Memories: Elisabeth Sladen, Never To Be Forgotten

Lost Apr 19, 2011I've been thinking of you, Lis Sladen. You were, and always will be, the very best.Love,Dan, Jr.youtu.be/elpvW8XdFog

— Dan, Jr. (@DanJunr) April 20, 2013

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: September 21 - 30, 2011

Last Update - October 7, 2011 at 5:41 AM EDT

This is Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' for September 21 through September 30, 2011. Title links and a taste of each item published at the end of September 2011 are included.

Below, you'll find news on television shows, films, Washington Capitals hockey, music, Formula One racing and the WRC.


September 30, 2011

Capitals 4, Sabres 3, SO
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

For the second time in as many games, the Capitals struck first in Friday night’s pre-season tilt against the Buffalo Sabres. And for the second time in as many games, they found themselves trailing in the game before they were able to build on that first marker...


Japan preview quotes - McLaren, Sauber, HRT & Mercedes
Posted at Formula1.com

Ask a Formula One driver to name his favourite tracks and chances are Suzuka will get more mentions than almost any other circuit. Its mixture of gradient, high-speed turns and technical corner combinations make for one of the sport's ultimate challenges - and one that gives a huge sense of satisfaction if you get it right. And with Japan still recovering from a devastating earthquake and tsunami earlier this year, the teams are especially eager to return and show their support...


Formula One Fantasy - Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi
Posted at Formula1.com

Since his debut for Toyota back in 2009 Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi has made a strong impression on F1 racing. A fearless overtaker, Kobayashi is a real entertainer on the track, and ahead of his home race next weekend he reminds us of how entertaining he is off it, too. The Japanese driver explains why his Formula One Fantasies would include racing around a V20-engined Brabham around the streets of Tokyo with Ayrton Senna as a team mate and more...


September 29, 2011

Block boosted by strong pre-event test
Posted at WRC.com

Ken Block says his pre-event test for Rallye de France Alsace was one of the best he has done since he became a regular in the World Rally Championship two years ago...


September 28, 2011

Predators 4, Capitals 1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Washington finished up the road portion of its pre-season slate with a 4-1 loss to the Predators in Nashville on Wednesday night. The setback drops the Capitals to 1-3-1 in the pre-season with two games to go...


Doctor Who Confidential Axed by BBC
Posted at Doctor Who Online

...Doctor Who Confidential, which features behind-the-scenes footage from the making of Doctor Who as well as interviews with the cast and crew, has aired in an early evening slot on BBC3 since 2005, when the corporation revived the main series with Christopher Eccleston as the ninth Time Lord.

However, with the corporation facing budget cuts of up to 20% across its output as part of its Delivering Quality First initiative, BBC controller Zai Bennett has chosen to axe the show at the end of its current series...


France preview notes: Part two
Posted at WRC.com

...Petter Solberg: “I was really happy with our third in Australia. That was a great bonus for both the team and myself. Now I hope we can keep the same pace in France, and hopefully we can defend our third place there from last year.”...


France preview notes: Part one
Posted at WRC.com

...Mikko Hirvonen: “The stages are bumpy and abrasive in some sections, but the biggest surprise last year was how much we could cut the corners and the amount of mud and dirt that was dragged onto the roads. Winning in Australia removed some pressure, but we must carry that success forward and fight for the championship in the final rounds.”...


September 27, 2011

"Best Companion Ever"?: EXCLUSIVE DW Insider, Ep 12
Uploaded to YouTube by BBCAmericaTV

Cliff Burton R.I.P.
By mdome at Classic Rock

On September 27, 1986, Metallica bassist Cliff Burton was tragically killed in a road accident in Sweden. Today marks the 25th anniversary of his death...


Hamilton wows Indian crowds on streets of Bangalore
Posted at Formula1.com

The residents of Bangalore enjoyed a taste of Formula One action on Tuesday as McLaren's Lewis Hamilton took to the streets of the India city in his 2008 world championship-winning MP4-23. Over 40,000 fans lined the temporary track to watch...


September 26, 2011

Postgame Notebook: Capitals 3, Blue Jackets 1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

After suffering through an 0-2-1 start to the 2011 NHL pre-season, the Capitals took advantage of their first taste of home cooking on Monday night. Washington downed the Columbus Blue Jackets by a 3-1 count...


India goes Gaga; McCartney & Spears Abu Dhabi bound
Posted at Formula1.com

Organisers of next month's 2011 Formula 1 Airtel Grand Prix of India have announced that American pop icon Lady Gaga will be the star attraction at the post-race party that will follow Formula One racing's inaugural outing in the country at the all-new Buddh International Circuit...


Shakedown qualifying set for 2012
Posted at WRC.com

Priority 1 and 2 drivers contesting next year's World Rally Championship will be handed one run in shakedown to earn the right to be the first competitor to choose their starting position for the opening day of competition on gravel events...


WRC calendar for 2012 confirmed
Posted at WRC.com

The calendar for the FIA World Rally Championship has been confirmed at a meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in Singapore earlier today...


September 25, 2011

6.13: The Wedding of River Song - Prequel Clip
Posted at Doctor Who Online

The BBC have released a prequel clip for 6.13: The Wedding of River Song:

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Check out this other official
season finale trailer.

