PEYTON MANNING 35, PICKS DENVER BRONCOS – TIM TEBOW’S FUTURE STRONG, THOUGH CLOUDY AT PRESENT
After galavanting around almost every football team, Peyton Manning 36 has opted for Colorado’s lure, signing with the Denver Broncos.
Up until he signed, Manning was billed as the the most prominent free agent in NFL history. The Denver Broncos ‘won the prize of lofty new expectations.’
USA’s break out quarterback phenomenon star of 2012, Tim Tebow, just might be feeling a bit of pressure, or, an opportunity to learn from a new teacher in his team.
USA today reports: “Manning, who turns 36 on Saturday, instantly pushes Tim Tebow out of a starting job and assumes his quest to win a second Super Bowl with the franchise hoping to repeat the glory it achieved more than 13 years ago with coach John Elway. Although the USA media are running with the story angle of ‘Tebow’s future now cloudy’ – at least it’s a ‘cloud’ full of some of the best football knowledge America can offer Tebow as a future star of the game. He’d be wise to stay under the cloud then if he can.
For more – head to USA Today.
However, young Tebow may not have that option, Business Insider is speculating today that the Bronco’s will trade Tebow in light of Manning’s signing and that Tebow won’t be released as a free agent, like Manning was on arrival to the Broncos. Read that here.
[Photo caption - Peyton Manning & Tim Tebow . Photo credit: Doug Pensinger - Getty Images].
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 20.3.12~
HOLLYWOOD INDUSTRY NEWS WRAP UP – 7.2.12
The World Premiere of ‘The Amazing Spiderman’ is upon us. Click to play it down.
A selection of Hollywood Entertainment Industry News we’re reading today is:
Was Chrysler’s Super Bowl Commercial a Nod to Obama?
Clint Eastwood talks up the Chrysler Super Bowl Ad: Mentions Obama – kinda
Rihanna’s new flick Battleship just got it’s promo budget bumped up by $50 milli
Hollywood to Be Wooed by $800 Million Chinese Media Fund
Who Will Sing at Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Concert?
Hayley Westenra engagement is all ago
Hollywood’s History with ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ gets a digital update
Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth Greet Zac Efron in Hollywood
Money on Sports TV programming: Super Bowl inks 9 year $27.5b deal with NBC, Fox, CBS
Maria Menounos Tebows – with Tim Tebow
Kylie Minogue calls police over Twitter threats? Not over Madonna using “step into my world” line?
Inside Kourtney Kardashian’s Mexican Babymoon!
Hangover Helmer Todd Phillips & Green Hat renew First-Look Deal with Warners
Gisele Bundchen Slams Tom Brady’s Teammates – Called for, or, not?
Inside Oscar Nominees Nominees Luncheon
Guests of Berlin in Stills: 7 Film Picks to Watch at Berlin Film Festival 2012
Robert Rodriguez, Danny Trejo, AR Films’ Alexander Rodnyansky team up for film franchise
Madonna Announces 2012 World Tour Dates
Karen Thompson’s ‘The Age of Miracles’ novel snapped up by River Road – Apocalyptic
TV Pilots 2012: The Complete Guide
Apple’s take over of TV screens market looks affordable
Madonna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: What Hollywood Is Saying
Redbox & the Blockbuster DVD Kiosk
NBC says it wasn’t us - For M.I.A. Flipping Middle Finger at Super Bowl Halftime Show
Magnolia Acquires U.S. Rights To ‘Marley’
Super Bowl XLVI Most Watched TV Program Ever
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 7.2.12~
CLINT EASTWOOD – BEST SUPER BOWL TV COMMERCIALS 2012
YouTube does outstandingly well at Super Bowl time. Mainly because Super Bowl TVC’s are like the Oscars of big time advertising and marketing companies in the USA. It costs $3.5 million per 30 seconds to playdown one of these puppies during Super Bowl primetime viewing. Most Super Bowl adds are uploaded to YouTube and watched many times over for a laugh. The funny ones do the best to amuse.
The Ledger lists their Top 10 Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Audi, volkswagon, dannon oikos greek yoghurt, toyota camry, the voice )vocal kombat feat Cee Lo Green, acrua -transaction feat Jerry Seinfeld & Leno, bud light, dorritos, kia optima: a dream car for real life, bravo chrysler feat Clint Eastwood-most liked TVC.
