Putting Money Where Their Mouths Are

Who was hip-hop's top earner in the past year? No surprises here.

From MSN.com:

Four years ago Jay-Z issued a lyrical taunt to his fellow rappers: "What you call money, I pay more in taxes." Turns out his line was more than just a boast.

Jay-Z pulled in $63 million over the past 12 months, earning him his second-straight hip-hop cash crown. His income level places him in the 35 percent tax bracket, which means he'll pay Uncle Sam about $22 million this year -- a sum greater than the total earnings of any other rap star besides second-ranked Diddy.

Given today's financial landscape, as well as the woes of the record industry, it's worth noting that just about everyone in Forbes' top 20 has another hustle besides rap. And in most cases, the performer saw a significant portion of his earnings come from his other business ventures.

Papa Don't Play

Larry, let me know when you want to get that drink.

From MSN.com:

Laurence Fishburne has told his daughter she is no longer welcome in his life following her embarrassing step into the adult movie market.

Montana Fishburne recently moved out of the actor's Los Angeles home as she hatched plans to launch herself as a porn star, and did not speak to her famous father for several weeks after clips from her X-rated film debut hit the Internet.

The 19 year old finally contacted "The Matrix" star on Monday, and the pair endured a heated telephone conversation.

The teenager revealed to TMZ.com that her dad told her, "I'm not going to speak with you till you turn your life around ... You embarrassed me."

I really hope I never have a daughter. And not just because I'm friends with Dupa. Though that definitely wouldn't make things any better.

Feeling Stressed?

Forbes has released a list of America's most stressful cities. There seems to be a deep irony, though, in that three of the top ten (Miami, Tampa, and Vegas) are places where people typically go to unwind and get away from the daily grind.

01. Las Vegas, NV
02. Los Angeles, CA
03. Houston, TX
04. Tampa, FL
05. Riverside, CA
06. Miami, FL
07. Dallas, TX
08. New York, NY
09. Chicago, IL
10. Detroit, MI

I have to say, this list resonates with me on a personal level. Regardless of what Forbes may think, Pittsburgh's stress levels are fairly high, too. And, at different times, I have thought of moving to Tampa, Las Vegas, Miami, NYC, and my homeland of L.A. as a means of escaping to a brighter future. I guess no matter what seat you're in, you're always under the gun.

Coolest Flight Crew Ever

I might have to start flying Lufthansa. Of course, that means I'd have to start flying to places where Lufthansa operates, like Europe...

I might have to start flying to Europe.

Meth's Too Gangsta for 'Em

Sure, you might scare off a little reality/pop star like Tila Tequila by throwing cans and rocks at the stage like a collection of two year old jackasses. But you better bring some serious ruck if you want to get Method Man off the stage.

From CBS News:

According to TMZ, Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man also suffered an injury caused by the Gathering of Juggalos -- fans of the band -- when he was allegedly struck in the eye with a thrown beer can.

Method Man and pal Redman were performing Sunday night when all of a sudden what looked like a "full beer can" was thrown at Meth's face, resulting in a gash on the left side, says the celebrity website.

Redman then yelled expletives at the Juggalos, and told his buddy, "Your face is cut, go take care of that," reports TMZ.

However, reportedly Method Man did not scare as easily as the pint-sized Tila Tequila, and instead the bloodied rapper yelled out, "Start the music we're continuing the show, let's f*** these motherf***ers up."

A "hell yeah" to Meth on reaffirming his gangsta. But I hope these incidents lead to some serious charges being filed against these juggalo idiots.

Tail Report: Amanda Leatherman

This one's for my fellow rounders. I confess I've only just learned of Miss Leatherman, but any woman with legs like this who can hold her own from the cutoff position is instantly given a special place in my heart.


Via her Twitter feed:

"Best pic from my birthday."

It's Friday

Time to dumb out...

Sir Charles Challenges the "So-Called 'King'"

LeBron James is struggling to gain back face, but it's not working out so well.