Doctor Who: Wedding Of River Song/NEW Season Finale Trailer

September 24, 2011

Review: 'Doctor Who' - 'Closing Time': Partners in parenting
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

At first, I took "Closing Time" to be a light-hearted one-off before the fireworks and tears that will presumably be coming with next week's season finale. After all, it reunited the Doctor with Craig, his goofy flamate from last season's "The Lodger", had a lot of jokes about the Doctor speaking baby, the Doctor getting a job in a department store, and his new co-workers assuming that the Doctor and Craig were a gay couple...


September 23, 2011

Blackhawks 3, Capitals 2
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Aiming for their first pre-season victory in three bids, the Washington Capitals nursed a 1-0 lead into the third period of Friday’s game against the Blackhawks in Chicago. The Caps were somewhat fortunate to have that lead; they followed up a strong first frame in which they forged that 1-0 lead with a sluggish second. Washington went without a shot on goal for the first 10 minutes of the second and it took Tomas Vokoun’s strong netminding to hold the Caps’ slim lead heading into the final 20 minutes...


The Black Country Weekender Round-up
Posted at Home Of Metal

People of the region rolled up and rocked on as the black country weekender came to their town...


'Captain America' Sequel Not Likely Until 2014, Says Chris Evans
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

Captain America next throws his mighty shield at audiences in "Marvel's The Avengers", but after that, Steve Rogers might be on ice again for a little while...


Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

As the light dimmed in Singapore on Friday the Formula One cars came out to play for the first time this year. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton led the way during the opening practice session, but the second saw Red Bull and Ferrari come to the fore. The leading teams and their rivals reflect on their progress at Marina Bay...


Washington Capitals 2011-2012 Previews: Mike Knuble
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

In late March of 1997, Comet Hale-Bopp was making its closest approach to Earth, and Mike Knuble was making his debut in the National Hockey League. The comet was probably the bigger story at the time, but Knuble has managed to skate in almost 1,000 regular season games in the NHL since then. That is a lot of experience. It commands a certain amount of respect, and it was on display last winter...


DOCTOR WHO series 7 delayed till autumn 2012?
By Dan Owen at Dan's Media Digest

This has yet to be confirmed by the BBC itself, but Doctor Who Magazine's latest issue has "officially confirmed" that Series 7 of the sci-fi drama won't reach UK screens until autumn 2012, according to Doctor Who TV...


September 22, 2011

What Alexander Semin Is and Isn't... Yet
By J.P. at Japers' Rink

Even his harshest critics recognize Semin's on-ice brilliance. And it's the failure to consistently perform to the best of his ability when it matters most (along with his $6.7 million salary) that are the primary reasons he has so many and such vocal critics...


FIA Thursday press conference - Singapore
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers - Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso), Timo Glock (Virgin), Sergio Perez (Sauber), Daniel Ricciardo (HRT), Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)...


Former Atomic Rooster Member Dies
By mdome at Classic Rock

Guitarist John Du Cann has passed away after a suspected heart attack.

He first made his name with Atomic Rooster, playing on hits like Devil’s Answer. Subsequently he was a touring guitarist with Thin Lizzy on their 1974 German tour...


Washington Capitals 2011-2012 Previews: Marcus Johansson
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

If one was to tell you that among all the Caps in last season’s playoffs, that at 5-on-5 no Cap posted points with greater frequency than Marcus Johansson, would you believe it? Well, according to the folks at behindthenet.ca, Johansson’s 2.96 points/60 minutes at 5-on-5 led the team. You might think it more a commentary on the Caps’ playoff performance as a whole, but Johansson finished 15th among all players in the playoffs in that statistic...


September 21, 2011

Blue Jackets 4, Capitals 3, OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

A late rally enabled the Washington Capitals to draw even with the host Columbus Blue Jackets in Wednesday’s NHL pre-season game a Nationwide Arena, but the Caps ultimately absorbed a 4-3 overtime setback...


Captain America Blu-ray Trailer Featuring Avengers Sneak
Posted at Super Hero Hype

Marvel Studios has posted this trailer for the Captain America: The First Avengers Blu-ray and DVD hitting stores on October 25th. The video gives us a quick glimpse at the bonus feature on Marvel's The Avengers and you can view screenshots of it below thanks to 'Rashad'! We've also added the press release for the Blu-ray and DVD...

Review: NBC's 'Prime Suspect'
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

...by far the biggest problem in this pilot was the almost cartoonish degree of sexism that Timoney faces. "Prime Suspect" is based on the groundbreaking '90s British drama of the same name, which starred the great Helen Mirren. And as Cunningham says, sexism at the workplace has evolved significantly (if not disappeared) in the 20 or so years since Mirren first put on the badge, and the disgust that the American "Prime Suspect" men show for their Jane could just as easily come from her abrasive personality as from their lack of desire to let an icky girl into their private club. There's an obvious flaw in the pilot, and it's one that Cunningham, director Peter Berg ("Friday Night Lights") and company have recognized and promised to fix moving forward...

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: The first episode is absolute garbage. The biggest problem is actually that the people running the American remake think that New York is the center of the universe, and that overusing New York stereotypes makes the show more edgy and cool. Helen Mirren played Jane Tennison as a strong women. In this version, they try to make the lead female character (Jane Timoney) a "street tough" man.