Barcelonacreative’s best Super Bowl TVCs list included: honda cvr – matthew’s day off – ferris bueller theme & skechers sneakers – go run mr quigley humor.
The Meck Deck: liked bridgestone carma. Nvonews liked the GoDaddy.Com TVC. Many did not.
SBNnation.com liked: The Chevy Silverado 2012 commercial.
For an atlernative selection: Huffingtonpost’s Healthy Living diverts from cars and pizza TVC’s with their list.
[Above is Eastwood with Bravo Chrysler].
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 7.2.12~
SUPER BOWL 2012 NATIONAL ANTHEM – MISS KELLY CLARKSON
Every now and again from the land known as Aotearoa where “freedoms ramparts on the sea” is what has always defined our spirit of adventure…
we just might indulge oursleves in hearing a good version of the US national anthem at a very big football match.
From the land where “O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming”… here’s Miss Kelly Clarkson – from Super Bowl 2012 with a little ditty.
Not bad. A solid, no nonsense performer, she delivers.
[Photo - On The Red]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 6.2.12~
THE HORIWOOD TOP TEN – 6.2.12
To read the treaty of Waitangi, clickit on portrait above. Art via Te Ara Web.
The Horiwood Top Ten today are:
1. Elizabeth Banks on“A Culture of Blood Thirsty Voyeurism”
2. Young Romance in the nation of Love – New Zealand Weddings 2012
3. David Beckham, Tom Brady & kids
4. A photo – Fireworks Over Waitangi – Celebrating New Zealand’s Special Day
5. PM John Key, David Shearer -Waitangi Visits 2012
6. Aston Marton One-77 power: UK car fans segue Horiwood.Com into the chit chat mix
7. Eli Manning - Sam Borden on Tough Endurance Under Pressure in Football
8. Robin Li - 12th MOST VOTED STAR 2011
9. Tino Rangatiratanga in Entertainment from Hollywood
10. Paora Tuhaere - Founding Father Tamaki Makaurau – Auckland City
Some Waitangi Day News bites links are:
Key: Waitangi tradition to continue. PM tries to reassure over asset sales. Hundreds mark Waitangi at Wellington waterfront. Waitangi Day dawn service ‘peaceful’. TV 3 – Cannon fire and a sinking waka: a calmer day at Waitangi. TVNZ – Waitangi Day in full swing (5:42). TV3 - Queen celebrates 60 years on throne.
Photo – New Zealand Herald. More photos can be viewed here.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 6.2.12~
GUEST COMMENTARY – BRIAN BROWNSTEIN ON GIANTS WIN SUPER BOWL OVER PATRIOTS
Brian Brownstein of the Sydney Morning Herald gives the break down in the form of guest commentary of Eli Manning‘s triumphant win over Tom Brady‘s team. Read bottom up to get the full picture of this mammoth live blog effort. Incidentally it costs $3.5 million for a 30 second ad in Super Bowl prime time.
The New York Giants have beaten the New England Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI. This is how all the drama unfolded. All times are AEDT.
2.30pm: MVP Manning has summed up the drama perfectly.
“It’s been a wild game, a wild season,” he said.
2.15pm: Giants coach Tom Coughlin is revelling in another Super Bowl triumph. That’s two for him now with the New York side.
“To have a finish like that, that goes down in history, that’s a marvelous feeling,” he said.
2.12pm:
Giants star David Baas coudn’t contain his excitement.
“This is the American Dream,” he told SEN.
“This is about winning with your family…” he said of coach Tom Coughlin.
“I’ll play for him seven times a week and twice on Sunday.”
2.10pm: Manning is the MVP. He threw for 296 yards and one touchdown. As for Brady, he threw for 276 yards and two touchdwons, but was intercepted once.
2.00pm: Manning is being hailed the hero for the Giants. He was typically nerveless in that fourth quarter. And that pass to Mario Mannigham will go down in folklore.
1.56pm: The Patriots have now lost four Super Bowls.
1.53pm: It’s all over. GIANTS WIN. Brady launched a bomb into the end zone but it was incomplete. Giants 21 Patriots 17
1.51pm: Brady nails two incredible passes. Five seconds left. Patriots have 52 yards to go
1.49pm: Brady is sacked on third down and 10. Patriots have no time outs left, so if they don’t complete this pass (fourth down and 16) it’s all over.
