Fill Up With Laughs At Corner Gas

"Corner Gas" is one of my favorite TV shows. I just can't get enough of this continuously top rated and award winning Canadian comedy, created by standup comedian, actor, writer, executive producer Brent Butt. Many US fans have gotten hooked on this CTV original since WGN America started airing it last year.

Production of the sixth and unfortunately final season finished three weeks ago. The first episode of the season will air on CTV in Canada on Monday night, October 13th. It remains a mystery when WGN America will start showing the new stuff. Ending the series was Butt's idea. He would rather end the show while it's still doing well, than wait until it's grows tired and stale.

For those of you that aren't familiar with "Corner Gas", the following includes parts of a description of the show and some Brent Butt background from Corner Gas Online.

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Forty kilometres from nowhere and way beyond normal is Corner Gas, an ensemble comedy series about a bunch of nobodies who get up to a whole lot of nothing in the fictional prairie town of Dog River. StarringSaskatchewan native and Gemini winner Brent Butt, Corner Gas is a roadside service station and is also the first original narrative comedy series in Canada. So far, the series has been honoured with the numerous awards and nominations ...

... Corner Gas focuses on the life (or lack thereof) of Brent LeRoy, proprietor of a gas station that is the only stop for miles around and a hub of action on the Prairies. As LeRoy, Canadian Comedy Award winner and series creator Brent Butt returns to his native province to portray the life he would have led had he gotten a real job: pumping gas in a small prairie town.


Dog River is a place where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Populated by a group of regular folks, the town's many "distinguished” residents include Brent’s parents Oscar and Emma (Eric Peterson and Janet Wright), coffee shop owner Lacey Burrows (Gabrielle Miller), his best friend Hank Yarbo (Fred Ewanuick), police officers Davis Quinton (Lorne Cardinal) and Karen Pelly (New Waterford Girl’s Tara Spencer-Nairn) and retail assistant Wanda (Nancy Robertson) ...

... “With genuine characters and a gentle pace, Corner Gas is a comedy that is instantly likable,” said Susanne Boyce, CTV’s President of Programming and Chair of the Media Group. “Brent Butt is one of Canada’s most respected and funniest comedians for a reason: he has broad appeal and a generous comedic approach."

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"Corner Gas" may be ending by Spring of 2009, but Brent already has a pilot for a new show in the works. The new show is called "Hiccups". Both Brent Butt and his real life wife Nancy Robertson, whom he met through doing Corner Gas, will be in the cast.

If you watch "Corner Gas", you'll notice it has two great theme songs. Each episode has always started with "Not A Lot Goin' On" by Craig Northey and Jesse Valenzuela. Northey also wrote the closing tune "My Happy Place". One thing I should mention about people from Saskatchewan. They don't like it when you point out how flat it is. I mean it, don't ever mention how flat Saskatchewan is.

*Photos from Cornergas.com



Brent Butt on "The Hour" after Season 5



Season 1 - Episode 6: "World's Biggest Things" Smashdown



Season 5 - Episode 14: "Contagious Fortune" Highlights

The Best Current Investment Advice

A couple days ago, my younger sister passed along to me the best current investment advice. She no doubt received the following information from a very wise and experienced financial wizard, who is aware of the latest profit earning strategies.

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Photo by Justin Brandt - April 4, 2008

If you had purchased $1,000 of Delta Air Lines stock one year ago, you would have $49 left.

With Fannie Mae, you would have $2.50 left of the original $1,000.

With AIG, you would have less than $15 left.

But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drunk all of the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have $214 cash.

Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle.

It's called the 401-Keg.

Photo from Converting Magazine - June 25, 2008

Do You Need A New Best Friend?

Why don't you take your best friend out for a cold one, or even meet a new best friend? I bet you could do both, if you wanted to. If this sounds interesting, check out the following event.

The Fallston Animal Rescue Movement, Inc. (F.A.R.M.)

bestfriendsfurever.com

Which Are More Cute, Pigs Or Cows?

Photo from Nature at PBS.org/wnet

Which are more cute, pigs or cows? I don't know, but they're both mighty tasty. Apparently, "Johnny Law" feels that pigs are more cute (Ironic, huh?), at least in Upperco, MD.

I only ask which are more cute, because that seems to be the scale society usually uses to decide whether or not to protect a certain species. "Johnny Law", or at least Baltimore County health officials, are concerned about "Pig Mud Wrestling" events that are scheduled to take place at Spring Meadow Farms on Saturdays through the month of October.

Photo by Richard Bartz

I understand why someone would be concerned about the treatment of the animals. I don't like the wrestling idea, myself. But, if you're going to allow bulls to be wrestled down and tied up during rodeos at the State Fair, you can't rightfully disallow pigs being treated in a similar way.

This matter was brought to my attention via an article titled "Md. Farm Owner Plans Pig Mud Wrestling Event" at WJZ.com . Click here for the video version of the report.

