#George Bledsoe

[jazzdailyblog]

"Clifford Brown & Max Roach:" A Landmark Jazz Album

Introduction: Released in early December 1954, the album “Clifford Brown & Max Roach” by the Clifford Brown and Max Roach Quintet stands as a monumental achievement in the jazz world. This recording is often hailed as one of the finest examples of bebop, capturing the essence of a genre that was rapidly evolving and gaining popularity during the 1950s. The album not only showcases the…

[brookstonalmanac]

Birthdays 2.14

Beer Birthdays

Michael Sedlmayr (1848)

Alvin M. Hemrich (1870)

Benedict Frank Haberle (1888)

Denny Conn (1952)

Gregg Wiggins (1954)

Lew Bryson (1959)

Kristi Switzer (1965)

Chuck Silva (1967)

Five Favorite Birthdays

Tim Buckley; rock musician (1946)

Florence Henderson; actor (1934)

Thomas Malthus; economist (1766)

Lois Maxwell; actor (1927)

Simon Pegg; actor, comedian, writer (1970)

Famous Birthdays

Mel Allen; sportscaster (1913)

Jules Asner; model, television personality (1968)

Jack Benny; comedian (1894)

Carl Bernstein; journalist (1944)

Drew Bledsoe; New England Patriots QB (1972)

Michael Bloomberg; clueless businessman, politician (1942)

Odds Bodkin; storyteller (1953)

Lara Croft; Tomb Raider game character (1968)

Frederick Douglass; writer, abolitionist (1817)

Hugh Downs; television host (1921)

George Ferris; inventor, Ferris Wheel inventor (1859)

Zach Galligan; actor, comedian (1964)

Frank Harris; writer (1856)

Woody Hayes; football coach (1913)

Freddie Highmore; actor (1992)

Gregory Hines; actor, dancer (1946)

Jimmy Hoffa; union leader (1913)

Kevin Keegan; soccer player (1951)

Jim Kelly; Buffalo Bills QB (1960)

Margaret Knight; inventor (1838)

Porsche Lynn; porn actor (1962)

Vic Morrow; actor (1929)

Murray the K; D.J. (1922)

George Jean Nathan; writer (1882)

Alan Parker; film director (1942)

Edward Platt; actor (1916)

Thelma Ritter; actor (1905)

Anna Howard Shaw; suffrage leader (1847)

Skeezix; cartoon character (1921)

Jo Jo Starbuck; ice skater (1951)

Katherine Stinson; aviator (1891)

Teller; comedian, magician (1948)

Rob Thomas; rock musician (1972)

Meg Tilly; actor (1960)

Johann Werner; German mathematician (1468)

Charles Wilson; English physicist (1869)

Fritz Zwicky; Swiss astronomer (1898)

[handelplayssims]

We are up and at ‘em! It’s a bright and fresh new day! Meredith is awake and still wants that promotion. Let’s get her focused and after we give Markus a bath, we can take that Lawyer Exam! The all important bar test! ...which I honestly should have expected it’d be an off-lot thing as well. Ah well. Didn’t take too long at least. And she passed at that! Woo. Next thing’s next, she wants to talk to someone new. There is an adult just across the street. Might as well say hi! Found an art lover, studio techinican at the movie set lot. Nice.

...hey, you know what I haven’t done? It’s been a scorcher at Strangerville and it’s the end of summer! ...wait, it’s actually autumn at this point. Not that the desert heat cares evidently! But anyway, we haven’t gone to the pool at all! And there is one in Strangerville. Let’s go!

So this is a lot made by cookingcobra on the gallery. When George left town, I didn’t really have any good ideas for this lot so I looked up what was on the gallery to see if there was anything interesting. This made the most sense to me personally. Just a natural pool that blends in well with the surrounding area. Though, hang on, there’s nothing for toddlers.

There we go! One kiddie pool for Markus to play in! If I remember to, I’ll likely sell it off again after using it. Might be an idea to get one for home instead. Anyway, let’s go and have some watery fun, shall we? Took a few tries to get them to both properly play but it finally worked after a few tries. Now for Meredith to take a swim while Markus plays in the sand. Both work out well and Markus is now tired. Time to return home and put Markus to bed.