1.44pm: TOUCHDOWN! The Giants remarkably tried not to score to run down the clock, but Ahmad Bradshaw was left with a huge hole to run through (left open on purpose by the Patriots) and went over. He tried to stop himself on the one-yard line but couldn’t. Tom Brady has 57 seconds to get 80 yards to rescue New England. Giants 21 Patriots 17
1.40pm: The Giants are second down and goal with 64 seconds remaining. Time out called.
1.38pm: The Giants are nearing the end zone. They have gone 70 yards in five plays.
1.33pm: Manning throws a 38-yard pass, the longest of the match. Amazing catch by Mario Manningham. The referee reviews the call and it’s good. The Giants are on the march.
1.30pm: Brady is unsuccessful on this drive and New England punt after a 48-yard drive. It’s back with the Giants. Giants 15 Patriots 17
1.25pm: Tom Brady will be hoping to put a winning margin between his Patriots team and the Giants in this drive. The spotlight is on him, but he’s certainly used to being the centre of attention. After all, he is married to Brazilian supermodel Giselle Bundchen.
The power couple aren’t short of a few bob and they’ve recently bought a $20m house in Brentwood, LA.
And it’s not only Bundchen that appears in front of the camera for money. Brady himself does a bit of modelling. Bundchen is so desperate for her husband to win today that she emailed her friends asking them to pray for him. Unfortunately for her, the New York Post got hold of it, and published it.
1.18pm: Manning throws and it’s incomplete. Giants forced to punt and the Patriots have it on their own eight-yard line. Giants 15 Patriots 17.
1.15pm: Manning calls another time out. The Giants now only have one left.
1.07pm: If the game does go to overtime the NFL’s rule - allowing both teams to have the ball if the first possession results in a field goal – will come into play.
1.03pm: INTERCEPTION! Chase Blackburn catches a Brady length-of-the-field bomb and the Giants have the ball. No Super Bowl has ever gone to overtime. Could this be the first?
1.00pm: Patriots coach Bill Belichick stands on the verge of a fourth Super Bowl win as a head coach, which would put him level with legendary former Steelers coach Chuck Noll.
He looks tetchy on the sidelines though. I hope no one gets in his way, like this photographer did.
12.55pm: Rob Ninkovich sacks Manning on third down, the third time the Giants’ quarterback has been sacked in the match.
The Giants have been forced to settle for a field goal. Giants 15 Patriots 17. That’s the end of the third quarter.
12.48pm: The Giants defence does its job and the Patriots are forced to punt from near their end zone. The New Yorkers are now in great field position on New England’s 48-yard line. Five minutes 36 seconds remain in the quarter.
12.43pm: Another break in play and some more adverts.
Elton John appears in a Pepsi commercial as a bored king. It’s not my favourite (I wonder if MAdonna will have anything to say about Elton), but Melanie Amaro, the first X-Factor winner, has an incredible voice.
12.40pm: If you want to watch Madonna’s half-time show again, check it out here.
12.38pm: Field goal for the Giants is good. Giants 12 Patriots 17. Six minutes 43 seconds left in the thrid quarter.
12.32pm: Brady is showing why he is regarded as one of the best ever quarterbacks. He controlled that drive brilliantly.
He’s a strong guy, but when he joined the Patriots he was nothing of the sort. Check out this picture taken in 2000, just before the Patriots drafted him. He was pretty scrawny.
12.29pm: TOUCHDOWN! Patriots score with their first drive of the second half. Brady picks out Aaron Hernandez and they are over. Gostkowski slots the field goal and it’s Giants 9 Patriots 17.
12.22pm: And the second half is under way. Giants 9 Patriots 10.
12.17pm: It’ll be interesting to see how the critics review Madonna’s performance. For me, Michael Jackson showed how it should be done in 1993.
12.14pm: Madonna certainly didn’t hold back with her outfit.
12.04pm: Madonna opened with Vogue and is now singing Music.
11.54am: It’ll be half-time entertainment soon, with Madonna taking centre stage. The Material Girl will be up there for 12 minutes and will give renditions of three old songs [still unknown] and her new track, Give Me All Your Luvin, which she’ll perform alongside Nicky Minaj and MIA.
The 53-year-old follows in the footsteps of the Black Eyed Peas …
11.50am: It’s half-time. Giants 9 – Patriots 10. The New York outfit dominated most of the half, but an amazing 14-play drive by the Patriots saw them steal the lead in the last minute of the second quarter. The rest of the game promises to be a nailbiter.
11.47am: TOUCHDOWN! Brady picks out Danny Woodhead. It was a 96-yard drive – the joint longest in Super Bowl history.
