As a belated Christmas miracle, TV Guide is reporting that the critically reviled Jeff Dunham Show will not return for a second season on Comedy Central, even after its premiere broke ratings records. Although the show drew a stunning 5.3 million viewers when it debuted in October, that number dwindled with subsequent episodes, with only 1.3 million tuning in for the finale earlier this month. Don’t celebrate too much, though: The article says that Dunham’s “multi-platform deal” with the network remains, which will include stuff like a tour, stand-up special, and various crappy tchotchkes that will eat up landfill space in future.

The events unfold slowly, in exact detail, a perfect panorama of color and speed. By now, we know it frame-by-fame — the black car bending to the right, the climb up the banking, the inevitable impact and the out-of-control slide back down into the grass. But the collision itself, that actual clash of concrete and metal, happened blindingly fast — 80 milliseconds from 160 mph to zero, according to the final accident report. It seems ludicrous that an entire decade could turn on one incomprehensibly small unit of time. But not if that decade is the 2000s, and that fraction of a second is the one that took the life of Dale Earnhardt. So much about today’s NASCAR has been shaped by that terrible afternoon of Feb. 18, 2001, a dark day that was the epicenter of a larger safety crisis that wracked the sport for the better part of three years. Earnhardt’s fatal crash — preceded by those of Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin, and Tony Roper, and followed by devastating accidents involving Jeff Purvis, Steve Park and Jerry Nadeau — forced NASCAR to upgrade its safety standards, and did away with the antiquated notion that “implied risk” meant it was OK for drivers to die.
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2010 Lake Elsinore Storm Preview – FriarForecast.com a preview of what should be the 2010 roster for the Lake Elsinore Storm. It’s looks like it will be a fun team to watch with most of the guys coming from the Ft Wayne team that won the most games in minor league baseball. With mashers like Jaff Decker (5′ 10″ 220 lbs – .299/.442/.514)and Rancho Bernardo High alum Allan Dykstra (6′ 5″ 240lbs – .226/.397/375) – FriarForecast.com 2010 Storm Preview

Mira Mesa Bar Brawl – A bar brawl last night at the Tomkat in Mira Mesa led to 1 arrest and 3 injuries. It happened just before 2am so I’m guessing it was a few dudes who were fighting for the last cougar of the night. – SignOnSanDiego.com

Wanted: Husker Musicians - The University of Nebraska marching band canceled its trip to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl because of blizzards and poor road conditions in Nebraska. To make up for their absence, the school’s local alumni chapter is seeking Nebraska graduates with musical talent. The hope is to at least put together a motley crew that can play the Cornhuskers’ fight songs. – SignOnSanDiego.com

San Diego New Year’s Eve Event Calendar – So what’s going down in San Diego on New Year’s Eve? Follow the link for Swasted.com’s events calendar and leave a comment to add your own recommendation or to invite us to your party…
Continue reading 'Monday Links – 2010 Storm Preview, Mira Mesa Bar Brawl, Wanted: Husker Musicians, New Year’s Eve'»

Bengals’ WR Henry, 26, Dies From Injuries – Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry has died from injuries suffered in an accident on Wednesday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) Police announced Thursday morning. Henry suffered severe head injuries after falling out of the rear end of a truck Wednesday afternoon, and remained on life support before finally succumbing to his injuries at 6:36 a.m. ET. – Yahoo

Falcons WR Eric Weems Facing DUI Charge – Atlanta Falcons receiver and return specialist Eric Weems is facing a charge for driving under the influence last month near Atlanta. According to DeKalb County jail records, Weems was arrested on Nov. 16 and charged with DUI. He was booked and released on $1,100 bond on Nov. 17. – Yahoo

White Sox Acquire Juan Pierre From Dodgers – The White Sox acquired Pierre and $10.5 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday for two players to be named. – Yahoo

Angels Sign Hideki Matsui to 1-year, $6MM Deal – The Los Angeles Angels went from one aging designated hitter to another in finalizing a $6 million, one-year contract with World Series MVP Hideki Matsui(notes) that all but signaled the end of the Vladimir Guerrero(notes) era on Wednesday. – Yahoo

Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee Trade Finalized – Here’s how the biggest deal of the off-season and quite some time pans out…

