NAMATHON: A JOE NAMATH MARATHON FOR SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

Joe Namath started life as a Pennsylvania boy. Later in life he became the quarterback for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide under iconic football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. After college he was signed by the New York Jets for what was then the highest-ever contract for a quarterback.

Before long, he earned a place in NFL history by leading the underdog Jets to a victory over the (then) Baltimore Colts in Superbowl III. Though the rest of his football career was – let’s be honest – less than impressive, Joe’s charisma and appeal to the ladies carried him into a minor career as a piece of kitsch-casting in movies and on television. 

NORWOOD (1970) – The stunning sequel to True Grit. Okay, I’m kidding! I couldn’t resist since Norwood came out a year after True Grit, was based on another novel by the author of True Grit and starred Glen Campbell and Kim Darby, also from True Grit. Marguerite Roberts wrote the screenplay for both flicks, too. 

Glen stars as one of the few Vietnam War veterans not depicted by Hollywood as PTSD-riddled. As Norwood Pratt, the returning vet winds up in a job transporting cars from Texas to New York City but soon learns he’s driving stolen merchandise.

Joe William Namath plays Joe William Reese, a friend of Norwood who sees him become a singing sensation. Also in the strange circle of friends are dwarf actor Billy Curtis and runaway bride Rita (Darby).

A scene in which Namath tosses a football back and forth with Billy Curtis deserves to stand alongside the football-tossing scenes in The Room. Plus there’s Dom Deluise, Carol Lynley, David Huddleston and Joann, the intelligent chicken.      Continue reading

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BALLADEER’S BLOG: COLLEGE BASKETBALL – FEBRUARY EIGHTH EDITION

NJCAA DIVISION TWO

CENTURY CLUB – Teams scoring 100 or more points in Regulation: The DAVIDSON-DAVIE COLLEGE STORM defeated the visiting CLEVELAND COLLEGE YETIS by a score of 104-80   ###   Meanwhile, the TERRA STATE TITANS triumphed 108-80 over the OWENS COLLEGE EXPRESS   ###   And the MARION MILITARY INSTITUTE TIGERS downed the ENTERPRISE STATE BOLL WEEVILS 108-86.

SEVEN HUNDRED WINS – Coach Brian Peabody of the PIMA COLLEGE AZTECS notched his 700th win in style at the SCOTTSDALE COLLEGE FIGHTING ARTICHOKES (yes, really). At Halftime the Aztecs were clinging to a mere 39-37 edge. From there Pima College left the Fighting Artichokes further and further behind in a 95-71 victory led by Cohenj Gonzales’ 17 points. Continue reading

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MEXICO’S SUPERHEROES

This weekend’s light-hearted, escapist superhero post from Balladeer’s Blog looks at some of Mexico’s homemade superheroes (non-wrestling division). 

RELAMPAGO (Lightning)

Secret Identity: Rod Harrelson 

Debuted: 1964

Origin: When Rod Harrelson was killed he was figuratively brought back to life by Professor Hacket with his mind inhabiting an android version of himself. He adopted the costumed identity Relampago. 

Powers: This hero could fly, shoot electrical blasts from his hands and deliver electric-powered punches.

LLANERA VENGADORA (Plains Avenger)

Secret Identity: Flor Silvestre

Debuted: 1950

Origin: Singer and actress Flor Silvestre adopted the costumed identity of la Llanera Vengadora to fight crime and supernatural menaces without endangering her family and friends.

Powers: This heroine was in peak physical condition, was a skilled fighter and had mastered pistols, whips and lariats. In addition, la Llanera Vengadora could stunt-drive her 1950s motorcycle. Continue reading

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FEBRUARY SEVENTH ROUNDUP OF NEWS, MEMES AND POLITICAL CARTOONS

It’s time for another current events roundup from Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog.