11.44am: Another break and another advert. David Beckham‘s piece for H&M is dominating the Twitter verse.
11.39am: Not everyone is enjoying the game. (Non-American) footballer Wayne Rooney has this to say. “Watching American football, is like watching paint dry.”
11.34am: Finally, Brady gets his arm going, finding Mr Reliable Rob Gronkowski with a 20-yard pass. Grondowski has caught 17 touchdown passes this season – the most ever by a tight end. The Patriots are making good progress up the field.
11.27am: Tom Brady will not be happy with the way the game is going. And he’s not shy of showing how he feels when things are against him. Check out this tantrum …
11.25am: Cruel blow for New York’s Travis Beckum, who has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and will be out for a long time. It’s Giants 9 Patriots 3 with 6 minutes 30 left in the half.
11.15am: The Giants have won the past two meetings between the sides, including a 24-20 victory in week nine. Andy Benoit of The New York Times explains why the New York outfit won that clash.
11.12am: The Giants are certainly in control. The Patriots will have to tighten up, with New England in danger of being exposed by Manning’s deep passing game.
11:05am: Make that Giants 9 Patriots 3 as Gostkowski gets the Patriots on the board with a 29-yard field goal.
11.00am: SCORE UPDATE: Giants 9 Patriots 0
10.55am: Brady will now get the chance to redeem himself for his earlier error, but not before another advert break.
An advert costs an unbelievable $US3.5 million for 30 seconds.
And this year advertisers have broken with tradition with more than half of the 50 or so ads that are running today available for viewing before the actual match.
10.51am: TOUCHDOWN! Manning picks out Victor Cruz and the Giants are over. Lawrence Tynes adds the extra point and the Giants lead 9-0.
Touchdown … Victor Cruz scores for the Giants. Photo: Getty Images10.50am: Things go from bad to worse from the Patriots as they are penalised five yards for having 12 men on the pitch. Second down and goal for the Giants.
10.48am: It’s the Giants’ 18th play of the game to the Patriots’ one. New York are on New England’s 11-yard line.
10.45am: The atmosphere sounds incredible in the 63,000 capacity stadium in Indianapolis. Although the fans may not want to eat there after this was revealed in 2009.
10.40am: Brady’s first pass is incomplete, but a penalty is called against New England for intentional grounding. It’s a SAFETY and the Giants are 2-0 up.
10.35am: Manning had made a solid start, but was then sacked twice in three plays. The Giants punt and the Patriots will start their drive on their own six-yard line.
10.31am: Manning gets first chance with ball in hand. In the last five games he has thrown 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
Known as a practical joker, he certainly rates himself.
And the great thing about Manning is he never seems to lose his head. This season he has thrown an NFL record 15 fourth-quarter touchdown passes.
10.30am: Stephen Gostkowski kicks off Super Bowl XLVI. It’s collected at the one yard line and returned to the 23-yard line.
10.28am: Tom Brady has won three Super Bowls. Check out these highlights (including an amazing pass from the floor at about 1.50 into the video), which show why he’s so highly regarded.
San Francisco 49ers’ legend Joe Montana and Pittsburgh Steeler Terry Bradshaw are the only quarterbacks to have won four. Judging by these clips, Brady will be in illustrious company if his team wins today.
10.24am: It’s the coin toss at the Lucas Oil Stadium. The Patriots have won it and will kick-off.
10.20am: Kelly Clarkson has just sung the national anthem and the crowd seemed to like it. Well, it couldn’t have been worse than Christina Aguilera, who was pitchy and botched the words.
Brian Brownstein (@brianbrownstein) is Deputy News Editor of smh.com.au
~Reposted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 6.2.12~
ACT OF VALOR SUPER BOWL TVC 2012
I firmly believe that acts of valor involve saving and preserving the planet, not destroying it, so easily.
On that note, here’s Act of Valor‘s Super Bowl TVC. How can we not glamorize destroying nature and the planet? is my question today.
[On average the US has 'spent' $1 million per soldier, per year in Afghanistan - past military budgets have shown].
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 6.2.12~
ELI MANNING – SAM BORDEN’S PORTRAIT OF TOUGH ENDURANCE UNDER PRESSURE IN FOOTBALL
[photograph - Eli Manning by Doug Mills of the New York Times].