So now we have a little bit of time before Meredith goes to bed. Her whim is to make another Sim happy and the best way to attempt that is to befriend someone. Let’s try to regain our friendship with Moria Fyres. Ohh, she’s sad. Of which, at this point, I presume if someone is sad, they knew someone who passed away. Or it could be the negative sentiments. Meredith feels guilty about the lost relationship and Moria, hurt. Let’s ask about the sad mood, after searching all of the social sidebars for it. And hey, an apology cleared off both negative sentiments! Nice! Now to help her feel better. Or at least attempt to because it’s bedtime and Meredith needs sleep.

Well, I didn’t make Moria feel happy but we did get the friendship back. And that’s really what we wanted in the first place! Now to make some supper with lots of leftovers and then head back to bed. ...really struggling on choosing something because the most ingredient I have is Green Beans and there isn’t much that works with it. I settle upon a vegetable casserole. Not really something I’d go for, not a big fan of casseroles but Meredith seems the type. And thus we sleep making it time for-

Neighborhood Watch!

Marcel Neuburger in the Neuburger household has died. Marcel asked a rabbit if it wanted a carrot, but the rabbit chose violence.

Helena Bledsoe in the Bledsoe household has died. No cliffhanger here; Helena slipped when rock climbing.

Landen Faust in the Faust household has started a job as a Supreme Villain in the Villain career.

[vebstoreis]

"Clippers and Warriors: The Top Two Championship Contenders of the NBA Season!"

The article from The Athletic examines the chances of the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors in the current NBA season. The Clippers, currently second in the Western Conference, have improved their defense and depth while the Warriors have been boosted by the return of superstar Stephen Curry. The article points out that both teams have the potential to compete for the championship this year. The Clippers have been impressive this season with their balanced offense and suffocating defense. They have also strengthened their bench with the addition of Eric Bledsoe and Justice Winslow. The team's success will depend on the health of their stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, who have a history of injuries. Nonetheless, the Clippers have shown they can beat any team in the league and will be a tough opponent in the playoffs. The Warriors, on the other hand, struggled in the early part of the season but have recently found their groove with the return of Stephen Curry. The team has also improved its defense and added depth with the acquisition of Gary Payton II and the emergence of Jordan Poole. The article suggests that the Warriors' success will depend on the performances of Curry and Draymond Green, as well as the development of their young players. In conclusion, both the Clippers and the Warriors have the potential to be championship contenders this season. The Clippers have a strong team with a balanced offense and suffocating defense, while the Warriors have the leadership of Curry and the improved defense and depth. It will be interesting to see how both teams perform in the playoffs and whether they can win it all. Read the full article

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY AND RUDY VALLEE

S3;E12 ~ November 30, 1970

Directed by Coby Ruskin ~ Written by David Ketchum and Bruce Kelly

Synopsis

Famous crooner Rudy Vallée is waiting tables to pass the time until his music comes back into style.  Lucy convinces Kim to help update his look and sound while Harry gets him a booking at the local teen hangout.  

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carter), Gale Gordon (Harrison Otis Carter), Lucie Arnaz (Kim Carter)

Desi Arnaz Jr. (Craig Carter) does not appear in this episode, although he does receive opening title credit.

Guest Cast

Rudy Vallée (Himself) started his career as a saxophone player and singer and became a popular bandleader, hosting a hit radio program in the 1930s.  His first film was 1929's The Vagabond Lover. He also wrote a popular song of the same title.  He was known as a crooner, and often depicted singing through a megaphone. On Broadway he appeared in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and repeated his role in the film version in 1967.  That same year he played “Batman” villain Lord Marmaduke Fogg. Vallée played himself in “Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana,” the first episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” in 1957.  He died in 1986 at age 84.

