...For The Ride Home: Much to say about the Mariotti fallout, Conan's single, "Dexter" and goodness, 'Mad Men' was uncomfortable

That was one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen on cable television. In a "oh, no. Wait. She's not really going to... Wait...Really? Oh my God. That's what she was doing?!" moment, Sally Draper finds herself in trouble after being caught masturbating in public. She's 10. Couldn't believe it. Felt like I needed to take a shower after the episode was done. In a rare moment that forced me to dislike Roger Sterling, the white-haired man became insufferable last night, and, ironically enough, allowed me to kind of like Pete Campbell (again, a rare, first-ever moment). The Honda tactic was smart, and it's a moment such as that particular instance that reminds you of why you find yourself rooting for Don, even though he walks that "should I root for him or not" line so often. He's savvy. And the stunt he pulled last night was nothing short of fantastic. Naturally, after I scream about Jan Jones not being on the show last week, last night's episode was pretty Betty-centric (goodness, she is the worst mother ever). And finally, Don's new secretary has now officially lasted one more show than I had anticipated she would. But that's OK. I'm beginning to warm up to her comic relief. Thoughts? Comments? You know where to leave them. Speaking of which, have you stumbled across our romantic comedy thread yet? Again, all suggestions welcome/needed. Hello Week 22, and hello Hanson. Why hello Hanson? We'll get to that in tomorrow's Ride. Mondays are reserved for "Mad Men," silly. Besides, I've already run way too long for an opening paragraph, and we wouldn't want to bore you, you know. Alas, follow some of the below links and have a wonderful Monday.

Anybody out there hear about this Jay Mariotti situation? Here’s Dan LeBarard’s take on it. A must-read for sports-heads. A must. (The Big Lead)

And now a list of other ESPN personalities that have found themselves in trouble. (Midwest Sports Fan)

Sort of funny in an MTV cheesy kind of way: Movies folks would like to see based around Web sites. (MTV)

Courtland Milloy, one of the most explosive columnists in America, tackles the n-word and how it should be relayed in print. (Washington Post)

“Good God.” Those were the words uttered after seeing the financial statements at Newsweek. (Wall Street Journal)

Lithgow praises Michael C. Hall and “Dexter.” Almost to season four. No spoilers, please. (People)

Conan’s first single. (Pitchfork)

As always, a better, more detailed recap of last night’s “Mad Men.” (Entertainment Weekly)

Because you probably never check our Twitter account, and I know you love Nickelodeon game shows. (Twitter)

This show will be the "Downfall" of us all

Tuesday evening I was looking for something to watch as I wound down (winded?) for the night. I remembered earlier in the day hearing a local DJ interviewing the host of a new game show on ABC called “Downfall” – and that host was none other than Professional Wrestling Superst-ar/Entertainment Mogul/Canadian Export Chris Jericho.

Obviously I had to check it out, but unfortunately I missed the first half of the show. When I finally tuned in I was in for quite a shock. Here’s the lowdown:

Contestants dressed in ridiculous tan jumpsuits are strapped to a bungee cord on the top of a ten-story building. Super-host Jericho asks them trivia questions in certain categories that they have to answer as quick as possible. The reason for the rapid responses is because the prizes are on a conveyor belt that sends them off the top of the building if the questions aren’t answered soon enough. Eventually they can win money if they continue to answer correctly, but once they run out of chances, they are lifted over the edge of the building and bungeed to the ground below.

I was immediately appalled as I watched a washer, dryer and dining room set plummet to their eminent destruction. How in the world could a network television show promote this kind of waste in such a poor economy? My wife and I would kill for a new washer and dryer, and I just watched some jackass throw it off the roof of a building.

Could you make us feel any worse about our lives right now ABC? Please?

After watching a recap I realized they state at the beginning of the show that the prizes they’re demolishing are replicas… but honestly, that didn’t make me feel any better about this garbage. I looked for some reaction to the show on the Interweb and the few reviews I found made no mention of the prizes being replicas – which tells me that viewers either didn’t know and they’re disgusted with the idea or they did know and they’re STILL disgusted with the idea.

I suppose the appeal is that people like to watch stuff break… which I guess is ok every once in a while, but piggybacking an entire series on the premise is a bit absurd if you ask me. Before I realized the prizes were replicas I was convinced that this was one of the worst pieces of television I’d ever seen. Now, I’ll just say it was terrible.

Not even the star power of Chris Jericho could save it.

I do love this song though... not that it has anything to do with this trainwreck of a game show.



Come say hi at 4 p.m. for The Ride.