Sam Borden writes from Indianapolis for the New York Times painting a picture of Eli Manning‘s long road of endurance under pressure, before making the Super Bowl final for the New York Giants. Writes Sam:
“INDIANAPOLIS — When Eli Manning was about 3 years old, he tumbled down the stairs of the Manning family house. His older brothers, Cooper and Peyton, watched as little Eli went head over heels and ended up at their feet.
Cooper recalls, “Eli just sort of got up, looked around for a minute and ran off to play. He didn’t cry at all. It was,” he said, “without a doubt the toughest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Until recently that word — tough — was not often associated with the older Eli Manning, the one who is the Giants quarterback. Running backs were tough. Linemen were tough. Big, burly quarterbacks who hobbled around on damaged ankles like Ben Roethlisberger were tough. Manning was not. Or so, at least, it seemed.
Yet, as the Giants weaved through this inconsistent season of failure and well-timed flourishing, Manning displayed a personal grit that most Giants fans had not necessarily seen before, replaced by a steely determination from Manning that carried the Giants to this lofty perch: set to face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Manning’s performance against the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago in the N.F.C. championship game was the most recent example, and maybe the most emblematic. (more…)
THE MOST TALKED ABOUT SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS 2012
Watch The Most Talked About Super Bowl Commercials for 2012.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aoteraoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 4.2.12~
BOX OFFICE NORTH AMERICA – THE WOMAN IN BLACK, CHRONICLE, BIG MIRACLE – 4.2.12
In Box Office North America News this weekend: The Woman In Black might be pipping Chronicle @ No.1 – Big Miracle sits @ 3.
This Super Bowl weekend, the box office is in a highly contested neck-and-neck lock down of directors’ vision and marketing blitz wits. What’s at stake? Movie goers eye gates and ticket dollars.
Here in Kiwiland we’re doing the Rugby Sevens International tournie in Wellywood. What’s at stake? Our nation’s sobriety. Just kidding.
5 Rugby Seven Costumes of Spectators as listed by The Dom are:
1. Manikinis ala Brit-Cohen comedian Borat.
2. Warbirds – 1940′s Yandel Sisters aviation chic
3. Wookies from Star Wards
4. Michael Bay movie-set paraphenalia.
It’s a laugh-a-minute seeing the more Krazier Kiwis of rugby’s mega following turning out a show in the name of sport from the nation’s capitol.
A little bit more festive and light-hearted than movie horror flicks perhaps. :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 4.2.12~
CELEBRITY SMACKDOWN – HOLLYWOOD SUPPORTS GIANTS FOR SUPER BOWL 2012
The Hollywood Reporter does a twitter round up to see what American celebrities will be doing to get into the Super Bowl madness occurring in the US right now. In an article titled Celebrity Super Bowl Smack Down here’s the angles:
Super Bowl XLVI – New York Giants fan 50 Cent made a bet with a Twitter follower that he will post a NSFW picture of himself if his team loses.–Ew!
Harvey Weinstein has been hosting Giants ‘game-viewing parties’ in St Barts, earlier this year.–Better!
Steven Tyler, Mark Wahlberg, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are all native New Yorkers living in Hollywood. Big Giants fans.
Super Bowl is always fun to watch in Hollywood. Usually at a local restaurant with one’s hood peeps, is how it’s done in Hollywood for fans of Super Bowl.
Actually, It’s completely strange for me to not be in the US to watch it this year. Oh … well.
The Giants are co-owned by Hollywood Producer Steve Tisch.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 4.2.12~
MADONNA’S NEW SINGLE “GIVE ME ALL YOUR LUVIN”
It’s the Super Bowl weekend in North America: Madonna’s Super Bowl single Give Me All Your Luvin (Live Nation/Interscope) is certainly big,” writes Newsday.
BENJAMIN PRESLEY AND SUPER BOWL WEEKEND 2012
Elvis Presley‘s grandson Benjamin has been rating well the last three days. Benjamin’s currently writing songs for his debut rock album.
Here’s a pic of his famous grandad, heading into Super Bowl football weekend in the USA. Woot! It’s the big weekend. :)
Photo via UiG.
