Picker, first of all, I've copied my posting from the previous blog for insertion at the end of this one...seemed more appropriate (note: it has also found its way into the NYTimes). The Sopranos was insulting...the first tip off for all of us should have been the much anticipated season two finale. After the season one finale wrapped things up so neatly with a satisfying confrontation between Tony and his mom, and also provided vicarious pleasure as Tony whacked most of Junior's mob... Season two wrapped up with twenty-two lost minutes (out of 54) showing Tony dreaming about talking fish who evidently were presciently telling him that Big Pussy was a snitch. And how about the season opener for the third year? Fantastic...Chase wasted half and hour showing the FBI secreting a lamp with a microphone into Tony's basement only to have Meadow take it with her to school at the season's end...the mic never played a role in the plot in any way - except to waste time as a substitute for plot substance. Anyway, here's the earlier post.....Just a quick word about the Sopranos final episode. We all owe a big vote of thanks to David Chase...not for conceiving of the Sopranos, but for ending it. Chase's mindless, plotless drivel has wasted the time of those of us who were hooked on the brief flash of plot creativity afforded us during the first season. Since then, the moronic plot machinations of this 'Sicilian General Hospital' has ridden along on the enormous talents of its actors, failing episode in and episode out, year in and year out, to come across with any palpable meaning; the time wasted during Chase's pedestrian 'dream sequences' and hour after hour of chillingly time-wasting sessions in Tony's psychiatrist's office boggle the mind. There can be no question that David Chase had a very good idea that he sold to HBO that first year. It consisted of a seductive blend of violence, humor, family crisis and conflict, and creative camera work. There can also be no question that beginning with season two, Chase never had any idea of where to go after season one and has been stringing the viewers along on his brainless version of the 1940's "cliffhangers" which consistently brought the viewers back week after week to find out how the hero was saved from the previous week's crisis point. But there was never any crisis looming after season one of the Sopranos...not really. Just the omni-present allure of that soap-operaesque melange of characters ambling about with no particular purpose in mind.

One more thing. Mr. P, you hit the nail on the head with the wide trip that Rags to Riches overcame. When Hank Goldberg said that the only difference was her 5 lbs allowance and Curlin's three race in a five week stretch, I wanted to slap him off the TV. I'd say MAYBE the weight and Curlin's recent races were a push. With the filly in the 4 path ALL THE WAY AROUND, this makes her a better horse on Saturday by much more than a neck.

Herb: Wound up in the NY Times? Quick. Take a shower.

...and btw, NPR has some TV expert on right now talking about the genius of David Chase and how anyone who didn't "love" the series in its entirety simply didn't "understand" what Chase was trying to do. Jeez...the emporer, Chase, hasn't been clad since season one.

Sorry picker...garbled in transmission. I didn't understand that question. What's 'health food place'?

Anybody else think Cleveland can win two or three at home?

The play-by-play TV guy, Breen, used to be with Imus and has in the meanwhile gone corporate. He sounds so pro-Cleveland, he could say one day: Oh no, San Antonio scores.

The next to worst ESPN showboat, (Neil Everett has the Worst Ever trophy retired) Stuart Scott, calls the Cleveland star player Bron-Bron. Seriously. Grown man to grown man.Except when Bron-Bron goes 1-for-20.

it almost made sense?

Too good