Fang's Bites

Michelle Beadle Wants Certain Items in Her ESPY Gift Bag

This has become a busy night as there’s a story breaking and I will post something shortly, but to tie you over, here’s a video from Funny or Die starring Friend of Fang’s Bites Michelle Beadle. In it, she seeks to have certain items placed in her ESPY Award gift bag. Joining her are women’s boxer Leila Ali and Buffalo Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman. Some very funny stuff in this spoof of various appeal public service announcements. And of course, Michelle looks fabulous. When does she not? Here’s the video for you. And it’s the only time I’ll reference the ESPY’s this year.

I love it. I told you Michelle looks fabulous.

Field of Dreams 2: NFL Lockout

This video premiered on SportsCenter this morning and is now on Funny or Die. Luckily, I can embed it for you. It’s pretty funny. When I received the press release promoting a “Field of Dreams” theme for an NFL lockout video, I didn’t think it would work, but lo and behold it did. Featuring an all-star cast from Hollywood, the NFL and the sports media, this video works rather well.

See if you spot all of the stars in the cast.

So the cast included from TV and movies: Taylor Lautner, Ray Liotta, Dennis Haysbert and Marielle Jaffe; from the NFL: Ray Lewis, Tony Gonzalez, Shawne Merriman, Antonio Cromartie, Kirk Morrison, Steve Smith, Shaun Phillips, Dwight Freeney and DeSean Jackson; from ESPN: Steve Levy; from NFL Network: Rich Eisen and Marshall Faulk. Very well done.

SportsCenter To Premiere An All-New Funny Or Die Video

You know there’s nothing going on when ESPN sends a press release touting a new “Funny or Die” video with a “Field of Dreams” theme that will feature several NFL athletes, an ESPN personality, an NFL Network personality, one of the stars of the Twilight movie series, the former President David Palmer of 24, as well as one of the stars of the original “Field of Dreams”. If you’re not aware of “Funny or Die”, it features plenty of comedy videos and it’s had quite a few sports themes as well.

So for the first time, ESPN and Funny or Die team up to air a video and it will air at 9:30 a.m. ET Wednesday on SportsCenter. We have details for you.

Sports-Themed Funny Or Die Video Debuts on SportsCenter

The latest video from Funny Or Die — Field of Dreams 2: Lockout — is scheduled to debut on tomorrow’s (Wednesday’s) SportsCenter at about 9:30 a.m. ET on ESPN.

The sports-themed video features well known movie stars, NFL players and sports personalities.Paying homage to the 1989 classic film Field of Dreams, the Funny Or Die video spoofs the current NFL lockout on day 113, and ends with a surprise special appearance from the original movie.

Taylor Lautner, star of the Twilight series and the forthcoming Abduction, reprises the role of Field of Dreams’  Ray Kinsella, while Ray Liotta, who played “Shoeless” Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams, surfaces as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Dwight Freeney, DeShawn Jackson, Antonio Cromartie (l to r) in Field of Dreams 2: The Lockout

Several NFL players including Ray Lewis, Tony Gonzalez, Dwight Freeney, DeSean Jackson, Shawn Merriman and Antonio Cromartie play themselves, as do ESPN SportsCenter anchor Steve Levy and the NFL Network’s Rich Eisen.

Also appearing in the Funny Or Die video is Dennis Haysbert (24, Major League, Allstate Insurance commercials) simulating James Earl Jones’ role in Field of Dreams, and Marielle Jaffe (Scream 4) as Annie Kinsella.

The video, the biggest on-line production in the four-year history of Funny Or Die, was shot last week in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Founded by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy, the site, with hundreds of exclusive celebrity videos, has more than 11 million unique users and over 40 million video views per month.

That’s it.

Some Thursday Links

This day has been a headspinner as there was too much commotion at my Massachusetts office and the minute I step into the Rhode Island office, there was too much commotion. It’s the type of day where college basketball needs to reign supreme and thankfully, the NCAA Tournament is back in action. In case you’re wondering who is calling the games, check out my post on the Sweet Sixteen tip times.

Now to the links.

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy says former NFL coach Bill Parcells returns to ESPN for a one-time special on the Draft.

Tim Gardner of USA Today says Virginia Commonwealth University is taking the opportunity to bash ESPN’s Dick Vitale.

Reid Cherner from USA Today looks at a new movie based on high school wrestling.

At the Sporting News, Tripp Mickle of Sports Business Daily/Journal writes that the NASCAR Media Group is trying to diversify its portfolio.

Interesting interview conducted by XX Sports Radio with CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus who assesses how the first week of the NCAA Tournament went under the new CBS/Turner Sports consortium.

Adweek’s Anthony Crupi says CBS/Turner made the NCAA Tournament into a viewing masterpiece.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says Turner Media Group is using real-time billboards to keep commuters updated on the NCAA Tournament.

Marcus Vanderberg from SportsNewser says the two Oregon men arrested for stealing the Lee Corso head from the College GameDay set have pleaded guilty to the theft.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid says Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi went too far in asking whether University of Florida basketball players are engaging in premarital sex.

Dan Daley at Sports Video Group looks at how TV production crews try to pick up the crack of the bat during MLB games.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks with Tiger Woods about his new pricey iPhone app.

Brian Lowry of Fox Sports proposes a new NCAA Tournament drinking game to liven up your watching of college basketball.

Lynette Rice of Entertainment Weekly says Eliza Dushku will play the character based on Friend of Fang’s Bites Michelle Beadle in the new CBS sitcom that will star Damon Wayans who is supposedly playing a character based on ESPN Radio hack Colin Cowherd.

Eliza made the announcement on her Facebook page and on Twitter last night.

Tom Renner of The Daily Fairfield (CT) recaps an appearance made by four ESPN SportsCenter anchors led by Bob Ley.

Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says WPIX has announced its Mets schedule for 2011.

In the New Jersey Newsroom, Evan Weiner writes that we may not like it, but sports owners are entitled to every penny they make from sweetheart stadium revenue deals.

Keith Groller from the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says former CBS college basketball bitter curmudgeon analyst Billy Packer will be on HBO next week.

Laura Nachman says Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia has announced its 2011 Phillies schedule.

Jen Royle writes her last post for MASN as she leaves the regional sports network to focus on radio.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner notes that Jen will be the host of a new Baltimore Orioles-centric pre and post game show.

Jim says the ratings prove that viewers like having access to all of the NCAA Tournament games.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says through TV and mobile apps, fans are finding ways to watch the NCAA Tournament.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talks with CBS’ Clark Kellogg.

Bob also talks with ESPN’s Jay Bilas.

Baxter Holmes of the Los Angeles Times notes that Arizona basketball coach Sean Miller was once on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

ESPN Films documentary on “The Fab Five” will air in Canada next week.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that the Canadian Soccer Championships will be on TV once again.

Dave Kohl from Major League Programs talks about the NCAA Tournament coverage.

We’ll end with a video that’s making the rounds of the sports blogosphere today. It’s Funny of Die getting Screamin’ Gus Johnson to describe some of the greatest moments in history as only Gus can.

And we’re done.

The Legend of Jim Brockmire

That’s a very funny video. Great stuff.