Murphy's Law

Rob Lowe killed our state bird with an approach shot on 4? I forgive him. This guy was in "About Last Night", "Tommy Boy" and "The West Wing"...


As soon as Lowe hit that goldfinch at the Principal Charity Classic, a few viewers made sure we knew there's nothing funny about a bird dying. I'll bet at least one then had grilled chicken for dinner with no sense of irony. Lowe didn't intend to hit a bird. As Iowa AD Gary Barta said, chances of hole-in-one are better than striking down a flying goldfinch...


Nice job out of the Principal Charity Classic people. We'll never have the energy and interest of the U.S. Senior Open, but this year's event is a big step up from the Allianz...


As usual, good reporting by the Des Moines Register's Tom Witosky. The man knows how to work the Freedom of Information Act and piles of documents. I found the story on Iowa preparing two offers interesting, but I don't see it as a big deal. Since when did having a plan B become a bad idea? I would guess that Kevin Stallings was the first choice, and it makes sense he'd receive more money since he was making more money than Todd Lickliter, but for whatever reason, Stallings is not the Iowa coach, Lickliter is, and it seems like a good fit...


There is no excuse for the Cubs being this bad. It's gone from disappointing to embarrassing. The division is so weak, I'm still not convinced it's over. Life support, but still breathing...


If you enjoy an R rated movie that's crude, rude, and hilarious, don't miss "Knocked Up". It's from the director of the "40 Year Old Virgin", but I liked Knocked Up even more. It works as a date movie, as long as you're not dating someone who minds dialogue like, "Steely Dan gargles my b----..." Never mind. Not appropriate here. I laughed a lot, and found it surprisingly touching. A for Knocked Up...


Also good, "Waitress". Went to this one as a show of love for my movie loving mother, but I actually enjoyed it. Keri Russell can act. Who knew? Coincidentally, the story here also revolves around unwanted pregnancy, and while this wouldn't seem like a starting point for comedy, it launches two good movies. B for Waitress. Be sure to eat before you go, or you'll want to leave and buy pie...


The Iowa - Iowa State football game is on the VERSUS channel. Are you kidding me? This is the Big 12's improved television package. Let's think about this for a minute; we have a game fans most fans can't attend unless they buy ISU season tickets, and now it's on a channel most of us have never watched and don't know how to find. Not good. (editor's note: channel 55 on Mediacom)...

Did you watch the Ducks win the Stanley Cup on NBC? We're trying to find the one viewer...

No sport improves more in high definition than hockey. It's the only way to fully appreciate how great the game is in person...

KGGO's Heather Burnside filled in as guest host on SoundOFF this past Sunday. I thought she did a terrific job. That was a hard show to do after Andy's finale. Jon Miller and Shawn Terrell are in this week. They're veterans who always do well...

"The Best of What's Bugging Andy" DVDs are done. You can order one on the sports page here at whotv.com...

Hawkeye running back Shonn Greene is off the Iowa football team. No explanation from Kirk Ferentz, but we're told academics is the reason...

Standing ovation for the Des Moines' Playhouse's "Lost Highway". Actually one standing ovation is not enough for the way this play is going over with audiences. The Hank Williams musical brings the crowd to its feet at least twice on most nights. John Bachman was recently spotted roaring his approval...

I watched "America's Got Talent" and enjoyed it. I know, I know, my IQ may have dropped, but it's entertaining in a modern day Gong Show kind of way. Piers is brutal, Sharon Osbourne counters with sweetness, and is a threat to have more plastic surgery during a commercial break, and what can you say about David Hasselhoff? Don't hassle The Hoff...

That reminds me, a big welcome to Chris Hassel. He's the new guy in our sports department and we're excited he's here. Chris comes to channel 13 from the Fox affiliate in the Quad Cities. Many Hawkeye fans will recognize his name. Chris is the guy who won the statewide contest to do play-by-play for an Iowa football game a couple of years ago. He's multi-talented and has already won more awards than Norah Jones. Chris started work today and should be on the air as soon as he learns the 37 passwords he needs to sign on the various computers here...

Any idea where Steve Deace stands on this ISU chaplain debate?...

I'm still not sure urging fans to repeatedly vote for a contest clearly designed to increase Web traffic is anything to brag about, but ISU seems genuinely excited about winning an online poll "national championship" for best mascot. It shows dedication and loyalty---those are good things---but I have a hard time imagining Texas or Michigan fans caring much about who wins. I'd like to hear from some real Cyclone fans out there. What do you think? Great, indifferent, or embarrassed it's being called a "national championship"?...

The Hy-Vee Triathlon will grow into a big deal for Des Moines...