The lineups are out for the new season of Dancing with the Stars. Laugh all you want but I am a fan of the show. There are some competitors that I find myself really rooting for. Plus the professional female dancers are smoking hot. However looking at this year’s list of contestants, you have your mix of washed up celebrities and athletes, who always seem to do well. But I noticed that Warren Sapp is a competitor this season. Out of ALL the athletes in all the sports out there, they find Warren Sapp??

Football players have done well in the past because not only can they dance (Jason Taylor, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith) but they’re also likeable. But likeable is not the first word that comes to my mind when I think of Sapp. I think dirty, loud, obnoxious, and just a shit head. Also the guys previously mentioned before you even saw them take a step, you had an idea they could probably dance. Sapp just seems like he has slow feet for dancing and a big belly doesn’t really help you stay light on your feet when you’re doing the quick step.

Maybe he’s trying to change his image. I can’t imagine why he and his agent signed him up for Dancing with the Stars. I can see him on Big Brother. That would be fun. Nonetheless, the season starts September 22nd. It will be fun to see his attempt at dancing. Maybe he’ll blow us all away. Um..yeah right. But I’m guessing he just might be the very first one to go.

Popularity: 69% [?]

I’m living in Taipei, Taiwan now. Been having a great time. Except that they did not broadcast the Super Bowl here in Februrary. I was pretty upset at the time. Missed arguably the best Super Bowl now. I’m over it now. The wound has closed. Got so excited by the start of the Beijing Olympics. I’m in the same time zone so I should be able to watch events live I thought. But now a new wound has opened up.

Days into the 2008 Beijing Olympics, I have watched a total of five minutes of it. Why? Because the TV station here in Taipei has decided to broadcast the most random and lamest events. For example…

Other events I’ve seen on TV. Taekwondo. Handball. Volleyball. Synchronized diving. Replays of the opening ceremonies. Utterly disappointing.

So I’ve tried to go online to find it. NBC has such control over Olympic coverage that highlights are not on Youtube. On their website, I was excited to see that I could watch highlights. But then quickly found out, it’s restricted to US viewers only. So even more frustration.

I’m doing all I can to try and find a way to watch the Games. Big events are still to come. Track and Field. More swimming. Men’s basketball. And I’m trying like crazy to find a way to watch them. So be glad if you’re able to watch the Olympics live or even on tape delay wherever you are. Because in Taipei, Taiwan, I get archery.

Popularity: 87% [?]

This will either bring back good memories or make you feel really old. It’s a retrospective of Madden from the last 20 years. That makes me feel old cause I remember playing Madden 92 (above). It’s a cool progression to see how far the graphics have come. Also mentions the big new features from that year. Surely 20 years from now there will still be Madden. I cannot imagine how much it will improve. But 20 years ago I never thought games would look like this now.

Popularity: 100% [?]

Brett Favre wearing anything but a big G on his helmet? Not play in below zero temperatures? Yes, it’s going to be strange for fans and players of the NFL to see that. It’s official. Brett Favre is going from the small town to the big city. I’ll be honest and say I did not follow what was transpiring detail by detail. I was just thinking about how crazy the whole situation was. But once it was clear, he was allowed to come back to the NFL, next was wondering what city?

Green Bay stood firm and told him thanks but no thanks. They’ve gotta be pissed he wanted to retire but then changed his mind. Cause they had to move on. Like a bad breakup. But when the ex wants to get back, it’s hard cause they’ve already found a new love. They have a capable (really?) quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. There was pressure stepping in after 253 consecutive starts by Favre, and replace a legend. But now, the pressure is a hundred times because if he has a shitty start to the season, Packers fans will all wish they have Favre back. The GM will be hated. So will the coach.

The contract is for a fourth round pick but it can go all the way up to a first round pick if the Jets make it to the Super Bowl and Favre is still the man. I’m sure the Jets won’t be too upset with that deal. However my favorite part of the contract is how desperate Green Bay wanted to make sure he doesn’t go to Minnesota. Green Bay inserted a “poison pill” in the contract. (I have no idea who came up with such silly terminology). If Favre were to be traded to Minnesota, New York would have to surrender three first-round picks to Green Bay. That’s hilarious.

Popularity: 92% [?]

I find it very hard to believe that Lebron James would seriously consider playing overseas basketball in Europe. Even if they offered a staggering $50 million per year to play. Even $75 million. $100 million? He’d be stupid to not take that for a year or two. But if it was only $50 million, he said he would play for only a couple seasons. That makes it even more sound like it’s for the money. He wants to be a global icon but by being in the NBA, he’s already that. There’s absolutely no need to go to Europe to spread his name around. Really, how much money can one have? Give me some of that if it’s over flowing out of your closet.

Now if he’s at the end of his career and wants to go there, that’s fine. But do not compare it to David Beckham coming over from Europe to play in Los Angeles, the center of the world when it comes to fashion and celebrities. He was big worldwide already, and now he wants to be big in the United States. And he can do that in Los Angeles. Where would Lebron go? Greece? Russia? Playing in America already makes many athletes global icons.

So is the trend now, top European prospects want to come to the NBA to play in the best league in the world, while mid-range NBA stars go to Europe to play for the money? I think so.

Popularity: 92% [?]