Bonus Track Of The Day: Gary Moore
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Live At Montreux 2010 was filmed in July last year. It was the great guitarist’s last gig to be filmed, before his death on February 6 this year. This features some of the finest moments in his career, taking in both his hard rock and blues talents, Three of the songs were due to be included on his next studio album, which was sadly never finished...

...It’s the last of these, Oh Wild One, which you can download for free right here. And this is footage from the DVD, so you can see and well as hear Moore in prime action...


Huge numbers attend Rally Australia
Posted at WRC.com

Rally Australia, which took place from 8-11 September, attracted 92,223 fans, organisers of the Coffs Coast event have confirmed...


Review: The Doomsday Quatrain - CD
By Matthew Davis at Doctor Who Online

...Florence in the 16th Century. As the city runs about its normal business, the people are in intrigued and puzzled by the prophecies of the local seer Michel de Nostradame, for he has predicted the end of the world; An end that will come, when ships sail in the sky, bringing monsters from the heavens to unleash fire upon the world. So when the doomsday quatrain starts to come true no-one is more surprised than The Doctor, after all he has seen the end of the world, and it certainly shouldn’t be happening now.

Throwing the seventh Doctor together with the famously celebrated and debunked seer Nostradamus, should make for a delicious cocktail of a story, but what we get is something quite unexpected...


Christmas Special Update - September 2011
Posted at Doctor Who Online

Production has started on the 2011 Doctor Who Christmas Special in which the Doctor (Matt Smith) finds himself in war-torn England embarking on a magical and mysterious adventure with a young widow and her two children.

A stellar guest cast including Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), Bill Bailey (Black Books), Arabella Weir (The Fast Show) and Alexander Armstrong (Armstrong & Miller), join Matt Smith in the emotional festive special, packed full of Christmas thrills and chills...


Rush Announce Three Live Releases
By mdome at Classic Rock

...The celebrated Canadians will be putting out the Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland on Blu-Ray/DVD through Eagle Rock and also on a double CD via Roadrunner...

...In addition, the band are to put out on vinyl a live version of Moving Pictures, under the title of Moving Pictures: Live 2011. This will also be available in digital format...


Washington Capitals 2011-2012 Previews: Matt Hendricks
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...Matt Hendricks is carving out a niche in the National Hockey League by being a practitioner of the latter set of talents. Checking? Hendricks was credited with 169 hits in 882 minutes of ice time last season, or one hit every 5:15 of ice time. By way of comparison, Alex Ovechkin was credited with 241 hits in 1,688 minutes, or one hit for every 7:00 of ice time. You might not think of or want your top scorer to be such a big hitter, but Ovechkin ranked eighth among forwards in hits recorded last season. Hendricks just did it more often...

Today's Tune: "Photographs And Memories" And "Time In A Bottle" By Jim Croce

We lost the great American folk singer, songwriter Jim Croce on September 20, 1973. Junior's Eyes therefore celebrates his meaningful cultural contributions on this anniversary.

Croce's musical creations are the kind that are life changing. When I hear his songs, in my mind, I'm transported back to the happier and easier time of my childhood. There is an emotional link to his music that I never want to lose.

This 'Today's Tune' is a double feature. I've chosen to include a bonus track for a couple of reasons. I love both songs, and they both fit the situation so well that I couldn't pick just one.

"Photographs And Memories" comes from the 1972 album titled 'You Don't Mess Around With Jim'. It was picked because, other than the brilliant five studio albums and a couple live recordings, that's basically almost all we have left of Jim Croce. That might seem greedy, but he was only 30 years old when he died.

When a tremendous musical talent perishes at such a young age, or as in Jim's case, when you realize how special a person that someone is even during their life, you wish you could save their "Time In A Bottle". This song is off the same album, and was released as a single later on, in 1973.

Jim Croce - "Photographs And Memories" (1972)



Jim Croce - "Time In A Bottle" (From 1972 Album, 1973 Single)



Jim Croce talks about early days of his career.

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: September 1 - 10, 2011

Last Update - September 16, 2011 at 7:52 AM EDT

Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' for September 1 through September 10, 2011 contains linked samples of some interesting items that came out at the start of September 2011.

Television shows, movies, Washington Capitals hockey, music, Formula One racing and WRC rally news make it into this group.


September 10, 2011

Review: 'Doctor Who' - 'The Girl Who Waited': Let the right one in
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

..."The Girl Who Waited" was in many ways a very familiar tale, both in terms of the Steven Moffat era of "Doctor Who" and science fiction in general. Moffat has told many stories about characters who have traveled through time the long way while waiting for the Doctor to come back. And practically every sci-fi series at some point or other does an episode featuring an apocalyptic future (or otherwise alternate) version of a main character...


'Torchwood: Miracle Day' - 'The Blood Line': Die another day?
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

...The season was too far gone for the finale to do much in the way of redeeming it, but we at least could have gone out on an interesting note. Instead, there were lots of explosions, lots of yelling, and very little that held my attention or made me feel anything in the way that, say, some of the sacrifices in "Children of Earth" did...