Herbie Faye (Luncheonette Manager) was a character actor whose first major role (at age 56) was Corporal Sam Fender in “The Phil Silvers Show” (1955). He also appeared with Silvers on Broadway in Top Banana (1951) and also did the film version (1954) with Silvers. He appeared in a 1968 episode of “The Lucy Show.”  This is the first of his four “Here's Lucy” episodes.

Phil Vandervoort (Steve) appeared in two episodes of “The Lucy Show” where he met Lucie Arnaz. The two were married from 1971 to 1977.  This is the first of his three episodes of the series.

It is fairly obvious that Vandervoort, then Lucie Arnaz's fiancée, was cast to fill in for the absent Desi Arnaz Jr. Also, a character named Steve had already appeared on the series played by Steve March. It is unclear whether this is a recasting or a different character named Steve. 

Vanda Barra (Rudy Vallée's Maid) was Lucille Ball’s cousin-in-law and married to frequent day player Sid Gould. This is just one of her over two dozen appearances on “Here’s Lucy” as well as appearing in Ball’s two 1975 TV movies “Lucy Gets Lucky” (with Dean Martin) and “Three for Two” (with Jackie Gleason). She was seen in half a dozen episodes of “The Lucy Show.”

Joan Carey (Luncheonette Patron, uncredited) was one of the only performers to appear on “I Love Lucy”, “The Lucy Show”, and “Here’s Lucy.”  She was also one of Lucille Ball’s camera and lighting stand-ins. 

Others in the luncheonette, patrons of the Hungry Hippie, and Steve's band are all played by uncredited background performers.

Off-camera background singers are Marnelle Wright, Gloria Wood, George Bledsoe, Thomas D. Kenny, Mack McLean, and Sue Allen.  

The first draft of the script was date May 25, 1970.  It was originally titled “The Rudy Vallée Show”.  

Interestingly, Lucy read the script and made notes aboard United Flight #196 on June 6, 1970 and made extensive notes about how to ‘fix’ it.  

Two days after this episode originally aired (December 2, 1970), Lucie and Desi Jr. appeared on NBC’s “The Kraft Music Hall” with Robert Young and Jane Wyatt hosting. Lucille Ball does not appear.

This is the first of 68 episodes directed by Coby Ruskin. He previously directed episodes of “Gomer Pyle” and “The Andy Griffith Show,” both filmed at Desilu. Ruskin was hired after Herbert Kenwith decided to leave the show after an incident between Lucille Ball and guest star Ruth McDevitt.  

According to Lucille Ball, Rudy Vallée had the foulest mouth of anyone she's worked with and was very difficult while filming this episode.  He would blame every person around him for anything he couldn't do. If he made a mistake, it was always somebody else's fault. On the DVD introduction to the episode, music director Marl Young confirms this opinion. Vallée was well-known in Hollywood for being difficult to work with and to work for, often referred to as a “slave driver.” 

When Harry asks Vallée (who is waiting tables) if he's busy, Vallée responds “My time, is your time.” This was also the title of a song recorded by Rudy Vallée and His Connecticut Yankees in 1929. This was the theme song of “The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour” for many years, and it is heavily associated with that show.  When Lucy and Kim visit Vallée's home, the doorbell plays the first five notes of the song.

To prove his identity to Lucy and Harry, Vallée sings “I'm just a vagabond lover.” The song was written by Vallée and Leon Zimmerman for the 1929 film The Vagabond Lover.

Vallée says he was “the Tiny Tim of the roaring '20s!” The soundtrack then plays “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.”  This is one of many references to “Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In” and the third to reference singer Tiny Tim, an eccentric ukulele player with a similar crooner style who appeared regularly on the program and made the 1929 song popular again.

When Vallée says “Hi Ho” (his signature greeting) to Kim, she guesses he is the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger was a masked avenging cowboy who appeared on radio, in movie serials, and on television.  

Lucy: “Oh, this modern generation!  Some of them don't even know who Bing Crosby is!” Vallée: “Who's Bing Crosby?”

