Hello again, hello. I'll start with movie reviews, but nothing from the Jazz Singer.

"Hoax". Who knew? Richard Gere really can act. Intriguing true story of a guy who bluffs his way into the biggest book advance of the time. Indisputable proof that if you act as if you belong, most people will believe you, even if you're falsely claiming to have Howard Hughes' autobiography. Nothing about inappropriate kissing. B


"Reign Over Me". Who knew? Adam Sandler can act. This movie about the post-traumatic stress of 9/11 is both funny and heartbreaking. It also features great music by The Who, Springsteen, and Pearl Jam. Uneven but unforgettable. Bring tissues. A-


"Fracture". Who knew? Anthony Hopkins can act. Everyone knew. Hopkins at his slimy, condescending best and Ryan Gosling again proving there's life after The Notebook. These two make a decent movie very good. Did you see "Primal Fear"? It's a lot like that. See if you can figure out the big twist. B+

Saw two of those movies in Kansas City with Jenny. You can't beat The Plaza for a weekend getaway, especially if you Priceline a hotel, only window shop, and remember to go see the Royals. It's too bad the Royals no longer have any shot at a winning season because Kauffman Stadium is great place for baseball...

How long does Greg McDermott need to review Mike Taylor's conduct?...

Last time out I mentioned baseball couldn't get more backed up at Raccoon Valley Little League. WRONG. Since writing that, Noah started building an ark out there...

How can the Cubs spend so much money and start so poorly? It's not the year...

If you've ever dreamed of taking swings at Principal Park, you can do it Monday night. All you need is a ticket and some nerve. Anyone who wants to can sign a waiver and get in the box. Show up between 4:30 and 6 pm...

I think it's easy to take for granted how fortunate we are to have the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines. I took in two day games last week and that's just a fantastic facility. Every upgrade works...

Same could be said---should be said---for the Drake Relays. Bravo...

I interviewed the beautiful and talented Lolo Jones tonight. Lolo is a Des Moines Roosevelt grad who just won the U.S. Indoor 60 meter hurdles championship. I like Lolo even more after she hit me with the "Blue Steel". She knows "Zoolander" is brilliant, not stupid, which means Lolo is not only fast, she's quick...

As required by sportscaster law, I went to Peggy's to celebrate the Relays. Yes, I paid my respects to the Godfather, John Walters. You stay on the good side of the man who can have any person removed at anytime...

I have Andy Garman to thank for buying me an outrageously priced $5 beer. Thank you, Andy. This almost makes up for the time I paid for Andy's Steak-N-Shake order in Indianapolis. That dude can eat...

Andy Fales had Shawn and me laughing so hard we nearly fell down. He was recalling a story he did for our newscast when he first started about an Olympic trainer. Through an unfortunate miscue, the only portion of Andy's report that aired was the trainer massaging Andy's thigh. The video just froze with the guy's hand inside the bottom of Andy's shorts. It was all harmless, but left Andy paler than Nicole Kidman. He was sweating on air like Albert Brooks in Broadcast News or Patrick Ewing at the free throw line...

Did you read Gregg Doyel's column at CBSsportsline.com? Brace yourself Hawkeye fans:

Todd Lickliter, Iowa: I'm stifling a yawn, but don't look at me like that -- competing Big Ten coaches are even ruder. They're stifling laughter. Lickliter was perfect at Butler. I mean, perfect. He was an alumnus, he was liked, and he was as dynamic as he needed to be to recruit in the Horizon League. At Iowa? Wrong guy, wrong place, wrong time. The Hawkeyes need a charisma infusion to restock a program that had slipped under Alford. Lickliter, who has never worked for a bigger league than the Horizon, doesn't have it.

It's one guy's opinion, and I disagree. I think Lickliter is the right man at the right time. Just don't expect much this season. His cupboard's as bare as the one McDermott opened at ISU...

Rick Majerus accepts the head coaching job at St. Louis?! Wonder when he'll back out of that. I'll never forget calling him about rumors he'd succeed Johnny Orr at ISU. Majerus said he'd almost do it just to eat that Bar-B-Que at Hickory Park...

I finally started watching Seinfeld on DVD. That show is actually funnier than I remember, and I thought it was darn funny. It's interesting to see on DVD because it reminds you that a minute or two is chopped out of episodes in syndication. I don't know what got into Kramer on stage, but man is he a riot on this show...

Can't knock Dr. McDreamy. Patrick Dempsey seemed like a nice guy at the Iowa Speedway and found time for his fans. All of them female. I hate that a guy in his forties has hair like that. (note: Bachman's in his fifties)...

Local blues band, Matt Woods & the Thunderbolts, will appear live on SoundOFF. These guys can really play. Go to www.mattwoodsmusic.com to listen...