September 9, 2011

Dennis Wideman raring for return after recovering
from leg hematoma
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

Dennis Wideman hadn’t been able to skate all out at Kettler Capitals Iceplex since late March, but on Friday morning, as the Capitals defenseman participated in an informal workout, it appeared as though he had never been sidelined at the end of last season...


Exclusive: Thor's Drinking Buddy, Stellan Skarsgard
By Edward Douglas at Super Hero Hype

Having appeared in movies and television on both sides of the Atlantic for nearly 40 years now, Sweden's Stellan Skarsgard has reached an odd point in his career where he's probably more recognizable to American moviegoers than he was a year ago, and that's even after appearing in two of the blockbuster "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies...


Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

Monza is all about speed, but it was hard to tell which team held the advantage around the Italian track on Friday. The morning session was dominated by McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, but in the afternoon championship leader Sebastian Vettel leapt to the fore for Red Bull. The leading teams and their rivals reflect on their early progress...


Stones To Release 1978 Show On DVD, Blu-ray
By mdome at Classic Rock

...This is to be put out by Eagle Rock Entertainment on November 21. This will be released in four different formats: DVD, DVD + CD, Blu-ray, Blu-ray + CD. It was shot at Forth Worth, Texas on July 18...


Red Bull and Renault announce enhanced engine agreement
Posted at Formula1.com

Red Bull Racing and engine suppliers Renault have confirmed a five-year extension to their successful partnership. The new fuel efficient 1.6L V6-turbo power unit to be introduced under revised 2014 regulations will be incorporated in the framework of the enhanced collaboration...


Classic Rock’s New Releases Round-Up
By mdome at Classic Rock

This week we’re dealing with the final five Queen reissues.

So, the huge campaign of Queen reissues through Universal reaches its conclusion, with the band’s last five being released just as we celebrate what would have been Freddie Mercury’s 65th birthday...


September 8, 2011

Profiles in Cowardice
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

So we're approaching the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Everywhere you look: TV, magazines, Facebook and other internet sites, there are memorials and remembrances of a date that has become the contemporary of either Pearl Harbor or V-J Day, depending upon how you look at it...


FIA Thursday press conference - Italy
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber) Vitantonio Liuzzi (HRT), Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Jarno Trulli (Team Lotus) and Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)...


KHL vows to rebuild Lokomotiv team after plane crash
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

A day after a Russian jet crashed killing nearly every player and coach of KHL’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, the league is already working to rebuild the team...


Nothing to fear for Patterson and Solberg
Posted at WRC.com

Leading navigator Chris Patterson says he and driver Petter Solberg will have nothing to fear on Rally Australia this week, despite a frustrating start to their world championship campaign...


Alice Cooper - Old School box set
By Woody at The Ripple Effect

...The Alice Cooper Old School box is what freaks like me have been dreaming of for years. Two CD’s full of shit you’ve never heard before, an interview CD with all 4 surviving original members (Alice, Neal Smith, Dennis Dunaway and Michael Bruce), a DVD that includes rare live footage and interviews, an insanely great live show from 1971 on CD and LP, a 7” single from their pre-Alice Cooper band the Nazz, a fancy hardcover book and a folder full of reproductions of posters, tour programs, etc. It’s all housed in a massive school desk that revives the School’s Out album cover. FUCK YEAH!!!! That’s what I call totally mint deluxe...

September 7, 2011

Alex Ovechkin Russia Tour: Part 2
Bauer Hockey posted video at YouTube

Crews braced for tricky test in Australia
Posted at WRC.com

Road position and the challenging 30-kilometre Plum Pudding test are among the early talking points as the World Rally Championship entourage began to assemble in Coffs Harbour for this week's Rally Australia...


Michael Shannon Confirms Man of Steel Mo-Cap
By Silas Lesnick at Super Hero Hype

Two weeks ago, an actor who appeared to be Michael Shannon was spotted on the set of Zack Snyder's upcoming Superman reboot Man of Steel in a full motion-capture suit. Since it's known that Shannon will playing General Zod, the outfit sparked much online discussion about the final look of the character, especially given the fact that he was photographed next to the practical costume of fellow Kryptonian Faora (Antje Traue). Now, expect the debate to heat up even further as Shannon confirms to Moviefone that it was, indeed, him in the suit...

EXCLUSIVE 'Thor' Blu-ray Clip Takes You Inside Asgard
By Eric Ditzian at MTV's Splash Page

If "Thor" director Kenneth Branagh has a hidden superpower, it's getting his actors to fall in love with him...

Russian plane carrying KHL’s Lokomotiv crashes, at least 43 dead
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

The hockey community suffered another significant loss Wednesday in what has already been a tragic summer. According to various reports, 43 people are dead and one is critically injured after the plane carrying the KHL’s Lokomotiv crashed while taking off in Yaroslavl, Russia...


KERS - the secret success story of 2011
Posted at Formula1.com

Amid the attention attracted this year by both DRS and the performance characteristics of the Pirelli tyres, the return of KERS has been somewhat swamped in the public eye...


September 6, 2011

Bauer team flew to Moscow to meet with Ovechkin (Part 1)
By tj at Alex Ovetjkin

In this video Ovi shows Bauer team his Dynamo training facility in Moscow, and how he trained there when he was a kid... Turned out this summer he was working out at Dynamo junior hockey school, not in Novogorsk!