Washington Capitals 2008 Preseason Games

The 2008 Preseason Games start at 7:00 PM tonight for the Washington Capitals. The first team they will face is the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, NC.

The Capitals have made September interesting so far. The youngsters who attended Washington's Rookie Camp squashed their opponents from the Philadelphia Flyers camp 7-0 last Thursday, in the annual rookie scrimmage game. That was followed by the first annual Gaetan Duchesne Cup being awarded, after a series of scrimmage games at Training Camp. Now, it's time to check out our remaining players in the preseason games versus other teams, before the final cuts are made. To see the entire schedule, click here.

Fans can listen to all seven preseason games and watch (if they are within the Washington, DC area) the three home games live via WashingtonCaps.com . To watch the away games online, you might try the oppossing team's web sites. I don't know if that will work or not, but it's worth a try. The last four games can also be listened to via WFED 1500 AM and WWFD 820 AM radio.

Capitals On Comcast SportsNet Sept. 2008 Part 3

Check out the latest Comcast SportsNet video clips pertaining to the Washington Capitals. The Rookie Camp has ended and this season's Training Camp officially started today, so there will be more familiar faces showing up in the sports news reports now.

Bruce Boudreau says winning the Stanley Cup is their Goal 09/19/2008



Alex Ovechkin at Hair Cuttery Photo Shoot 09/19/2008

Go Ahead, Have Another One Alex

I think Alex Ovechkin deserves more than one post on his birthday. So, here's the second for today. To help further celebrate his big day, I've decided to add the following video. It's Alexander Ovechkin on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. This one's from back in June of this year, between the end of the 2007-2008 season and the 2008 NHL Awards Show. Ovie was his usual wonderfully witty self.

So yeah, like I said ... Go ahead, have another one Alex. That goes for great seasons too! Thanks in advance Big Al.

Happy 23rd Birthday Ovie

Alex Ovechkin turns 23 years old today. He was born on September 17, 1985, the same day that the Soyuz T-14 carried three cosmonauts to the Salyut 7 Space Station. An amazing hockey player, some may compare to a "Rocket" that had great success in the NHL years ago. But like the Soyuz T-14, we Washington Capitals fans cheer these days for an "out of this world" Russian model.

СЧАСТЛИВЫЙ ДЕНЬ РОЖДЕНИЯ АЛЕКС! = HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!

Capitals On Comcast SportsNet Sept. 2008 Part 2

We're half way through September 2008, and the hockey coverage by Comcast SportsNet continues to increase. Fans of the Washington Capitals are surely pleased about seeing more about their team. I know I can't get enough, so bring it on.

Lisa Hillary at Rookie Camp 09/15/2008



Alex Ovechkin's Crazy Eights Skills Session 09/15/2008

Capitals On Comcast SportsNet Sept. 2008 Part 1

It's becoming obvious that the 2008-2009 NHL Hockey season is getting close to starting, as Comcast SportsNet began to increase coverage of the Washington Capitals this past week.

The folowing videos include some interesting early September activity. The first shows the local media at a one day fantasy camp type event, getting instruction from goalie Brent Johnson and tough guy forward Donald Brashear. The second is Cap's head coach Bruce Boudreau being his usual entertaining self on Washington Post Live.

Local Media at Capitals Fantasy Camp 09/09/2008



Coach Boudreau on WPL 09/09/2008

Ovechkin Is Good With Kids

Photo from Getty Images

Well ladies, as if you needed another reason to fantasize about someday marrying Washington Capitals' superstar hockey player Alexander Ovechkin, he spent today showing how he's good with kids.

For Ovechkin, Monday September 15th was all about the kids. After checking with Coach Boudreau first thing this morning, Alex skated with the youngsters during their second day at Rookie Camp. Can you imagine what a thrill that must have been? Hey, people shell out good money to play with big name athletes at fantasy camps. These guys were getting to live a dream, while trying to earn there way into the NHL.

Later on, Ovie was working with some more kids. These were a little younger though. This time it was with 6 to 14 year olds in the Crazy Eights Skills Session at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. The participants in this event received hands on instruction from Ovechkin. Each of them also got an autograph afterwards. Alex made sure they all had a good time. What a guy!

It's About Time For Some Hockey!

Graphic from Washington Capitals team site

Finally, the time has come for hockey to get back under way. And not a moment too soon for me and my fellow hockey starved fans. The start of the 2008-2009 NHL Hockey Season is now fast approaching, and players are hitting the ice.

Veteran Washington Capitals players have been arriving in town over the last few weeks and starting to skate at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Rookie and Training Camp Rosters and Practice Schedules have been posted. Rookie Camp started yesterday, and so now there is some real hockey news to be reported on.

Check out the team site and the Cap's bloggers every day, for there will be plenty of interesting things to take in on a daily basis from now through June. Don't miss out on the excitement that is sure to take place. There's already a few good interview videos over at Caps TV. When it comes to hockey, we no longer have to live with the phrase, "There's Not A Lot Goin' On".

