Brian's Best 3 of the Week 7/26-8/1

1. TV
ROBOT CHICKEN
STAR WARS
Episode II

"Brian's Best 3 of the Week" is usually about current stuff but I had to let people know about something that a year later is still pretty damn funny. First I'll explain the tv show. Robot Chicken is a sketch comedy show, from actor Seth Green (Dr. Evil's son Scott) and some other guys that aren't Seth Green, that uses stop motion animation. They incorporate clamation, dolls, action figures, toys and other random stuff into the making of the show. You can catch Robot Chicken on the Cartoon Network's [Adult Swim]. The show focuses on mocking pop culture, referencing toys, films, television, and popular fads. One particular motif often involves the idea of fantastical characters being placed in a more realistic world or situation (such as Stretch Armstrong requiring a corn syrup transplant after losing his abilities due to aging, Optimus Prime performing a prostate cancer Public Service Announcement, and Godzilla having problems in the bedroom). The program even had a 30 minute episode dedicated to Star Wars featuring the voices of Star Wars notables George Lucas, Mark Hamill (from a previous episode), Billy Dee Williams, and Ahmed Best. The Star Wars episode was nominated for a 2008 Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour). That brings me to Star Wars Episode Dos (which aired in November of 2008). I thought the first Star Wars parody was balls out funny, but, Episode 2 was awesome. Here are some Youtube clips of Episode II. See for yourself, then buy the dvd, then start watching Robot Chicken.











2. Food
Godfather's Pizza
4840 S Broadway St
Wichita, KS 67216-3713
(316) 522-7111

There used to be four Godfather's Pizza locations in Wichita back in the day. Now there is only one, in south city, on 47th and Broadway and that's a shame. In my opinion Godfather's makes the best pizza I've ever had. Their Humble Pie, on original crust, with extra cheese and sauce would be my death row "last meal" hands down. I know Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Dominoes and even Little Caesars advertise more (does Godfather's even advertise at all?) and I know a city (more like a town) the size of Wichita can't can't possibly support every eating establishment ever opened (hello Emerson Biggins) but only one Godfather's? Out in B.F.E.? My car starts to run all jacked up every time I venture to the south side (probably from the sun reflecting off all the mobile homes) and doesn't start to execute efficiently until I hit Derby. So for me to sacrifice vehicular performance and take the pilgrimage to Thunderdome for pizza, well, it must be the tits. What really gets me about Godfather's only location is that the place isn't cheap. Other than putting a Scotch and Sirloin at 17th and Grove, having a pizza place that's so expensive in south city just doesn't make sense, and place was getting hammered when I journeyed there the other nite. I'm not being unrealistic when I say you could buy a nice Subaru Impreza (like a '98 or '99) for what it costs to get two large pizzas, bread sticks and a two liter of Coke. They must take food stamps or government vouchers or something I've never heard of, because there was a gang of people waiting for their carryout orders. Trust me, if you want a great pizza, with tons of toppings and employees that look like they were just released from Leavenworth, then run on over to the best pizza spot in town-Godfather's Pizza! Oh, yeah, if a bum stops you for a dollar on your way out, give him a little something before he stabs you with a rusty butter knife and takes your wallet. Thanks.

3. Athletes

Matt Holliday

OF St. louis Cardinals

First I'll start with Matt Holliday (.296 Ave, 11 HR, 56 RBI, .385 OBP, .486 SLG), the newest member of the St. Louis Cardinals, via trade from the Oakland Athletics. After being selected to the 2006 and '07 N.L. All-Star teams (he was also the N.L. MVP Runner-up in '07) and leading the improbable Colorado Rockies to the 2007 World Series, Holliday became a household name. After another All-Star nod in 2008, he was then promptly traded to the Athletics (an odd move for Oaktown) for the 2009 season before he could become an unrestricted free agent. Matt is now out of baseball purgatory (Oakland) and enjoying the heavenly skies in St. Louis. He will now bat behind Albert Pujols (yikes) and should get back to his Colorado numbers after having a sluggish first half in Oakland. Pujols was leading the N.L. in HR's, RBI's, Runs, Total Bases, Slugging%, Intentional Walks and third in Batting. Before Matt Holliday (double yikes). In his first game with St. Louis vs. the Phillies, Matty went 4 for 5 with one RBI. He killed the Phills after they walked Pujols late in the game and that's why he's there and that's why the Cardinals should be back in the World Series, unless...

Roy Halladay

SP Toront Blue Jays

...unless the Toront Blue Jays trade Roy Halladay (11-3, 2.62 ERA, 123 SO, 20 BB) to the Philadelphia Phillies. If Philly is willing to give up their two top young pitchers – major leaguer J.A. Happ and minor-league prospect Kyle Drabek – along with high-rated minor league outfielder Dominic Brown they can have this year's A.L. All-Star starter. So far the Phillies are unwilling to give up so much for the six-time All-Star and 2003 Cy Young Award winner (he finished second for the Cy Young in '08). Halladay has a no-trade clause in his contract, which is through the 2010 season and seems to only be interested in going to contenders like the Phillies, Dodgers and Angels (big shock) if he is to be traded. The trade deadline is July 31st and Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi has said he would like a deal done before Hallady's July 29th start against Seattle (so would Seattle). During all the trade talk ole' Doc Halladay keeps taking the mound every fifth day and carving people like a Ginsu. Toronto is terrible though and even with an entire rotation of Roy Halladays they have no chance of catching New York, Boston or even Tampa Bay. So Ricciardi mine as well get something for the greatest pitcher in Blue Jay history before he peaces out on them.