Vallée and Bing Crosby were rival crooners during the 1930s.  In “Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana” (1957, above) Lucy Ricardo tells Vallée she was a member of his fan club but her friend Susie MacNamara (Ann Sothern, left) was trying to recruit her as a Crosby fan instead.  

When asked by Vallée what songs she knows, Kim mentions “Octopus’s Garden,” “Polythene Pam,” and “Mean Mr. Mustard.”  All of these are Beatles songs from 1969. Coincidentally, the day this episode was first aired former Beatles member George Harrison released his triple album set All Things Must Pass.

Kim, Steve, and the band perform "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window" by the Beatles. Vallée also takes a stab at the song which prompts Kim to say “I've never heard it sung quite that way before.”

Considering Lucy's infatuation with diamonds demonstrated in “Lucy Meets the Burtons” (S3;E1) and “Lucy and the Diamond Cutter” (S3;E10), it seems an opportunity lost not to mention or perform the Beatles' 1967 hit “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”  Ah, well.

The set for Vallée's home was decorated with items brought in from Vallée's private collection, including a Wiffenpoof Trophy and a small red megaphone with a letter “Y” on it.  Both of these were likely given to him by Yale University, home of the Wiffenpoofs.

When the full length portrait of Vallée in a raccoon coat is revealed, Vallée says he wore the coat in his first picture, Varsity Hero. In reality, Vallée's first film (aside from two shorts playing himself) was The Vagabond Lover in 1929. Vallée himself was not a fan of the film. In a 1980 interview, he mused 

"They're still fumigating the theaters where it was shown. Almost ruined me. In fact, I think it's only shown in penitentiaries and comfort stations.”

Performing with Lucy and Kim at the Hungry Hippie, Vallée sings a traditional version of “The Wiffenpoof Song” that morphs into an up-tempo rendition.  

The 1909 song was the signature tune of the Yale University a capella singing group. Vallée did not have a hit with it until 1937.  

He then segues into “Let the Sun Shine,” a song from the 1967 rock musical Hair. The number then becomes a medley with the addition of “Winchester Cathedral,” a 1966 song by The New Vaudeville Band, a British novelty group.

The statue of the bearded and caped man was also seen decorating Jack Benny's home in the previous episode.

Craig also wore a raccoon coat in “Lucy, the Co-Ed” (S3;E6) and Fred Mertz wore one in “Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined” (ILL SE;E11).  

Time Warp!  Rudy Vallée says that his style of music is bound to come back into style in 40 or 50 years time.  As of this writing it has been 50 years since he spoke those words.  Any day now...

Birds of a Feather!  Kim mentions a song called “Tennessee Walking Bird” but she probably means “Tennessee Bird Walk,” a 1970 novelty song by Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan that hit #1 on the Billboard Country Charts.

“Lucy and Rudy Vallée” rates 2 Paper Hearts out of 5

This episode attempts to continue the “generation gap” themes of the series so that's a plus. The sad backstories about Vallée's attitude reflect his somewhat distracted and unenthusiastic performance here. The final medley with Vallée in hippie duds is just plain cringe-worthy. The writers also give Kim and Lucy some pretty insipid dialogue.  

Lucy to Vallée: “You mean kids today don't like your music?” Kim to Vallée: “Nobody can teach modern music to the older generation. The older generation just doesn't seem to have any soul.”

[jrueships]

he is MY little guy !!!!

[purkinje-effect]

in case anyone needed more reasons to worry about the mall... yes it's on purpose with the AU that the potluck is congregating. and yes i *am* upsetti i haven't figured out a chronology/reason yet for these two to appear with the above five at any time

gosh that potluck wip is old

[usasharenews]

Clippers, Trail Blazers Exchange 5 Players in Trade

Clippers, Trail Blazers Exchange 5 Players in Trade

The Portland Trail Blazers traded Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, rookie Keon Johnson and a second-round pick in 2025. The trade, coming just less than a week before the NBA’s trade deadline, moved the Trail Blazers under the luxury-tax threshold. Both teams are in danger of having to go through the play-in tournament to…

[glimmerofawesome]

[national-football-league-blog]