Japers' Rink Radio - Episode 52
By Stephen Pepper and Russell Waxman at Japers' Rink Radio

Pepper and Russell are back for a special Labor Day episode, where they welcome to the show hockey writer Dmitry Chesnokov, regular contributor to Yahoo!'s Puck Daddy to discuss the prospects of Messrs. Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin this season for the Washington Capitals ... We'll also have an exclusive interview with Caps' F D.J. King...

NBC remaking FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER
By Dan Owen at Dan's Media Digest

Worrying US remake news, folks. NBC are making a version of Channel 4 hit comedy Friday Night Dinner, which stars Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal as two grown-up brothers who visit their eccentric middle-aged parents for a weekly meal...


Capitals On The Hot Seat, 2011-12 Edition
By J.P. at Japers' Rink

Just about a year ago, we took a look at the Caps' players and suits who would be under the most pressure heading into what probably was the season with the highest pre-season expectations in franchise history. And what we said then is just as true today, so rather than reinvent the wheel...


Alice Cooper Joined In London By Arthur Brown
By mdome at Classic Rock

Alice Cooper has added Arthur Brown to his London Halloween show on October 29.

It happens at Alexandra Palace, with New York Dolls also on the bill, plus fire breathers, stilt walkers and angle grinders...


Australia preview notes: Part two
Posted at WRC.com

...Owner/driver Petter Solberg is back competing in Australia for the first time since 2006. With a solitary podium to his name this season, the ex-world champion will be anxious to add to that tally in New South Wales at the wheel of his privateer Citroen DS3 WRC. He interrupted his preparations for the event with a visit to Sydney’s Sky Tower last Sunday...


September 5, 2011

September 5th - Action This Day!
Posted at Queen Online

Birthdays, Album & DVD Releases, Freddie For A Day & a Doodle!

September 5th 2011...Five For The 5th!

1. Freddie Mercury's 65th Birthday!

2. The release of the final five albums in Queen's re-issue series!

3. Live At Wembley Stadium DVD: 25th Anniversary Edition
and You Tube Stream!

4. Freddie For A Day!

5. The Freddie Google Doodle!

As you can see the 5th of September 2011 is very much Queen Day

Freddie's 65th Birthday is being celebrated by Roger and Brian with a spectacular party at The Savoy Hotel, which has been billed as a night of 'comedy and rock n' roll'. Freddie channelled and spirited attire is the dress code for evening with a mandatory moustache! There is to be a live band, a number of varied acts entertaining the guests, plus a charity auction and raffle all in aid of the Mercury Phoenix Trust. Look out for updates and pictures on www.queenonline.com. Watch the Official Freddie Mercury Birthday video here...

Australia preview notes: Part one
Posted at WRC.com

The World Rally Championship is back on gravel in Australia this week. This is a summary of how the main contenders have prepared and what some of the leading drivers have had to say in the build-up to the Coffs Coast-based event...


September 4, 2011

Inaugural Grand Prix Winner Crowned
Posted at WJZ TV News / CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Baltimore Grand Prix crowns a winner. After a weekend full of racing excitement, Will Power crossed the finish line first...

Shockwaves / Hardradio Podcast #53
Posted at Hardradio.com

On this episode host Bob Nalbandian interviews legendary Diamond Head founding guitarist Brian Tatler, Dangerous Toys/Broken Teeth/Ignitor/Evil United vocalist/frontman Jason McMaster and vocalist Dave Williams and drummer Chris Challice from the great new band Killinger.


ANVIL, BW&BK "Bury The Hatchet" In New Video Interview
By "Metal" Tim Henderson at Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles

...Check out the chat - which BW&BK cameraman David Cardoso said was the most heart-felt and honest interview we did all weekend at Heavy T.O. - below:

September 3, 2011

'Doctor Who' - 'Night Terrors': Welcome to the dollhouse
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

I'm on vacation, but I got to see tonight's "Doctor Who" before I went away for a few days. "Night Terrors" was penned by Steven Moffat's "Sherlock" co-author Mark Gatiss, and I thought it was very strong on the creepy imagery (the dolls in particular) but a bit less effective on the sentimental side of things...


American Le Mans Series Kicks Off Grand Prix Races
Posted at WJZ TV News / CBS Baltimore

...The American Le Mans Series is taking place Saturday that features cars like Ferraris and Porsches. This is exactly what fans have been waiting for, and now that it is here, they cannot get enough of it...

Power Secures Pole For Baltimore Grand Prix
Posted at WJZ TV News / CBS Baltimore

Power used a late surge to earn his seventh pole of the season, a point in the Izod IndyCar Series standings and some peace of mind heading into Sunday’s race on a difficult street course...


September 2, 2011

Nicklas Backstrom: ‘Time for us to grow up’
By Katie Carrera at Capitals Insider

After working with the same personal coach the past four years, Nicklas Backstrom decided to switch up his offseason conditioning routine with the understanding that this year there will be tougher workouts, practices and a more tone around the Capitals’ dressing room...


