the muppet question was rigged... pretty much coincided w/ my 5 years in india... in all fairness, you now need to pose the question of how hosted the indian muppet show during those years.
deion | 03.29.06 - 9:45 am | #

What was your previous take on the aforementioned "I Will Dare" lyrics (btw - i'm in the same camp as you). i've read that it's "beer and cigarettes are lousy dinner" - which makes sense - but i ain't hearin' it. i also have questions re "left of the dial". got a good link you recommend? best lyric in that song: "pretty girl keep growin' up, playin' make-up, wearin' guitar".
Finn | 03.29.06 - 10:22 am | #

http://www.lyred.com/ says:
"Fingernails and a cigarette's a lousy dinner"
isired | Homepage | 03.29.06 - 10:34 am | #

Re: baseball comments - agree but hate the pandering most announcers do to Bob Costas who in my opinion is a pompous know it all who thinks he is too good for the sports he is reporting. Would rather have the Bobby Murcers and Phil Rizzutos.

Don't forget that the proliference of TV gave fans visual access to a game so they could make their own opinions. Radio or sitting in the stands 200' away makes it difficult.
Lex | 03.29.06 - 10:39 am | #

ah good, the opportunity to debate obscure replacements lyrics. this is what I hoped for with today's post. that line in "I Will Dare" is a tough one, and I've made several friends listen to it with me like 68 times in a row trying to figure it out.

the most common take is:
ain't lost yet
so I gotta be a winner
bacon and cigarettes (or "a cigarette's") a lousy dinner

that's what I always thought it was. and it was one of my favorite lyrics. just the image of a desperate schmuck who's not taking care of himself. but then I read somewhere that it might be "fingernails, cigarettes -- a lousy dinner" and I can sort of hear that too. in fact, on several live versions he clearly says "fingernails" which is pretty convincing evidence to me that that's the lyric (unless he decided to mix it up in concert, maybe after realizing there was some confusion).

"fingernails, cigarettes" might be an even better lyric - especially because the song is about getting over your nerves and taking down your guard and just diving into a situation with another person.

either way, a great lyric that's open to interpretation. "Left of the Dial" is also a classic, and some of it is pretty unintelligible. Here's a good place to start...

http://theskyway.com/lyrics/tim.txt

Although I think it's "which side are you on" and not "it's sad to move on"...

Lex, your Rizzuto-Costas point is well-taken. I hereby amend my post to allow for the inclusion of folksy, mascot-style ex-players in the booth, just not being introduced as "experts."
hans | Homepage | 03.29.06 - 10:47 am | #

I come down firmly in the "bacon" camp. I mean as far as the Mats lyric goes. But I disagree that bacon and cigarettes make a lousy dinner. They make a fine damn dinner. And I worked at the Food Network so I should know.
cW | Homepage | 03.29.06 - 1:14 pm | #

i think people like to feel smarter than their sports announcers and that's why they keep the dummies around
pbdotc | 03.29.06 - 1:59 pm | #

not all people of course. there are many enlightened fans who delight in having a sentient being call the game.
pbdotc | 03.29.06 - 2:01 pm | #

lol

must be nearing opening day: prior and wood just went on the DL.
pbdotc | 03.29.06 - 2:05 pm | #

that's brutal for cubs fans - to have 2 young guys that you know can all but guarantee you're in the hunt come august, but you can't keep them on the field. they don't have the same dr. as chad pennington, do they?
isired | 03.29.06 - 8:19 pm | #

I hear you about them long damn hours. I can actually feel my soul being sucked. That sounds dirty.
Joe | Homepage | 03.30.06 - 2:17 am | #