After his disasterous "Decision" last month, Miami's newest transplant has faced a hurricane of criticism. In response, James recently issued a "warning" of sorts from his new Twitter account: "Don't think for one min that I haven't been taking mental notes of everyone taking shots at me this summer. And I mean everyone!"

While many people (including sportswriters like Bill Simmons and Jason Whitlock, and knuckleheads like TJ and this guy) chose snarky responses via the same 140 character venue, one NBA Legend used the radio airwaves to speak his mind on Bron-Bron's comments.

From The Huffington Post:

While being interviewed on ESPN Radio 103.3 FM in Dallas/Fort Worth on Wednesday night, Barkley snapped.

"I want him to make sure that he puts my name on that (list)," Barkley said, in reference to James' tweet. "I thought that his little one-hour special was a punk move," the analyst added, according to FanHouse.

Barkley continued, ranting about James's superstar teammates, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Barkley discussed the trio's welcome ceremony in the Miami, calling their dancing during the reception "a punk move," too.

Barkley is not backing down.

"He knows where I'll be," Barkley said, seeming to be referencing to LeBron James. "I don't run. I'm on TV every week, I'm easy to find."

That's what you call a good ol' dose of "Sit down and shut up when grown folks is talking, youngin!"

Brandon Marshall -- NBA Superstar?

With lockout looming in 2011, NFL players are making preparations for an uncertain future. For Brandon Marshall, the Miami Dolphins star wide receiver, that means asking his agent to look into a potential NBA contract.

From ESPN.com:

"My first team will be the Nuggets and my second team will be the Heat -- I'm serious," Marshall said.

Asked to clarify whether he will pursue a basketball career if there is no NFL season in 2011, Marshall said: "Not pursuing -- I'm going to be on an NBA team. Seriously."

Marshall said he was good enough to play shooting guard professionally.

I find the idea that Marshall would jeopardize his NFL career by playing basketball almost as laughable as the idea that he would actually make an NBA team. But the thought of him playing with that Devil's threeway known as Wade, LeBron, and Bosh is interesting, in a keyboard-playing-cat kind of way.

Throwback Thursday: "Ice Cream" -- Raekwon ft. Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna, & Method Man

Hall of Fame-level, CLASSIC track right here. All three emcees kill the beat, a merciless RZA production, and Meth rocks the hook and ad-libs to perfection.

Bringing Down the House

If you have ever wondered why two people who are planning a wedding tend to argue about the guest list, then this video should clear things up a bit. Everyone likes to have a good time, but when your crazy cousin who's been taking pole dancing "fitness" classes gets that 5th glass of wine in her, things can get dangerous.

This clip is probably old (though this is the first I've seen it), and I'm not sure whether or not it's fake, but it's definitely a "win" for comedy.

"Lies...all LIIIIEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!"

[I seem to be on a bit of an Austin Powers kick. Anyways...]

Well folks, so much for me finding true love. Yesterday's internet phenomenon, the whiteboard-employing, boss-owning "Jenny," is all one big hoax. The lie was perpetrated by the very website that broadcast her story, The Chive. Her real name is Elyse Porterfield, she's an actress in L.A., and I feel like my fairytale princess just turned into a pumpkin. Or something like that.

...Actually, Elyse, you're still really hot. Call me.

Tail Report: Camila and Mariana Davalos

"Twins, Basil. Twins!"



Camila

Mariana







Serge with the assist

Mickey D's Meltdown

Sometimes you just really want some McNuggets.

From The Huffington Post:

TOLEDO, Ohio — A security video from a McDonald's in Ohio shows a woman punching two restaurant employees and smashing a drive-thru window because she couldn't get Chicken McNuggets.

The tantrum caught on tape in Toledo earlier this year shows the customer reaching through the drive-thru window, slugging one worker and then another. She then grabs a bottle out of her car and tosses it through the glass window before speeding off.

It happened early on New Year's Day. Police say Melodi Dushane was angry that McNuggets weren't being served, because it was breakfast time.