Loki Is 'More Gangster' In 'Avengers,' Says Tom Hiddleston
By Kara Warner at MTV's Splash Page

...I had the pleasure of chatting with Hiddleston recently to discuss the upcoming Blu-ray release of "Thor" (out on September 13). We also got to chat about his "gangster" new costume, a set photo that leaked for which he did not receive the appropriate credit, and the challenge of playing nice during fight scenes with his fellow cast members. Check out what he had to say...


Ford to capitalise on team member's visit
Posted at WRC.com

Factory Ford drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala will be aiming to make the most of their tyre engineer George Black's visit to Australia in June when the Scot gained an early glimpse of the challenge awaiting the WRC runners next week...


Knowing What We Don't Know About Zone Starts?
By David Getz at Japers' Rink

When it comes to nitty-gritty hockey discussions, ones on zone starts are among the most interesting because they touch on just about every aspect of the game. From on-ice strategy, to what goes on behind the bench, to front office management and statistical analysis, how to treat zone starts provides ample discussion for just about any hardcore hockey fan...


Formula One Fantasy - Lotus's Jarno Trulli
Posted at Formula1.com

Ranking fifth on the list of most race starts, with 245 to his name, Lotus's Jarno Trulli has been around the F1 block a fair few times. And though he may have won just one race during his 15-year career, Trulli's seen and done just about everything there is to do in Formula One racing. Even so, there's still plenty left on the Italian's F1 fantasy wish list...


Italy preview quotes - Renault, FIA, Ferrari, Force India & more
Posted at Formula1.com - Updated September 7, 2011

With average speeds of 250 km/h and top speeds of 340km/h, Monza is the quickest circuit on the calendar, as well as one of the oldest. Also home to Ferrari superfans - the Tifosi - the track isn't short on atmosphere either. Drivers and team members explain why they love Monza and discuss their prospects...


September 1, 2011

'Avengers' Sneak Peek And 'The Consultant' Short Arrive Online
By Danica Davidson at MTV's Splash Page

...Posted over at Movies.com, the "Avengers" sneak peek offers several cool things. You get to see short clips from the movie and glimpses into each of the characters...


Progress 'beyond expectations' in India
Posted at Formula1.com

FIA race director Charlie Whiting says progress at India's new Formula One venue, the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) near New Delhi, is 'beyond expectations'. That is according to Vicky Chandhok, head of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, who accompanied Whiting on an inspection of the facility on Thursday...


Farewell to a Broadcast King
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

As summer comes to a close we learn of another important and impassioned media voice for hockey leaving Washington for an exciting career opportunity. Comcast Sportsnet’s Russ Thaler begins the on-air portion of a new chapter in his broadcast career with NBC Sports next week, having worked as an original talent at Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic since its inception more than 10 years ago...


Black Country Communion Release Video Trailer
For Upcoming 'Live Over Europe' DVD
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Black Country Communion, the Anglo - American hard rock supergroup ... have released the trailer for the upcoming DVD release 'Live Over Europe'.

The DVD is set for a release date worldwide October 24, 2011...

Webber: It would have been a mistake to quit now
Posted at Formula1.com

Mark Webber's decision to stay with Red Bull for 2012, announced over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, was an easy one to make says the Australian, who still feels he has plenty to offer the team - and Formula One racing...

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: July 1 - July 10, 2011

Last Update - August 2, 2011 at 7:30 AM EDT

Junior's July 1 through July 10, 2011 'Reading And Viewing List' has link titles, with bits of published articles, from the beginning of July 2011.

New films, Washington Capitals hockey, music, Formula One racing and WRC rally news show up in this list.


July 10, 2011

Former Motörhead Guitarist Michael "Würzel" Burston Dead at 61
Posted at Noise Creep

Sad news for headbangers: Former Motörhead guitarist Michael "Würzel" Burston, who joined the legendary metal band in 1984 and performed with them for 11 years, has passed away at the age of 61. Several sources report that Burston died from ventricular fibrillation, caused by cardiomyopathy...


July 9, 2011

"I think it’s odd how it’s mirrored my life so much" - Eve Myles
By Rachel Mainwaring - Posted by Brian at EveMyles.net

Eve Myles is Gwen Cooper. She’s a feisty Welsh policewoman and new mum who is hiding out in rural Wales with her husband Rhys (Kai Owen)...


A Capitol Fourth
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

I spent a wonderful three days in Washington D.C. this past week with my son and two of his best friends. I felt like a tour guide, mentor and history teacher as I dragged these kids all over Northern Virginia in search of new and interesting sites to see...


July 8, 2011

Washington Capitals trade Eric Fehr to Winnipeg Jets
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

In an effort to clear space under the salary cap, the Capitals traded right wing Eric Fehr to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2012 and prospect Danick Paquette...


Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

The weather dominated proceedings on the opening day of practice for this weekend's British round. In the morning Red Bull's Mark Webber ended the session in front, whilst Ferrari's Felipe Massa was top dog in the afternoon. The drivers and senior team personnel report on the early running at Silverstone...


The opening of Hell Bent for Leather at Walsall Leather Museum
Posted at Home Of Metal

Image: Katja Ogrin

Last night saw the opening of Home of Metal's 'Hell Bent for Leather' Exhibition a the fantastic Leather Museum in Walsall. The Exhibition celebrates Judas Priest and the Heavy Metal Look, as created for Judas Priest by Ray Brown Fashion...