#1 overall picks from the 90’s

Tim Couch #1 overall 1999

Peyton Manning #1 overall 1998

Drew Bledsoe #1 overall 1994

Jeff George #1 overall 1990

Ki-Jana Cater #1 overall 1995

Keyshawn Johnson #1 overall 1996

Dan Wilkinson #1 overall 1994

Orlando Pace #1 overall 1997

Steve Emtman #1 overall 1992

Russell Maryland #1 overall 1991

via nflthrowback

[brookstonalmanac]

Birthdays 2.14

Beer Birthdays

Michael Sedlmayr (1848)

Alvin M. Hemrich (1870)

Benedict Frank Haberle (1888)

Denny Conn (1952)

Gregg Wiggins (1954)

Lew Bryson (1959)

Kristi Switzer (1965)

Chuck Silva (1967)

Five Favorite Birthdays

Tim Buckley; rock musician (1946)

Florence Henderson; actor (1934)

Thomas Malthus; economist (1766)

Lois Maxwell; actor (1927)

Simon Pegg; actor, comedian, writer (1970)

Famous Birthdays

Mel Allen; sportscaster (1913)

Jules Asner; model, television personality (1968)

Jack Benny; comedian (1894)

Carl Bernstein; journalist (1944)

Drew Bledsoe; New England Patriots QB (1972)

Michael Bloomberg; clueless businessman, politician (1942)

Odds Bodkin; storyteller (1953)

Lara Croft; Tomb Raider game character (1968)

Frederick Douglass; writer, abolitionist (1817)

Hugh Downs; television host (1921)

George Ferris; inventor, Ferris Wheel inventor (1859)

Zach Galligan; actor, comedian (1964)

Frank Harris; writer (1856)

Woody Hayes; football coach (1913)

Freddie Highmore; actor (1992)

Gregory Hines; actor, dancer (1946)

Jimmy Hoffa; union leader (1913)

Kevin Keegan; soccer player (1951)

Jim Kelly; Buffalo Bills QB (1960)

Margaret Knight; inventor (1838)

Porsche Lynn; porn actor (1962)

Vic Morrow; actor (1929)

Murray the K; D.J. (1922)

George Jean Nathan; writer (1882)

Alan Parker; film director (1942)

Edward Platt; actor (1916)

Thelma Ritter; actor (1905)

Anna Howard Shaw; suffrage leader (1847)

Skeezix; cartoon character (1921)

Jo Jo Starbuck; ice skater (1951)

Katherine Stinson; aviator (1891)

Teller; comedian, magician (1948)

Rob Thomas; rock musician (1972)

Meg Tilly; actor (1960)

Johann Werner; German mathematician (1468)

Charles Wilson; English physicist (1869)

Fritz Zwicky; Swiss astronomer (1898)

[theblackarticle]

#BlackArticle – The last time anyone did what Giannis and Khris Middleton did, it was 1962 | The Jump Follow on blackarticle.com! #BlackArticle X #ESPN

[vnllacosmo]

characters & fandoms *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

overview: the 100, greys anatomy, the walking dead, private practice, glee, victorious, pitch perfect, pretty little liars, gilmore girls, once upon a time, manifest, degrassi, shameless, criminal minds, the fosters, orange is the new black, switched at birth, riverdale, the vampire diaries, the originals, legacies, marvel, friends, lost in space, supergirl, mom (sitcom), full / fuller house, one day at a time, outer banks, rizzoli & isles, american horror story, how to get away with murder, blue bloods, law & order svu, reign, disney fandoms.