Am I the only parent whose life is turned over to Little League baseball this month? I know I'm not alone. I have two sons who play at Raccoon Valley in Des Moines. It's a terrific league, even with the world's dustiest gravel road making a car wash pointless for three months. With winter weather for most of April, games got so backed up, we might as well pitch a tent at the fields on weekends, and plan all dinner breaks for the concession stand on weekdays. At least the food is good. Much better than Wells Fargo Arena, and much cheaper...

Speaking of the Well, big props to the Stars. The organization keeps learning about the market and improving its product. I had a great time on my most recent visit. Good luck to the Stars and Bucs in the playoffs. Both play Omaha...

A big deal was made of the fact new Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie drinks Pepsi for breakfast. Is it really that out of the ordinary? I ask because I've been drinking diet Pepsi with my Wheaties for 20 years...

I spent half an hour visiting with new Hawkeye coach Todd Lickliter last week, and I really like him. I think he's genuine, sincere, and excited. I'll be stunned if it's not a good fit for both Lickliter and Iowa. The guy can coach too. Look at NCAA Tournament wins for the following coaches the past six years (Lickliter's reign at Butler):

Lickliter: 4 wins
McDermott: 0
Tom Davis: 0 (4 years at Drake)
Steve Alford: 0 (only win at Iowa was 2001)

Look for McDermott to pick up his first win soon, but you get the point. One Butler team in the Sweet 16 could be a fluke---remember Alford took an SMS team that far---but two trips means a guy can coach...

Big reception for Lickliter at the always raucous Polk County I-Club Spring Banquet, but credit Hawkeye Nation, the fans saved their biggest ovation, by far, for Kirk Ferentz. Six bowl games in six years should trump promise and potential every time...

What is Greg McDermott going to do about Mike Taylor? Taylor is already suspended after being accused of vandalism, and now Ames police believe Taylor shoplifted a box of cold medicine (cold medicine? Doesn't exactly make him Jesse James). Taylor also missed games because of academic problems, and his troubles predate his arrival at ISU. The guess here is multiple game suspension. A talented athlete in trouble can wreak havoc on a coach's conscience. Remember Berryman? Does anyone honestly think McCarney would have given Berryman a third chance if he weren't a game-changer? Of course not. These coaches are under tremendous pressure to win, and they're protecting million dollar salaries. However, Taylor is no Berryman, I suspect McDermott is no McCarney, and cold medicine theft is most certainly not assaulting a fellow student. (give us your take on Taylor's punishment on the whotv.com Web poll, or leave comments here). By the way, Taylor led the Cyclones in steals...


President Bush was at his comforting best at Virginia Tech Tuesday. I still can't fathom what happened on that campus. It's a chilling reality: our kids aren't even safe at school. Not if someone has enough hatred...

I like John Edwards. I like many of his ideas. But $400 for a haircut?! I can't get my mind around that, not from a guy who talks about wasteful spending. True, a guy with hair like mine is no doubt jealous of a guy with hair like his, but I always feel like $15 is enough for a cut at the famous Roosevelt Barber. If those guys weren't so nice, I'd look for a cheaper place. Well, that is until I heard about Edwards. $400!?...

I took my mother and son, Colin, to an I-Cubs matinee Monday. It was absolutely perfect. The I-Cubs do it right. Everybody who works there is helpful and friendly, especially Cubbie Bear. The ballpark itself looks fantastic. It just keeps getting better. The green seats, beer garden in right, and old fashioned scoreboards really took it up a notch last year. The fountains this year are okay too, if you're into fountains, which I guess I'm not...

At the game, I ran into KGGO's Heather Burnside. She had a funny story about how one of her friends thought the PA guy was racial profiling with his choices of songs as each Cub batter approached the box. (The players choose their own music.) Also saw KXNO's Cotman. He was just back from Arizona, so it was easy to spot the only guy with a tan. (Cotman's partner, Geoff Conn, does a fine job as the I-Cubs announcer.) My favorite part of the day---next to Colin hugging Cubbie for the 43rd time---was when the crowd started chanting "What's Bugging Andy?". They even put it on the scoreboard. Andy looked ready to crawl under a rock...

Good to see Felix Pie at Wrigley Field. Played like he didn't want to come back to Des Moines. Timing couldn't have been better, or worse, depending how you look at it. He flew to Chicago on Felix Pie jersey giveaway night at Principal Park. The I-Cubs still gave away the shirts, and catcher Geovany Soto had the best quote: "I hope they give my jersey away next, so I can get the hell out of here". Nothing against Des Moines, but they all want to be in The Show...

I loved the new director's cut of The Natural. It's a better movie with improved pacing, backstory, and context. However, it's still jarring to see something you know by heart tinkered with. Andy says he's sticking with the original. I'll now play the new version...