Tough route for Monte Carlo season-opener
Posted at WRC.com

Rallye Monte Carlo organisers have revealed preliminary details of the route of next year's World Rally Championship opener - and crews should be braced for an early shock to the system...


July 7, 2011

More Captain America Photos Revealed
Posted at Super Hero Hype

Paramount Pictures has revealed more photos from Marvel Studios' Captain America: The First Avenger and you can check them out below. Opening in 3D and 2D theaters on July 22, the Joe Johnston-directed film stars Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Toby Jones, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke and Stanley Tucci...


Review: Starz's 'Torchwood: Miracle Day'
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching

There are two different shows co-existing under the title "Torchwood: Miracle Day" (Friday at 10 p.m. on Starz). The first is a classic kind of science fiction story, built around a simple what if? question: what would happen if every person in the world suddenly became incapable of dying? The second is a familiar action thriller in which a rogue team of government agents try to find out who made everyone immortal, and why...


New 'Captain America' Featurettes Discuss Character,
Period Setting
By Danica Davidson at MTV's Splash Page

..."We soon found it was essential to the story", he says. "Once you took Cap out of that time period, it was more difficult to understand. We made the decision to tell the story the way it was originally told in 1941 by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon."...


FIA Thursday press conference - Great Britain
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers - Rubens Barrichello (Williams), Jenson Button (McLaren), Paul Di Resta (Force India), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Daniel Ricciardo (HRT)...


WRC fans prefer all-black Fiesta...
Posted at WRC.com

...In an online poll on Wrc.com, users were asked if they preferred the all-black paintjob used for the test to the more traditional blue and white rally version. A staggering 91 per cent said that they did...


Loeb savours motorbike switch
Posted at WRC.com

World rally champion Sebastien Loeb has made the switch from four wheels to two after sampling a KTM RC8 R in his native France last month...


Great Britain preview - predictions blowing in the wind
Posted at Formula1.com

Red Bull have dominated the last two British Grands Prix, with Sebastian Vettel running away in 2009 and Mark Webber doing likewise last year. Adrian Newey's car seems to have an unbeatable aerodynamic advantage at the Northhamptonshire track. But the highly knowledgeable crowd will be willing on McLaren, as Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton hunt for victory on home soil...


July 6, 2011

Firewall & Iceberg Podcast, episode 82: 'Torchwood: Miracle Day',
'Curb Your Enthusiasm' & more
By Alan Sepinwall and Daniel Fienberg via What's Alan Watching

Dan was traveling back from Canada in the early part of the week, so the Firewall & Iceberg Podcast makes a temporary Wednesday return, and a fairly busy one, as we discuss "Torchwood: Miracle Day", "Curb Your Enthusiasm", the "Treme" finale, a new "Twin Peaks" and answer several letters...

...As always, you can subscribe to The Firewall & Iceberg Podcast over at the iTunes Store, where you can also rate us and comment on us. Or you can always follow our RSS Feed, download the MP3 file or stream it on Dan's blog...


Washington Capitals sign Troy Brouwer
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

The Capitals have signed winger Troy Brouwer to a two-year contract worth $2.35 million per season. The details of Brouwer’s salary were first reported by TSN’s Gord Miller...


Hold on to your hats, it's high-speed Silverstone
Posted at Formula1.com

Silverstone's layout has changed many times, but in its 61 years on the calendar, one thing has remained constant: speed. By the mid '80s, it was Formula One's fastest track; indeed, Keke Rosberg's '85 pole lap boasted the highest average lap speed in F1 - 259 km/h - until 2002. And though the old circuit was lengthened for 2010, it retained its essential character, and even gained another flat-out sweeper...


July 5, 2011

Man Of Steel Set Photos
By Silas Lesnick at Super Hero Hype

Set construction is now underway for Zack Snyder's soon-to-shoot Superman reboot, Man of Steel. Today, Superman Homepage offers a first look at what is said to be some of the newly-built sets at the film's Plano, Illinois location...


How Roman Hamrlik Fits in on the Caps Blue Line
Posted by David Getz at Japers' Rink

Of the roster moves the Capitals have made over the last couple of weeks, the signing of veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik may be the least sexy. It didn't involve any off-ice drama, any high draft picks. or the return of a former captain, and it didn't even address the team's most obvious need. Despite that, Hamrlik, who's a versatile player with more than 1,400 combined NHL regular season and playoff games, should have an immediate and significant impact on the Capitals blue line...


Neil Peart, Jason Bonham In Rhythm Magazine
By mdome at Classic Rock

The new issue of Rhythm magazine is on sale now – and it includes a major interview with Rush’s Neil Peart...


Herman Rarebell Writes His Autobiography
By mdome at Classic Rock

Former Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell is to publish his autobiography in the autumn...


July 4, 2011

Williams to revive Renault engine partnership
Posted at Formula1.com

Williams are to switch from Cosworth to Renault power for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, it was announced on Monday, reviving one of Formula One's most famous partnerships. Between 1989 and 1997, Williams and Renault won four drivers' and five constructors' titles together...