the one hundred:

raven reyes

anya kom trikru

echo kom spacekru

abby griffin

bellamy blake

octavia blake

luna kom flourkru

emori kom spacekru

lincoln kom trikru

john murphy

jasper jordan

monty greene

harper mcintyre

clarke griffin

indra kom trikru

commander lexa

grey’s anatomy:

addison montgomery

teddy altman

arizona robbins

meredith grey

miranda bailey

amelia shepherd

lexie grey

callie torres

cristina yang

izzie stevens

april kepner

jo wilson

carina deluca

alex karev

george o’malley

jackson avery

mark sloan

derek shepherd

ellis shepherd (best kid <3)

the walking dead:

maggie rhee

beth greene

glenn rhee

carol peletier

daryl dixon

michonne

andrea harrison

rick grimes

rosita espinosa

carl grimes

sasha williams

tara chambler

mika samuels

yumiko

connie

princess

private practice:

charlotte king

addison montgomery

amelia shepherd

pete wilder

violet turner

glee:

santana lopez

brittany pierce

quinn fabray

mercedes jones

tina cohen-chang

shelby corcoran

holly holliday

victorious:

jade west

cat valentine

beck oliver

andre harris

tori vega

pitch perfect:

aubrey posen

chloe beale

emily junk

beca mitchell

pretty little liars:

alison dilaurentis

spencer hastings

hanna marin

emily fields

mona vanderwaal

toby cavanaugh

caleb rivers

aria montgomery

gilmore girls:

lorelai gilmore

paris geller

luke danes

sookie st. james

emily gilmore

richard gilmore

lane kim

rory gilmore

dean forester

once upon a time:

regina mills

emma swan

zelena mills

snow white / mary margaret blanchard

maleficent

mulan

ruby lucas

belle french

hope swan-mills

henry mills

prince charming / david nolan

manifest:

olive stone

grace stone

michaela stone

ben stone

saanvi bahl

zeke landon

cal stone

degrassi:

paige michalchuk

manny santos

christine nelson

archie simpson

jt yorke

ellie nash

ashley kerwin

jimmy brooks

spinner mason

toby isaacs

liberty van zandt

holly j sinclair

imogen moreno

adam torres

alli bhandari

clare edwards

eli goldsworthy

zoë rivas

grace cardinal

tristan milligan

shameless:

fiona gallagher

veronica fisher

angela (season 5)

kevin ball

lip gallagher

ian gallagher

debbie gallagher

carl gallagher

liam gallagher

sheila jackson

mandy milkovich

mickey milkovich

criminal minds:

emily prentiss

elle greenaway

penelope garcia

derek morgan

aaron hotchner

david rossi

jennifer jareau

the fosters:

stef foster

lena adams

mariana adams-foster

jesus adams-foster

jude adams-foster

orange is the new black:

piper chapman

nicky nichols

poussey washington

alex vause

lorna morello

galina reznikov (red)

gloria mendoza

sophia burset

maritza ramos

switched at birth:

bay kennish

regina vasquez

kathryn kennish

toby kennish

lily summers

melody bledsoe

daphne vasques

riverdale:

alice cooper

betty cooper

veronica lodge

cheryl blossom

kevin keller

archie andrews

toni topaz

hermione lodge

the vampire diaries:

caroline forbes

bonnie bennett

stefan salvatore

katherine pierce

elena gilbert

the originals:

rebekah mikaelson

hayley marshall

elijah mikaelson

klaus mikaelson

legacies:

lizzie saltzman

hope mikaelson

rafael waithe

penelope park

mg

marvel:

jemma simmons (agents of shield)

melinda may (agents of shield)

natasha romanoff (black widow)

yelena belova (black widow)

maria hill (agents of shield)

victoria hand (agents of shield)

bobbi morse (agents of shield)

kate bishop (hawkeye)

lance hunter (agents of shield)

elena rodriguez (agents of shield)

alphonso mackenzie (agents of shield)

leo fitz (agents of shield)

phil coulson (agents of shield)

skye / daisy johnson (agents of shield)

friends:

rachel green

monica geller

phoebe buffay

joey tribbiani

chandler bing

lost in space (2018):

maureen robinson

penny robinson

john robinson

don west

judy robinson

supergirl:

kara danvers

alex danvers

lena luthor

cat grant

astra

mom (sitcom):

bonnie plunkett

christy plunkett

full / fuller house:

dj tanner

stephanie tanner

kimmy gibbler

michelle tanner

ramona gibbler

rocki mahan

jesse katsopolis

joey gladstone

one day at a time:

penelope alvarez

elena alvarez

alex alvarez

lydia alvarez

schneider

outer banks:

kiara carrera

jj maybank

pope heyward

john b routledge

sarah cameron (s2 only)

rizzoli & isles:

jane rizzoli

maura isles

barry frost

angela rizzoli

american horror story:

cordelia goode

misty day

madison montgomery

zoe benson

myrtle snow

queenie

nan

mallory

coco st. pierre vanderbilt

wilhemina venable

how to get away with murder:

bonnie winterbottom

michaela pratt

annalise keating

connor walsh

asher millstone

wes gibbins

laurel castillo

blue bloods:

eddie janko

maria baez

jackie curatola

linda reagan

jamie reagan

danny reagan

erin reagan

law & order (svu):

alex cabot

olivia benson

amanda rollins

reign:

catherine medici

mary stuart

disney:

raven baxter (tsr / raven’s home)

chelsea baxter (tsr / raven’s home)

miley stewart (hannah montana)

lilly truscott (hannah montana)

alex russo (wizards of waverly place)

teddy duncan (good luck charlie)

london tipton (suite life on deck)

maddie fitzpatrick (suite life of zack & cody)

sharpay evans (high school musical)

olivia, mo, & stella (lemonade mouth)

mal, evie, carlos, & jay (descendants)

riley matthews (girl meets world)

[twilightzonecloseup]

3.18 Dead Man’s Shoes

Director: Montgomery Pittman

Director of Photography: George T. Clemens

“Nathan Edward Bledsoe, of the Bowery Bledsoes, a man once, a specter now. One of those myriad modern-day ghosts that haunt the reeking nights of the city in search of a flop, a handout, a glass of forgetfulness.”

[jrgsportsbuzz]

BUCKS SEASON WRAPUP

The Milwaukee Bucks had their most successful season since 1981 in 2019. A new coach (Mike Budenholzer), new arena (Fiserv Forum), continued improvement from superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and supporting cast that fit well together all combined to help the team to a 60-22 record. That was good enough for the top seed in the Eastern Conference as well as the best overall record in the NBA.

Milwaukee was dominant throughout the majority of the season. The Bucks led the league in point differential and were one of the top teams in the league on both ends of the floor. They only lost back-to-back games once during the regular season.

Giannis took another step forward in his development under Budenholzer. The supremely athletic star thrived in a transition-based offense that tailored perfectly to his ever-evolving skillset. Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in scoring, rebounding and assists, became a much more efficient player and is widely believed to be the frontrunner for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Despite Giannis being the focal point, the Bucks could attack teams with a large group. Wing Khris Middleton was second on the team in scoring and, despite some consistency issues, often picked up the slack when Antetokounmpo either didn’t play or was having an off night. Point guard Eric Bledsoe had similar inconsistency problems and was much-maligned for his subpar play in the team’s Eastern Conference Finals (ECF) loss to the Toronto Raptors, but managed to secure a new four-year deal with the Bucks due to his athleticism, leadership and exploits on defense. Combo guard Malcolm Brogdon continued to be the team’s headiest player, as his efficiency and tendency to avoid forcing the issue offensively helped him become one of the league’s most underrated assets. He was injured late in the season, and the team was impacted by his absence. Center Brook Lopez came on a one-year deal and emerged as a surprising 3-point shooting threat. He seemed like a misfit when he signed, but Budenholzer’s system allowed him to diversify his game offensively. Lopez also was a force defensively, leading the team in blocked shots. Reserves such as guards Pat Connaughton, George Hill, Sterling Brown and Tony Snell along with forwards Nikola Mirotic, Ersan Ilyasova, and D.J. Wilson were also instrumental in helping Milwaukee achieve its success.

The team’s dominance continued into the playoffs against the eighth-seeded Detroit Pistons. Milwaukee used its normal ruthless offensive attack and length on defense to completely stifle the undermanned Pistons, who played without star forward Blake Griffin during the first two games and an injured-but-playing Griffin during the last two in Detroit. The Bucks swept the Pistons and outscored them by a combined total of 97 points.