I was supposed to go see the Full Monty at the Des Moines Playhouse Saturday night, but couldn't make it when the babysitter fell through (she didn't actually fall through anything, she just couldn't come). My mom went and offers the following review: "Very funny. I laughed a lot, even though I was by myself because my son dropped out at the last minute. The first half is funnier than the second, and it was a tad long, but I recommend it, even for grandmothers like me. I was a little nervous I'd see things I didn't want to see, especially on some of these guys, but the lighting keeps you from having to go to confession. I love the Playhouse, and liked the Full Monty." Thanks mom...

Also took Colin to Firehouse Dog. I'd review it but I think it will be out of theaters by the time you read this. Okay, here goes anyway: heart warming fun, too long, and a little intense for young kids. B-

The Drake Relays begins next week, or as local sportscasters like to call it, "Our annual Peggy's summit meeting with the Relays Godfather, JohnWalters"...

If you're reading this before Thursday night, please try to go see Bob Costas for free at Drake's Knapp Center (7:30 p.m.). Costas is a dynamic speaker whose intelligence and insight blow me away. He's the gold standard...

Who's #1?

Zach Johnson's inspiring Masters win sparked debate on SoundOFF and elsewhere. Is it the greatest single sports feat by a native Iowan? (note: Cael Sanderson's is definitely one of us now, but his 159-0 record at Iowa State doesn't qualify for this discussion because Cael's originally from Utah.)

My buddy Ryan sent his list. Let me (and Ryan) know what you think on the feedback tab, and don't forget to vote for your #1 on the whotv.com Web poll.

Ryan's list (in bold italics)

1. Dan Gable wins gold and doesn’t give up a point in the 1972 Olympics
2. Jack Fleck beats Ben Hogan in 18 hole playoff to win 1955 U.S. Open
3. Zach Johnson wins 2007 Masters
4. Kurt Warner wins 1999 Super Bowl MVP
5. Nile Kinnick wins 1939 Heisman Trophy
6. Bob Feller throws a no-hitter against the Yankees in New York in 1946

Here’s why:

Gable – no one else has ever done it. Ever. The 1972 Olympics is remembered for terrorism, and so many Iowans and people with Iowa connections have achieved greatness in wrestling so accomplishments in the sport sometimes get grouped together. But no one did this before and no one has done it since.

Fleck – he went head-to-head with the best golfer of that era in an 18 hole playoff and won. At the time, Hogan had won three of the last five U.S. Opens. In 1953, just two years earlier, he won the Masters, U.S. Open and the British Open.

Johnson – it’s the Masters and it’s an individual sport which gives him the nod over Warner, Kinnick and Feller.

Warner – Super Bowl MVP and championship culminate NFL MVP season.

Kinnick – once again, what keeps Iowa football from greatness (and what keeps Kinnick from being higher on the list) is a loss to Michigan.

Feller – he had the greatest career of anyone on this list, other than Gable, but there have been numerous other no-hitters. Feller himself threw three of them.

I agree with what's on Ryan's list, though I would change some of the order. I also think Feller's no-hitter on opening day in 1940 is even more impressive than the one at Yankee Stadium. Why? Because it was OPENING DAY!

Here's my list:

1. Gable wins gold in '72. He didn't give up a point! There's nothing to compare it to. It's unthinkable and unbelievable.

2. Zach Johnson wins 2007 Masters. I give him the edge over Fleck because golf has now gone international. In '55 it was still primarily a game for white men from the U.S. Plus, great as Hogan was, no golfer has ever intimidated like the sports star of our generation, Tiger Woods.

3. Jack Fleck stares down the legend, Ben Hogan, and beats him in a U.S. Open playoff. Fleck couldn't just concentrate on his scorecard the way Zach did, he had to watch Hogan too.

4. Bob Feller throws a no-hitter on opening day. It's a team sport, but this is about as individual as it gets. Think what kind of coverage this would receive in today's world. In fairness to my previous mention of golf being a white man's game in '55, the same can be said of Major League Baseball in '40. (note: if you haven't visited the Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter, it's a must for any sports fan. Visit bobfellermuseum.org for more info.)

5. Kurt Warner wins Super Bowl MVP. It's the biggest stage in sports now, but again, it's a team game.

6. Nile Kinnick wins the Heisman Trophy. Individual award, but takes a team to win, and it's not really a single sports feat; it's a collection of games. Extra points for one of the greatest speeches a sportsman ever gave.

Who's on your list?

Scattershots: Lickliter, Wild Thing, The Natural...