Mission accomplished for Ford in France
Posted at WRC.com

...Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala spent two days each testing Ford’s all-black Fiesta RS WRC to prepare for the sealed-surface rounds in Germany, France and Spain later this season...


Alice Cooper Joins Foo Fighters Onstage
By mdome at Classic Rock

He performed School’s Out and I’m 18 with the band. Check out the footage here...


July 2, 2011

I Can Live With This Line-Up For Next Season
How About Youse Guys?
By Usually Frustrated Caps Fan at Mark's Musings

Here's the way I now see the Caps Line-up for the start of the 2011-2012 season and I'm liking it a lot...


Washington Capitals sign goalie Tomas Vokoun
By Lindsay Applebaum at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

The Washington Capitals have signed Tomas Vokoun to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, his agent confirmed to The Post’s Katie Carrera on Saturday. The signing was first reported by TSN...


Former Capital Matt Bradley signs with Florida Panthers
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

Veteran right wing Matt Bradley has become the latest former Capital to join part in the rebuilding of the Florida Panthers...


July 1, 2011

Free Agent Signing Period Day One -- For the Caps,
a Case of "Then and Now"
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...the Caps closed Day One of the unrestricted free agency signing period with a whirlwind of activity. Level 5 hurricane is more like it. The Caps made four separate deals this afternoon – three free agency signings and an unexpected trade:...


Halpern Comes Home
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

On the first day of the NHL’s unrestricted free agency period, the Capitals and Jeff Halpern are out to prove Thomas Wolfe wrong. The Caps and Halpern agreed to terms on a one-year deal for the veteran center – a native of Potomac, MD – to return to Washington and the team that gave him his start in the league in 1999-00...


Solbergs to star in Cars 2 movie
Posted at WRC.com

World Rally Championship aces Henning and Petter Solberg will lend their voices to the new Cars 2 movie when it's released in their native Norway next month...


FIA Q&A: 2014 engines are a step forward
Posted at Formula1.com

From 2014 new Formula One engine regulations will be introduced, replacing the current 2.4 litre V8s with more efficient 1.6 litre, turbocharged V6s. The FIA discuss the pros and cons of the change and explain why their original plans for four-cylinder engines in 2013 were discarded after consultation with the teams...


2010-2011 By the Tens -- Goaltenders: Michal Neuvirth
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

Michal Neuvirth came into the 2010-2011 season in a battle with Semyon Varlamov to see which of the two graduates of the draft class of 2006 would emerge as the Caps’ number one goaltender (that is, when they weren’t wondering if the Caps would get a veteran that would bump one of them off the roster)...


A Marriage Proposal
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

I was in Charleston, South Carolina last October and I saw a white girl and a black man holding hands, walking near the waterfront, oblivious to anyone around them. They were smiling, laughing and enjoying a cool Autumn evening...

Today's Tune: "Country Girl" & "Neon Knights" By Heaven & Hell

Performing in Montreux, Switzerland, on July 7, 2007.
Photo by Sandro Campardo - AP Photo / Keystone.

One year ago today, singer and song writer Ronnie James Dio passed away (67 years old), by the hands of stomach cancer. Naturally, Ronnie has been on my mind, and remembered by millions and millions of other fans as well. Therefore, this 'Today's Tune' combo was selected to honor and remember that great man.

He was lead singer for some great bands in his time - Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell. Both of these tracks are originally from the first two Black Sabbath albums that Mr. Dio recorded with the band. I was fortunate enough to see Sabbath on both of the subsequent tours that followed. I remember those times fondly, to say the least.

The following video is from a live Heaven & Hell concert. A taste of "Country Girl", from 'Mob Rules' (1981), starts it off. Then, "Neon Knights" (1980), which was a single from the album 'Heaven And Hell', goes into full flight.

Click here, to see my long post from a few days after Ronnie's death in 2010.

Heaven & Hell - "Country Girl" & "Neon Knights"
Live - June 16, 2009

Today's Tune: "Ride The Wild Wind" By Queen

May 1, 1994 photo of Ayrton Senna by Mark Sandten / Getty Images

Like many Formula One racing fans, today I'm remembering three-time world champion Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna. Senna died on May 1, 1994, from severe head injuries sustained in a crash, while leading in the controversial 1994 Italian (San Marino) Grand Prix.

That whole weekend was pretty wierd, as many many things went wrong, before and during the actual race. During the Friday qualifying, Rubens Barrichello (also from Brazil) was involved in a bad accident, when his car flew into a stack of tires and a fence after becoming airborne. Barrichello would eventually recover from his injuries, but Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger was killed in qualifying the next day (Saturday), when he crashed into a concrete wall. Ayrton Senna, was very upset by the incidents and how things were handled at the time, but he would still race on Sunday.

Unfortunately, there was another accident and safety car issues at the start the race, then tragedy struck after the restart. Senna's car ran off the track and crashed into a concrete wall. The car broke into pieces, pieces which caused multiple and fatal head injuries to the racing legend.

BBC News coverage after fatal crash



Crash / Tribute video with music by Moby

Queen drummer Roger Taylor has a well known passion for cars and racing. He wrote the automotively inspired "Ride The Wild Wind" (1991), which serves as the 'Today's Tune' for this installment.

Queen - "Ride The Wild Wind" (1991)