THE SCANDAL OVER THE WAY DEMOCRATS USED USAID TO COVERTLY FINANCE DEMOCRAT MEDIA OUTLETS, TARGET DEMOCRAT ENEMIES AND PUSH GROTESQUE SIDE PROJECTS CONTINUES TO GROW. More HERE. And HERE. This will join the Teapot Dome Scandal, the Credit Mobilier Scandal and other monumental scandals in American history. Even more HERE. And HERE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SENATOR TUBERVILLE PURSUING LEGISLATION TO END THE TAXING OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. Another campaign promise is addressed.

TRUMP ONCE AGAIN IMPROVING THINGS FOR THE WORKING CLASS AND THE POOR, LIKE HE DID IN HIS FIRST TERM, TOO. He has been and still is the best president for the working class and the poor during my lifetime.

FEMALE ATHLETES PRAISE PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR KEEPING MEN OUT OF WOMEN’S SPORTS. Videos HERE. And HERE. And HERE.

DEMOCRAT OBSESSION WITH MUTILATING THE GENITALS OF CHILDREN CONTINUES. Democrats, can you please leave children alone?

TRUMP CLEANUP OF THE SEWER AT THE CIA IS IN THE SPIRIT OF JFK’s LONG-AGO PLAN TO CURB THAT AGENCY’S COUNTLESS ABUSES. Let’s hope President Trump keeps himself safe.

TREN DE ARAGUA GANG MEMBERS STILL BEING ARRESTED IN AURORA, CO. Remember when Democrats tried pretending that the gang wasn’t even in Colorado and that Trump was making it up?. Continue reading

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THE BELLE STARR STORY (1968) SPAGHETTI WESTERN

THE BELLE STARR STORY (1968) – (Original title Il Mio Corpo per un Poker) This movie was directed by Lina Wertmuller, making it the only Spaghetti Western directed by a woman. It has nothing to do with the real Belle Starr, but for name recognition you can’t beat that title!

In any event, our heroine Belle (Elsa Martinelli) faces the ugly issues a lot of women faced in the old west regarding predatory men but rises above it all to become a sharp-shooting, butt kicking, hard drinking ball of fire. She blazes a trail across the west, becoming one of the greatest outlaws of her time.

Early in the film, Belle is in a high stakes poker game at a saloon. The other players fall one by one until it’s just her and the handsome, devil-may-care bandit Larry Blackie (Larry Blackie?). Continue reading

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REMINDER ABOUT KRIS STRAUB’S LOCAL 58: THE NEW EPISODES

Where does the time go? It was 2020 when Balladeer’s Blog first covered the ongoing masterpiece and trailblazer of Analog Horror – Local 58TV. My post yesterday about the very real Lucky 7 pirate channel from 1978 prompted me to check up on any new episodes of Kris Straub’s fictional Local 58TV.

There are FOUR new installments since 2020 – one from three years ago, one from two years ago and two from Halloween of 2024! As always, the months and sometimes years between episodes are the biggest weakness of this Straub storyline. It’s been purely on faith in his talent that so many of us are still interested after all this time. 

If you’re new to the whole Local 58TV Analog Horror series the YT Channel is HERE. You’ll get to enjoy all twelve episodes up to now without the long wait the rest of us had to endure.

My take on the four new installments:  Continue reading

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LUCKY SEVEN: SYRACUSE’S PIRATE TELEVISION STATION (1978)

LUCKY SEVEN (1978) – Years before the hacker calling himself Captain Midnight hijacked HBO airtime to protest their high prices and years before the weird Max Headroom parody hack in Chicago came this forgotten incident in the annals of pirate broadcasting.

As many people know, pirate radio stations were often able to operate for months or even years before getting shut down, but pirate television broadcasting was limited to random hacks of a few minutes tops. The exception was Lucky 7, a rogue outfit that operated on the (then) unused frequency for what would have been Channel Seven in Syracuse, New York.

The host for Lucky 7 was a memorable man wearing a gas mask on his face like he was some kind of late-night Horror Host. This figure would introduce the programs and movies being shown on the channel and would also editorialize about the way corporations and the government held a monopoly on the airwaves. 