Some topics trending on the blog’s search engine right now are:
Trending topics at the time of writing are: “the most searched for item in new zealand,” Jamie Lynn Spears, New Zealand, David Blaine, Casey Aldridge, David Choe, young men as fathers, Horiwood On Demand, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, Kenyon Martin, Miss Elliette , Les Miles & Gunner Kiel, hawke eye, Ryan Gosling, Sheryl Sandberg, Benjamin Presley, Fiji, Josh Hamilton, tiger, Edwin Jackson, Awa Hudson, Avatar Hollywood movie, Brooke Fraser, George Cruickshank Art.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zelaand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 3.1.12~
SUPERBOWL AD WARS – JOHN CARTER GETS THE PROMO SPOT FOR DISNEY
The best TVC’s in the USA are made for Super Bowl. Watch Disney promo their John Carter movie teaser with a sweepstakes tie-in to win a trip to Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 in New Orleans.
But who is John Carter?
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 31.1.12~
SUPER BOWL XLVI – ROAD TO INDIANAPOLIS IS SET
Superbowl 2012 – Indianapolis Update: Jan 1, 2012 – After 17 weeks the 32 teams that were in the running to play in Super XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium have been paired down by NFL to 12 teams. It’s now known who will play who (and when) during NFL Wild Card Weekend:
Saturday, Jan. 7
AFC: No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at No. 3 Houston Texans (10-6), 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
NFC: No. 6 Detroit Lions (10-6) at No. 3 New Orleans Saints (13-3), 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Sunday, Jan. 8
NFC: No. 5 Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at New York Giants (9-7), 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
AFC: No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) at No. 4 Denver Broncos (8-8), 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Indiana SBNation.Com writes: “[Above] is the schedule for the wild card weekend. New England and Green bay earned home field advantage throughout the playoffs, while San Francisco and Baltimore each earned first round byes. As the No. 1 seeds, New England and Green Bay will play the lowest remaining seed in their conferences after the wild card round. Green Bay’s game will be played on the Sunday of divisional weekend along with Baltimore’s, while New England and San Francisco will play on the Saturday of divisional weekend.”
In addition to wild-card games, the NFL also released the schedule for divisional games:
Saturday, Jan. 14
NFC: Highest remaining NFC seed at No. 2 San Francisco 49ers (13-3), 4:30 p.m, ET (FOX)
AFC: Lowest remaining AFC seed at No. 1 New England Patriots (13-3), 8 p.m. ET (CBS)
Sunday, Jan. 15
AFC: Highest remaining AFC seed at No. 2 Baltimore Ravens (12-4), 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
NFC: Lowest remaining NFC seed at No. 1 Green Bay Packers (15-1), 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 2.1.12~
THE HORIWOOD TOP TEN – 22.12.11
TVNZ newsroom shake ups continue at Christmas. Nadine Chalmers-Ross found out for Christmas that her AMP Business show will be absorbed into the Breakfast TV show format.
Ten best music videos of 2011 (+videos)
In the US, Erika Ross Smith has filed a sexual harassment law suit against basketball’s Golden State Warriors, star guard Monta Ellis, read that here. Sports stars, celebrity and iPhones are not always a winning combo for some.
In other sports headlines, New York Jets gossip has fans asking, is Kate Upton and Mark Sanchez an item?
San Diego & Quiet Earth media are swept away by the 1st edition of The Hobbit movie trailer. At the 7-11 & liquor stores, shoppers can’t resist asking the question, “who will win the Mega Millions lottery that has jackpotted to $173 million?”
Winter solstice movie watching options appears to be split between either youtubing the Turin Shroud on the cheap, or, in favor of The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo‘s English film version’s controversial adaptations of the Swedish classic original.
Here in New Zealand, The Horiwood Top Ten today are:
2. A List 100 – New Zealand’s Most Trusted People – RD poll
3. Vaclav Havel – Czech Republic
4. Zoe Saldana
5. Hillsong Australia – Christmas Community Production 2011
6. Daniel Carter & Honor Dillon wedding photos
7. Movie action star Alex Meraz
9. Angela Jolie‘s PR movie marketing December 2011
10. James Stunt & Petra Ecclestone
Breaking News – Superbowl to be streamed live online in 2012
New Zealand News
SAS troops: ‘It’s time to come home’ -Prime Minister John Key has confirmed the SAS will be withdrawn from Afghanistan in March. Nice!
Or, TVNZ -SAS to come home in March
Dairy keeps title as 2011 commodity king
Another take on Rugby World Cup’s economic boost
Or – TVNZ NZ economy growth defies expectations
Domestic Tourism gets a boost due to family get togethers + Christ‘s birth – Holiday exodus – 1.67m hit the road
In Teens who need Protein news: Shoplifting gangs stealing trolleys full of food.