Not sure if you've heard, Iowa hired Todd Lickliter as its new basketball coach. It was interesting to watch Hawkeye fans go through the 5 stages:

Denial .: "I've never even heard of him!"
Anger .: "How can Iowa hire someone from the freaking Horizon League?"
Bargaining .: "At least tell me Barta tried to land Majerus."
Depression .: "I thought we'd hire a big name."
Acceptance .: "Lickliter is a great hire and a perfect fit! The pride is back for Hawkeye hoops!"

I didn't know much about Todd Lickliter, but before he even showed up on the Iowa campus, I had done enough research to think Gary Barta made a good choice. I was even more convinced after watching Lickliter at his welcoming party. He's paid his dues; He's humble; He's good with fans; He's thrilled to be at Iowa; He realizes a strong football program is good for basketball; and he's the kind of coach who can take a team to the Sweet 16 without blue chip recruits. Lickliter teams play great defense, don't turn the ball over, and shoot threes. Expect solid fundamentals from the jump. He'll have to step up his recruiting efforts, but if you can win four NCAA tournament games at Butler, Iowa should be no problem.

I think Barta got the right guy, but we won't know for sure until 2010. I'm the guy who said hiring Steve Alford was a great move. Remember all those fans who were despondent over the hiring of Kirk Ferentz instead of Bob Stoops? Worked out pretty well.

Alford was a bad fit at Iowa for many reasons, but don't think for a moment fans wouldn't have found a way to embrace his arrogance, entitlement, and aloofness if he took Iowa to a Final Four. If a guy wins enough, all is forgiven. Sad commentary, but true.

Alford wasn't a great coach, but he was no idiot either. Everyone is piling on now---especially as Alford burned bridges on his way out---but let's stop blaming him for global warming, Norbit, and Izzie on Grey's Anatomy...

How 'bout Dana Altman doing a reversal on Arkansas. He made the right decision. Did you see the video we showed of Altman at the "welcome rally"? First of all, he received about as much applause as Rosie O'Donnell at a Republican rally. Then, they forced Altman to do that ooooh pig sooooiiieee chant, and he looked about as comfortable as Nicole Richie at Krispy Kream. He'll retire at Creighton now. Maybe he'll finally realize he's got a great thing going, and stop listening to inquiries (and believe me, he's done a lot of listening)...

Am I the only one watching the "Black Donnelly's"? Based on the ratings, I'd say yes. Not a lot of redeeming characters on that show. Works better for the Sopranos... (editor: NBC just cancelled The Black Donnelly's. Sorry, Keith. You must have been the only one.)

Saw "Blades of Glory" on opening night. It's ridiculous, juvenile, and stupid... I loved it. I loved it for one reason: Will Ferrell. When he's saying something, the movie is hilarious. The rest of the time, it's mostly laugh free. Jon Heder looks more and more like he careered out in Napoleon Dynamite. He's just not funny here, and no match for Ferrell. The grade is B, if you check your brain at the door. C,if you're like Andy Fales, and you think movies like this are "stupid"(e.g. Talladega Nights, Dodge Ball, Zoolander, Kicking and Screaming, etc)....

Some of Iowa's most entertaining sports writing happens at http://www.wesleyvaclav.blogspot.com/
Former Des Moines Register reporter Ron Maly doesn't have to answer to an editor. In this case, that's a good thing...

Went to another Iowa Stars game. Kudos to the franchise for improving the atmosphere immensely. Big crowd too. I was impressed by the entertainment on and off the ice. My friend, Scott Kasber, does a great job hosting...

I hate the DirecTV ads with Charlie Sheen cut and pasted on his Ricky Vaughn character. "Major League" is no cinema classic, but I hate seeing Wild Thing turned into a prostitute. It's kind of creepy too...

I just ordered "The Natural" director's cut. I can't wait to see this. Early buzz is that the additional 10 minutes improves many scenes and fleshes out several character details. They also tweaked the music and editing to improve what is a classic. "God I love baseball"... (editor: to vote for the best baseball movie among Keith's favorites, go back to the sports page at whotv.com)

Keith Richards did a lot of drugs, but that's not the only thing to go up his nose. He claims he snorted part of his father's ashes?! That's one of the most disturbing things I've ever read. Hopefully, he was kidding...

Can't wait for the I-Cubs home opener April 13th. Principal Park/Sec Taylor Field just keeps getting better. They add fountains this season...

Did "Happy Feet" really win the Oscar for best animated picture? Didn't the Academy members watch "Cars"? It's no contest...

A viewer just e-mailed me this link: http://www.firelickliter.com/ It takes you to some Cyclone Web site. Clever...

I'm going to two Cubs games in Milwaukee with my buddies this weekend. It's going to be so cold I may not mind if they close the Miller Park roof, which makes me a hypocrite. I hate indoor baseball, unless I'm uncomfortable...