'Rich and Almost Famous' | Weekly Mixed Bag by Rich Miller

Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Written by Rich Miller, talent network news staff
Twitter @rmillertime24
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Welcome to the third helping of our new weekly column titled 'Rich and Almost Famous' by new staff writer Rich Miller. His column is a mixed bag of creative opinions on all that is entertainment and sports. You can follow Rich on Facebook and Twitter @RMillerTime24. 

It is Thanksgiving week once again, my all-time favorite week of the calendar year. Not just because of the great food and the family time, but this glorious week somehow seems to take on a bi-polar personality. Thanksgiving Day, of course, is all about friends and family, giving thanks for the great things in life. The other days of this week however:

First we have what is now known as White Wednesday, the biggest bar night of the year. Tonight, there is a good chance you will have the uncomfortable misfortune of sitting next to someone you may not have liked too much in high school, but fret not, do what I do and take advantage of the situation by buying them shots until they can do no more. Find solace in the ultimate revenge of making them sick on Thanksgiving. Yes, I'm awful, I know. If you find yourself sitting next to me tonight, you've been warned.

We then have the social experiment that is Black Friday. It is the only time when it is completely acceptable to shove down old women to get the last 55" LG LED HDTV for 30% off. Personally I would rather go to an occupy Wall Street or UC Davis protest, the people there are much more friendly.

On with life…

* Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore are the latest Hollywood divorce case. The 15-year age gap clearly played a role in this as the two obviously had very different interests. For example, she's interested in quiet family time and he's interested in having sex with other women.

* In other marriage "news," Kristin Cavallari, who is engaged again to Jay Cutler, is talking smack on the Kardashians for being attention whores. Hello pot, meet kettle:
http://gawker.com/5860527/kristin-cavallari-declares-war-on-the-kardashians?tag=kardashians

* The Super Committee could not solve our national debt crisis. Somewhere Rick Perry is sitting in a dark room thinking…Maybe, just maybe, we should call on Super---man.

* North Korea has opened its borders to tourism. The national slogan was changed to attract tourists and the lyrics are from the song Hotel California: You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

* Happy trails to Regis Philbin. Regis is calling it quits this week after almost a lifetime on Live. Live was the go-to show if I was ever awake early enough in college to watch it. He even made Katie Lee Gifford slightly tolerable at 9 a.m., which is not exactly someone you want to see when you first wake up. Just ask Frank Gifford.

* The greatest hockey player in the world returned to the league's already best team Monday, check out my article on what really makes Crosby the greatest at his position here:
Crosby's Return Not All About Offensive on talent network news.

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Crosby’s Return Not All About Offensive

Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Written by Rich Miller, talent network news staff
Twitter @rmillertime24
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From the moment #87 touched the ice Monday night all eyes were on him, even those of the Islanders.  That’s what makes Crosby such a difference maker; other teams have to account for him every shift.  This could not have been any more evident after his first goal.  Initially Crosby was deep in his own end helping behind his own net, but when Deryk Engelland cleared the defensive zone to Pascal Dupuis on the half-boards, Crosby hit speed burst.  The rest is history.

That type of speed from the center position is unusual, unheard of, and unbelievable. It makes defenders have to back up, which means they cannot join odd man rushes, which means less scoring chances for the opposing team.  It makes opposing centers focus on #87, instead of their wingers.  It makes everyone wearing black and gold jobs a little easier as well.  Crosby covers so much space on the ice defensively; it lets the Penguins defenseman have the ability to be more aggressive.  As a defenseman there is no greater solace than knowing your center will be there to help you.

Not only do the Penguin defensemen get a chance to expand on their abilities, but the wingers do as well.  Less time spent back checking as a winger means more time trying to find open areas on the ice in transition. If you find open space, Crosby will find you.  This is where wingers with great speed and skating ability, i.e. Pascal Dupuis, become immediate threats.  Dupuis is one of the few people on the ice that has enough speed to skate with Crosby. Dupuis by himself is an average player at best, but with Crosby opening up space for him and less defensive obligations, Dupuis becomes very dangerous.

Finally, the person who will benefit more than anyone else from Crosby’s return: Marc Andre Fleury.  Fleury faced 29 shots last night from a porous New York team, but not many were quality chances and he was more of spectator whenever Crosby was on the ice.  Already arguably the best net minder in the game, Fleury now has three exceptional two way players covering the center of the ice, with arguably the best overall defense directly in front of him as well.  Crosby’s return already has people talking about scoring races and Hart trophies, but the one award I would definitely be willing to bet on is a Vezina for Fleury.


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