Phillies Get – RHP Roy Halladay (from Toronto), *RHP Phillippe Aumont (from Seattle), *OF Tyson Gillies (from Seattle), *RHP Juan Ramirez (from Seattle), $6 million cash (from Toronto)

Mariners Get – LHP Cliff Lee (from Philadelphia)

Blue Jays Get – *C Travis d’Arnaud (from Philadelphia), *RHP Kyle Drabek (from Philadelphia), *1B/3B Brett Wallace (from Oakland)

A’s Get – *OF Michael Taylor (from Philadelphia via Toronto) – ESPN.com

I’m sure everyone is sick of the Adrian Gonzalez trade speculation but it seems like the Red Sox are preparing for life without Jason Bay and stock piling starting pitching…

Red Sox Sign John Lackey & Mike Cameron – According to AP sources, the Red Sox have reached agreements with free agents, John Lackey and Mike Cameron. The Lackey deal is rumored to be for 5 years at $17-$18MM/year and Cameron’s deal is said to be for 2 years at $7-$8MM/year. Lackey will join a starting rotation that already features Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Clay Buchholz. The Red Sox also traded for Twins starter Boof Bonser on the last day of the Winter Meetings and have former first-round pick Michael Bowden slated for his second season at Triple-A Pawtucket.

I’ve been taking the A-Gon rumors with grain of salt and have been expecting him to be on the Padres’ opening day roster but now I could really see something go down. I don’t want to see Adrian leave but if they’re not going to sign him long term then get the best package possible for him. It would be pretty cool for Adrian to finally get the national recognition he deserves and I’d much rather it be the Red Sox than the Yankees.

David Freese Faces DWI Charge – Cardinals’ third baseman, David Freese was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Freese was acquired in a trade with the San Diego Padres for Jim Edmunds. Oh yeah, Edmunds was on the Padres. – Yahoo!

**UPDATE – 12/16** – Police: Freese’s BAC Was 0.23 – Yikes! A police report states Freese’s blood alcohol level was 0.23 when he was arrested, nearly 3 times the legal limit in Missouri. The report released Tuesday says an officer saw Freese’s Acura swerve from lane to lane. The report says his eyes were bloodshot, his speech slurred and he was unsteady but cooperative. The report lists Freese as an “alcohol prior offender,” but didn’t elaborate. He has had no prior DWI arrests in Missouri. Damn…0.23, now that’s swasted!

Apparently you don’t need a valid driver’s license to drive race cars…

Allmendinger Placed On Probation Following DUI Arrest – NASCAR placed driver AJ Allmendinger on probation Thursday following his arrest early in the morning on a charge of drunken driving. He was placed on probation until the end of the year for actions detrimental to stock car racing.

“I honestly felt fine, but I obviously should have erred more on the side of caution, particularly given what I do for a living,” Allmendinger said. “It was a bad judgment call and I apologize for that.”

Allmendinger registered 0.08 on the breath test, the police report said. Under North Carolina law, that means his license will be automatically suspended for 30 days.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said the sanctioning body does not require a valid driver’s license to compete on the circuit. Under the probation, any type of further infraction, on the track or off it, could lead to a more severe punishment. – Yahoo

Are you allowed to drive race cars with a suspended license?

A.J. Allmendinger Arrested For Drunk Driving – Sprint Cup driver AJ Allmendinger was charged with drunken driving by Mooresville, N.C., police on Thursday morning.

The Richard Petty Motorsports driver, according to the police report, was driving a 2007 Lexus when he was pulled over at 1:27 a.m. He was released to others at the owner’s request. Police said he blew a .08 on a breathalyzer test.

He has a court date for Dec. 18.

“I made an error in judgment last night for which I take full responsibility,” Allmendinger said in a statement released by RPM. “I went out to dinner and I had a couple of drinks. I honestly felt fine but I obviously should have erred more on the side of caution particularly given what I do for a living.

“It was a bad judgment call and I apologize for that…To my fans, sponsors, team and NASCAR. If anything good can come of this then hopefully I can be an example of being more aware of drinking responsibly and if even if you feel fine, take a cab, call a friend…just don’t risk it. I will do my best to make it right and use this to learn myself and hopefully educate others.” – ESPN.com

His wife @drlynnechiro (Lynne Kushnirenko) hasn’t mentioned it on her Twitter feed yet…