin every1 ur true colors

My step-dad is doin 25 2 life 4 abusin my mom & i heard U say ur mom was abused & this is how u represent urself by disrespectin WOMEN?!

@chrisbrown Is this your way of coming on to me???? Dude im not Gay! i was molested! stop disrespecting the LGBT community!

Then Brown started targeting Raz B’s brother Ricky Romance.  Brown tweeted the following:

YOUR NAME IS @RICKYROMANCE HOW GANGSTA IS THAT!!!!…. PEANUT HEAD ASS !!!!

Next thing you know, the Chris Brown bashers came out while fans tried to support and back Chris Brown up.

Ricky Romance (brother of Raz B) then threatened Brown if he came to Los Angeles and even released a YouTube video.   Ricky tweeted:

@chrisbrown you will speak on my brother but you know better than to say a WORD to me…Wait until I see you..say sorry lil homie

@chrisbrown lil homie you beat women thats not cool and when i see you imma smack you in your mouth you better pay for protection

“If I see you in L.A. my dude, I’m gonna put my mother fu**ing pistol in your mouth.”

@chrisbrown i think you a talented artist but im still gonna shove my pistol in your mouth if i catch you alone w/ no security lol.God Night

@ChrisBrown Tell your mama to listen to my OLD song Bitch I rap better than you on Holla at Me!!! -Shut tha place Down

Brown tweeted, “its wack as fuck that everybody can bash me… but soon as i defend myself its world war 3.I TAKE SHIT FROM everybody… its cool though..”

Come on, Chris….Raz B…Ricky, Can’t We All Just Get Along!

UPDATE:

RazB’s rep has told TMZ, “Raz B wanted to make sure everyone knows that what his brother says does not represent him. Those are just a brother’s tendencies to protect his brother coming out. Raz B has already spoken to his brother and told him to chill out.”

Chris Brown has now contacted TMZ and has apologized for his actions.  Brown tells TMZ, “Yesterday was an unfortunate lack in judgment sparked by public Twitter attacks from Raz B, who was bent on getting attention.  Words cannot begin to express how sorry and frustrated I am over what transpired publicly on Twitter.”

 

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