As Summer 2008 Wanes, So Does Live Music

The Summer of 2008 is coming to an end, and the amount of live concerts in the Mid-Atlantic is dwindling somewhat along with it. There isn't a huge number of good shows left on the schedule before the year ends. We should see some additions soon, but I thought I'd list most of what's currently on the horizon.

Hagerstown, MD's own hard rockers, Kix will be doing a few performances in the area this month. They'll be at Jaxx Night Club in West Springfield, VA on the 12th, onto Rams Head Live! in Baltimore, MD on the 13th (with Fishnet Stalkers), and at Cancun Cantina - West in Hagerstown, MD the 19th of September.

Motorhead pay another visit to the area on September 18th, but this time they are the headliners when they play at Rams Head Live! Opening for the band that never stops touring, will be The Misfits, Valient Thorr and Year Long Disaster.

Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD will host southerners The Allman Brothers Band, along with Phil Lesh And Friends, on September 30th.

One of the world's best classic rock bands, The Who play at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC on November 3rd. If there are any tickets left for this show, I'd be afraid to ask how much they're going for.


If you're into the blues, don't miss B.B. King, when he visits Birchmere in Alexandria, VA on November 26. There really isn't anyone else quite like him.

There are a couple more things happening before the end of the year, but I'll include them in another post.

Freddie's Birthday Is September 5th

Farrokh Bulsara, better known as singer, songwriter and musician Freddie Mercury, was born on September 5th, 1946 in Stone Town on Zanzibar, near the coast of mainland Tanzania. He and his family, of Parsi heritage, moved to London, England in 1964 due to the Zanzibar Revolution. Freddie died November 24th, 1991, just one day after publicly announcing that he had AIDS.

I often think of Freddie, and like many of his fans and loved ones, wonder what what would have been if he were still alive. I'm sure he would have created and performed much more amazing music. I get very sad when I think of him being gone. But it's mostly the beauty, energy and truly honest feeling he put into every bit of his music and his life, that often brings a tear to my eyes when I watch his videos and listen to the music.

Memories of Freddie and his music, whether with Queen or any of his solo or collaborative ventures, also puts me in a good mood many times. He still is my favorite singer. He was lead singer for my all time favorite band, Queen. I had a blast at the concerts, along with good friends and family (sisters - Kim and Cherie). It's incredible how this one person, whom I've never actually met, has been with me for some of the saddest and most joyous times of my life.

Thank you Freddie Mercury!

Queen - "The Show Must Go On"

Queen - "Too Much Love Will Kill You"

Queen - "These Are The Days Of Our Lives"

Happy Birthday Funny Guys

A couple really funny guys were born on August 29th. Both American actor Elliott Gould and British comedic actor, writer Lenny Henry celebrate their birthdays today. Have a good one, guys!

Donald Sutherland and Elliott Gould in the movie 'M*A*S*H'
Photo from ElliottGould.com

Elliott Gould was born Elliott Goldstein, the son of Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn, New York in 1938. He has appeared in many movies since his career started in the 1960's, including comedies and dramas. When I think of Gould, I remember him as Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre in the wonderfully humorous 1970 movie 'M*A*S*H'. I also remember his many recurring appearances in various TV sitcoms, like 'Friends', where he played Monica and Ross's dad, Jack Geller.

Caroline Lee-Johnson and Lenny Henry in 'Chef!'
Photo from LennyHenry.com

Britain's comedy genius Lenworth George Henry CBE, better known as Lenny Henry, was born in 1958. He's the son of Jamaican immigrants who moved to England from the West Indies years before the day of his birth. He started his career as a character actor in the 1970's. He appeared in and wrote for sketch comedy shows and did stand up performances early on. He met his wife Dawn French, another brilliant comedy actor, in the early 1980's. Henry has been involved in many successful projects, both funny and serious. He has also had some good fortune as a singer, but his preference is comedy actor. If you watch the Britcoms on public television, you've probably enjoyed watching him play the lead character Gareth Blackstock, in the hilarious show, 'Chef!'. Of course, Mrs. Blackstock was played by the super fine Caroline Lee-Johnson. I guess Lenny Henry might be considered kind of pretty as well by some, but he's definitely super funny!

'M*A*S*H' movie trailer - 1970

'Chef!' - Highlights of "England Expects" episode

Kelly Hansen Interviewed On 100.7 The Bay

Kelly Hansen(Inset Kelly Hansen photo from Foreigner's official web site) started out as a studio / session singer. He later worked on a few projects with members of well known bands, like Quiet Riot and Poison. In 2005, he became the new lead singer for Foreigner.

A few weeks ago, I listed a few Foreigner concert dates in the Mid-Atlantic region. Included in that list, is tonight's show at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium, MD.

Klug, of 100.7 The Bay FM Radio, recently interviewed Hansen. They talked about Kelly's early projects, joining the band Foreigner, and tonight's concert. Below are links to the two part session.

Part 1 - Kelly Hansen on 100.7 The Bay


Part 2 - Kelly Hansen on 100.7 The Bay