TV3 – The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey trailer
5.7 quake strikes off New Zealand
1000 leave for Australia every week
Child abuser a ‘manipulative, evil woman’ Or, needing help and support in the worst GFC in 30 years, like anyone else with 7 kids! … Or both.
NFL: Rogers named athlete of the year
Australian News
Sydney Morning Herald’s no.1 story today is: drugs (new ‘ice’) + shipping containers. Yawn!
Developing our sea legs: overnight training
Accident claim reforms under review
Asia-Pacific News
NY Times - Successor in North Korea Moves to Consolidate Power
Military uncle to share power with NKorea Kim son
Barbara Demick asks Are tears for N. Korean leader real or fake?
Chinese Villagers Win Compromise
![[122111nkcolor2]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-RC435_122111_E_20111221141019.jpg)
North Korea Eases Border Grip – Traffic at North Korea’s border with China appeared to pick up after the country closed itself off earlier this week following the death of leader Kim Jong Il.
Russia News
Russia Parliament Opens Amid Outcry
Putin Seeks to Lure Entrepreneurs
Mid East News
NY Times – Syria Said to Kill at Least 160 on Eve of Observers’ Visit
NY Times – Iraqi Leader Threatens to Abandon Power-Sharing
UK News
BBC – Finns stop ‘Patriot missile’ ship
Hobbit fans given taster of film
Google criticised on music piracy
Irish call for Facebook changes
USA News
8 U.S. soldiers charged in private’s ‘apparent’ suicide in Afghanistan
BBC – US court jails boxer Mayweather
Tom Williams - Yale Coach Resigns After Rhodes Claim
Eligible Black Bachelors?
The Problem With Accountants
BBC – Texas jury awards $150bn damages
Report: Chamber of Commerce Hacked By Chinese Group
Five lessons Congress didn’t learn in 2011
Hollywood support – Matt Damon rips Obama again
National Menorah Lighting Ceremony
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 22.12.11~
ADAM, THE MIXED-MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTER HAS A BLACK EYE TODAY WITH SOME BLACK EYED PEAS SUPER BOWL ENTERTAINMENT – 2.7.11
Adam, a fighter specializing in mixed-martial arts, is taking the hard hits for the art of sport and honed reflexes today.
The local legend of Legends Mixed Martial Arts (Training Center) here in Los Angeles says “I love the Maori haka. Your Kiwi football [rugby football] boys are fierce doing the haka!”
We talk about Maori actor Cliff Curtis who trains in Mau Rakau (the indigenous form of Maori Martial Arts learned on Mokoia Island training schools at set times of the year in Rotorua, New Zealand). A trip to Rotorua is something that fascinates Adam, to learn this Maori sport.
Cliff kicked his weight at the global box office in The Last Airbender in 3D, a big box office winner last year worldwide. Mau Rakau goes with Hollywood, already as a useful sports activity that can equate to box office stars with good casting moves on the board.
“Black eyes are just a part of the sport,” Adam says with an eye that only Sylvester Stallone‘s mother Jackie could love today. “I’m so used to having them, I’ve learned to read out of the eye that’s less painful to see out of each week. It varies.”
Man. That’s tough. Cheers bo!
Adam is also a student, studying hard, as well as being a top-level fighter. It’s about good balance and taking the good with the bad being a champ, who can read with both eyes! Go Adam!!
Music – In case you wanted to see it again, here’s Fergie, Will.I.Am & The Black Eyed Peas turning out their Super Bowl Show 2011 from Sunday. It’s all about the freaky costumes and the armies and armies of dancers doing MC Hammer’s running man moves, in an effort to look like the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, I tell ya! Will’s dancers are running to school to get educated or something though, apparently in his shout outs during this performance.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 2.7.11~
WALL STREET JOURNAL GOES FOR A GOOGLE’S “HEAD OF MIDDLE EAST MARKETING” AS EGYPT’S REVOLUTIONARY HERO SCANDAL – WITH FRONT PAGE SUPER BOWL NEWS
What lies beneath a veil of Mid-East political activism? Google! as an agent of world domination, that’s what!
Have you heard of Wael Ghonim yet?
He’s America’s main man in ‘shaping Egypt’s culture of revoloution’ – using the internet’s lure to the Mid-East as the bait. The Wall Street Journal celebrated the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl football win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, with a Google-Egypt scandal as their front page news today.