Not content to merely hack into other television broadcasts for a few minutes the rebels at Lucky 7, who called themselves the Renegade Broadcasting Company, were seen on thousands of tv screens in Upstate New York for roughly eight hours per night. 8 or 10 PM to 4 or 6 AM are often claimed. Continue reading

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NEWS, MEMES AND POLITICAL CARTOONS ROUNDUP: FEB FIFTH

From Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog it’s another current events roundup.

FURTHER CONFIRMATION THAT FORMER CIA HEAD JOHN BRENNAN AND HIS ILK LIED ABOUT HUNTER BIDEN’S LAPTOP BEING RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION JUST TO PROVIDE JOE BIDEN WITH A “GOTCHA” MOMENT IN THAT 2020 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WITH TRUMP. Outright election interference to cover up the Biden Crime Family Scandals in the 2020 election. The thugs of the “intelligence community” are as disgusting as ever and need cleaning up. 

REMEMBER HOW DEMOCRAT SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER GLOATED IN JANUARY OF 2017 ABOUT HOW THE THREE-LETTER AGENCIES WOULD GET BACK AT TRUMP “SIX WAYS FROM SUNDAY” FOR DARING TO CALL OUT THEIR FAILURES LIKE JOHN F. KENNEDY DID. Back then I was one of the people pointing out how repulsive it was to have a senator grovelingly and complacently admit to imminent illegal revenge tactics from the scum of the CIA and others.

VIDEO: PRESIDENT TRUMP PRESENTS THE MOTHERS OF VICTIMS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT VIOLENCE RESPONDING TO SELENA GOMEZ. More HERE.

TRUMP MAKES DISASTROUS COMMITMENT TO CONTROLLING GAZA. In my opinion his proposal cannot work and should not even be attempted. It’s the kind of mistake he avoided in his first term.

BIDEN CRIME FAMILY: EVEN ZELENSKY ADMITS THAT NEARLY ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS IN UKRAINE AID IS MISSING. More HERE. As rational people could tell all along the funds seemed to be diverted for use as a slush fund for corrupt politicians in the U.S. and Ukraine (including Zelensky). Joe Biden’s Regime embodied everything wrong with America’s political establishment.

BIDEN REGIME EXPOSED FOR OBSTRUCTING INVESTIGATIONS INTO TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS LAST YEAR. At one time such information would dominate the headlines but in 2025 it gets lost in the flood of other Biden Regime Scandals.

TRUMP INSPIRES MEXICO TO FINALLY ARREST REGIONAL LEADER OF DRUG CARTEL. Remember, obviously such action could have been taken before now, but the political will was lacking. Continue reading

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ARKANSAS STATE AT NEWPORT: COOL NAMED SPORTS TEAM

If like me you’re often tired of so many college sports teams being called Eagles, Tigers, Bulldogs and Wildcats here’s another example of something comparatively unique.

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY AT NEWPORT Continue reading

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WHEN CALIFORNIA WAS AN ISLAND (1510) ANCIENT SCIENCE FICTION(ISH)

LAS SERGAS DE ESPLANDIAN AKA The Adventures of Esplandian (1510) – There were many subsequent editions of this Spanish novel by Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo but 1510 is the year of the oldest known version. Part fantasy, part proto-science fiction and part chivalric romance saga, The Adventures of Esplandian is best remembered today for its supposed role in naming California. 

To begin with, Montalvo wrote this book as his own personal addition to the legends surrounding Amadis of Gaul. Esplandian, the son of Amadis, was also known as the Black Knight because of the color of his armor. After a series of adventures Esplandian and his forces conquered Constantinople, taking it from the Muslim armies. 

As the various Islamic city-states gather to besiege Constantinople many battles are fought, with Esplandian and his Christian forces managing to hold the city. The conflict widens, with Christians and Muslims alike sending word all around the world for allies to help defend or seize Constantinople.

Many chapters go by devoted to tales of the cosmopolitan rulers and warriors who journey to join their faith’s side in the ongoing war. Chapter FIFTY finally deals with a Muslim explorer named Radiaro who reaches California, but it’s a California that’s far from what you would expect. Continue reading

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