Milwaukee faced the Boston Celtics in the next round and that series began with a rude awakening for the Bucks. The Celtics routed Milwaukee at the Fiserv Forum, 110-88, and appeared to be the favorites after that game. However, Milwaukee got back to its game plan over the next four games and took care of Boston, winning those four, including two in Boston. Both wins in Milwaukee were by 20+ points after Game 1 and the Bucks took over late during Games 3 and 4 in Boston. The overwhelming turnaround set up the Bucks’ ECF match.

The Bucks appeared primed to earn their first NBA Finals appearance since 1974 during the first two games of the series against the Raptors. Milwaukee rallied in the fourth quarter after trailing most of Game 1 to win 108-100 to take the early series lead. The Bucks continued that momentum throughout Game 2, as they beat the Raptors 125-103. Milwaukee was sitting pretty heading to Toronto after taking care of business emphatically at home.

However, the wheels fell off after that, as Toronto employed a more physical playing style that rattled the Bucks. The Raptors won a double-overtime thriller in Game 3 to cut Milwaukee’s lead in half, but many analysts and fans thought this would be Toronto’s only win in the series, as the Bucks did not play their best and still nearly took a 3-0 lead.

Unfortunately for the Bucks, Game 3 gave the Raptors the confidence they needed to take control. Toronto’s significant edge in playoff experience and toughness became too much for Milwaukee to overcome, and signs of that became evident in Game 4. The Bucks played tough throughout much of that game, but the Raptors held a significant advantage throughout and exploded late to a 120-102 victory to even the series. Milwaukee returned to a raucous crowd at the Fiserv Forum in Game 5 and appeared to feed off of that energy. The Bucks held a 14-point lead early and had a double-digit advantage on a few occasions. However, Toronto’s lockdown interior defense rose again, and star forward Kawhi Leonard carried the Raptors offensively down the stretch. The Raptors overcame their deficit and wore the Bucks down in the fourth quarter to take a 3-2 series lead heading back to Toronto. The Bucks faced a tall task in Game 6 to try and force the deciding game in Milwaukee, but nearly rose to the challenge. The team got back to its offensive rhythm over the first three quarters and built a 15-point lead, but the end of Game 5 repeated itself, as Leonard and the Raptors’ suffocating defense took over in the later stages to end the Bucks’ season.

Milwaukee’s 2018-19 season was a breakthrough after years of developing young talent and putting the right mix of players together. Hiring Budenholzer appeared to have given the talented group solid structure and a more concrete, effective game plan. This allowed the Bucks to finally show the rest of the league what they were capable of, and they appeared to be arguably the league’s most dominant team. However, they weren’t a team without weaknesses, and the Raptors knew how to expose them. The most notable shortcoming for the Bucks was their lack of experience on the big stage. Toronto, on the other hand, had a roster loaded with playoff experience, including three players (Leonard, guard Danny Green and forward Serge Ibaka) that had been to the NBA Finals before. Leonard and Green won the 2014 title with the San Antonio Spurs.

The Bucks have a superstar to build around and could be a threat to win an NBA title for years to come, especially having endured the painful collapse against the Raptors. However, they will have some decisions to make. Lopez was on a one-year deal and could seek a more lucrative contract. Middleton is looking for a max deal, and the Bucks may not be able to give it to him or may opt to find production similar to his for less than what he demands. Brogdon is also up for free agency. Mirotic and Hill are two other players who Milwaukee will have to make decisions on as well. General manager Jon Horst will need to be shrewd with his decision-making, as Giannis is up for re-negotiations next off-season. Antetokounmpo has made his commitment to Milwaukee well-known, but has also expressed a strong desire to win (as any player would). If the Bucks don’t make progress next season, there exists a possibility that he may sign a supermax deal elsewhere. Milwaukee took major steps in 2018-19, but it’s imperative for the long-term future of the franchise that it continues that upward trajectory in 2019-20.