Dushane says she was drunk at the time. She was sentenced to 60 days in jail last month and ordered to pay McDonald's for the broken window.

Another Dissatisfied Customer

More inspiration to quit your job: After yesterday's epic "take this flight attendant job and shove it" episode from Steven Slater, the blogosphere is ripe with other stories of disgruntled employees going out on their own terms. And after seeing just what kind of ownage "Jenny" is capable of, I think she may just be the perfect woman (call me, shortie).

From The Chive:

We received the following photos last night from a person who works with this girl. Her name is Jenny (not confirmed) - we're working our contact for Jenny's last name. Yesterday morning, Jenny quit her job with a (flash)bang by emailing these photos to the entire office, about 20 employees we're told. Awesome doesn't begin to describe this office heroine.

UPDATE: The Chive is a dick of a friend. "Jenny" is a hoax.

"Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, you're cool, and fuck you, I'm out!"

If you’re going out, go out with a bang.

Steven Slater, a Jet Blue airline attendant, followed that credo to the fullest today.

From MSNBC:

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police say Slater was working on a JetBlue Airways Corp. flight from Pittsburgh when he got into a heated argument with the passenger about baggage. They say as the plane was landing Slater used the public-address system to berate the passenger. They say he then activated the slide, slid down and went to his car.

The New York Daily News reported that he took over the intercom and called the passenger a 12-letter epithet beginning with m and then told everyone, "I've been in the business 28 years. I've had it. That's it."

Only a yinzer could irritate someone to the point where they snap in such an extreme fashion. Though I have to say, if you’ve been a flight attendant for 28 years…maybe it’s time for a career change, anyways? And why did it take police so long to catch this guy? He opened a plane's escape slide, slid down, probably took an employee shuttle to the lot where his car was, and then drove home, all of which must've taken a couple of hours at a minimum.

Nevertheless, Mr. Slater is now in the lead for "coolest quitting ever"—you know, aside from the jailtime and all.

UPDATE: ABC News has covered the story, and it's definitely worthy of a viewing (apparently Slater grabbed a couple of beers before taking off...fantastic).

ArseniOwned

Here's a clip that I somehow missed during the years of the Arsenio Hall Show: Arsenio goes off on several gay rights activists from the group "Queer Nation" when they stage an ambush protest during taping of his show. Instead of trying to ignore them or simply signal for security to remove them, he confronts them head-on and dismantles their arguments. This is great.

(Spotted on Aziz Ansari's blog, "Aziz is Bored".)

Best... Catch... Ever.

I'm sure most of you have seen this, but for the few that missed it last week, this catch in the Japanese league is simply ridiculous. Sure, some outfielders jump over the wall to make the catch but this guy jumped on top of the wall.

It's the Weekend

Time to get inappropriate...

If She Wins, We Win

I've never watched ABC's hit sitcom "Modern Family". But don't take that to mean I think poorly of it; sometimes it just takes a little nudge to get me to start watching something, no matter how many people tell me it's the best thing on TV (that goes for your shows too, fans of "Rescue Me," "Mad Men," and "Sons of Anarchy"). And this might just be the nudge I need:

From MSN.com's Wonderwall:

Network bosses at ABC responded to the success of "Modern Family" by running a "for your consideration" ad in industry publication Variety, declaring that if the show beats "Glee," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Nurse Jackie," "The Office" and "30 Rock" to the Outstanding Comedy Series prize, [Sofia] Vergara will "run naked down Sunset Blvd."

The cheeky ad did include a disclaimer, stating, "Cast member may change without notice."

But Vergara admits she's keen to sway members of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to vote for her series, by rising to the challenge and baring all on the busy L.A. street.

She says, "You know what, that's ridiculous. I cannot run; I have bad knees. I was planning to do that, you know the sport where they... speed walk. But that's what I'm going to do. I'm not going to run."

Whether or not this gets me to watch "Modern Family" this fall, one thing's for sure: I'll be watching to see if it wins that Emmy.