Perhaps because AOL has merged with the Huffington Post, the WSJ deemed this Google story to be front page news worthy. The story goes a little like this – Google Executive Emerges as Key Figure in Revolt: “More than a week after his mysterious disappearance in Egypt, Google executive and political activist Wael Ghonim will be released from government detention on Monday, according to his family and a prominent businessman.
“During his disappearance, Mr. Ghonim, a father of two who is in his 30s, emerged as a central symbol of the antigovernment protests, cast as the face of a movement and hero in the cause of democracy. Protest organizers in Cairo’s central Tahrir Square adopted him as a symbolic leader. Suspecting his arrest—but having no proof—they declared in speeches that they wouldn’t leave the square until he was freed. Marchers carried homemade signs emblazoned with his name. At the same time, some local media suggested the political activities of Mr. Ghonim, who is Google’s head of marketing for the Middle East and North Africa, make him a traitor to his nation. 
ARIANNA HUFFINGTON SELLS HER BLOG TO AOL FOR US$315 MILLION IN POST SUPER BOWL NEWS, NEW YORK TIMES
[Todays true fact - Hillary Clinton has worked so hard for America, she's been on the road 165 days in her first two years of office. Wow!]
On the cover of The New York Times today (like most major newspapers in the US) the front page rhetoric is Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers Team’s Super Bowl football win, juxtaposed against “Egypt vows new protest news” with wait…. this caught me by suprise a major IT or Online information-sharing company’s news story too.
The latter big IT story (of two major ones covering papers) today, is that Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post is selling her blog (not website, but blog) to AOL for $315 Million. $300 million to be paid in cash and $15 million in stock. AOL hopes to ‘gain readers and increase profit from online ads.’ AOL seeks to reach 100 million new visitors with Arianna’s golden taste of news and snobby tone – that America’s intelligentsia seems to think is US.
So much so, that Ms Huffington is kinda getting married to AOL. In a corporate merger kind of way of twinsy-like ‘finished sentences.’ That romance goes a little like this – “Arianna Huffington, the cable talk show pundit, author and doyenne of the political left, will take control of all of AOL’s editorial content as president and editor in chief of a newly created Huffington Post Media Group. The arrangement will give her oversight not only of AOL’s national, local and financial news operations, but also of the company’s other media enterprises like MapQuest and Moviefone.
THE HORIWOOD TOP TEN – SUPER BOWL SUNDAY – 2.6.11
Transformers Chevrolet Super Bowl TVC was pretty cool this year. Press play above to see a big budget special FX sports TV spend.
Hollywood entertainment news and celebrity news favorites voted today on Horiwood.Com, round out our top ten news picks like so. Thanks team. Happy Super Bowl Sunday after-match madness then.
1. Merata Mita. New cinema verite filmmaking ideas – Once upon a Forbes US website
2. Kim Kardashian‘s silver body paint art of reality TV portraiture
3. Pink‘s do-it-yourself-photo-shoots humor
4. What Nicole Kidman thought of marriage to Tom Cruise
5. Kim Kardashian & The Horiwood Top Ten – Sat. 2.5.11
6. Political leaders making billions while in office
7. When Russell Brand was in high school
8. Ronald Reagan‘s Star – Hollywood Walk of Fame
9. Demi Moore Ashton Kutcher Justin Timberlake party for Super Bowl 2011
10. Born This Way – A President – 100 Years ago today – 1.5.11
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 2.6.11~
CHRISTINA ARGUILERA’S SUPER BOWL NATIONAL ANTHEM 2011
When Christina Arguilera warbles her tonsils off, she’s always freakin amazin. Even when she doesn’t get it perfect every time.
Although Christina has sung the Star Spangled Banner a gazillion times before, the diva managed to creatively rearrange the lyrics of the song in the heat of a national spotlight at the most televised American event of the year.
“O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? spontaneously became”What so proudly we watched at the twilight’s last reaming?” instead. Very poetic even in a forgotten lyrics moment. She still sings a complete poetic sentence. Wow!
Because I’m still learning the lyrics myself like many other people in the US (Christina too) here they are in full – “Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light. What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”
Beautiful lyrics. Regardless of whether they’re sung word for word or mostly right. Here’s Arguilera singing the Star Spangled Banner for Super Bowl 2011. What amazing pipes in spite of a flub.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 2.6.11~
FOOTBALL – WATCHING SUPER BOWL IN HOLLYWOOD – 3 VIEWS
Super Bowl madness today has taken over the hood. Woot! Two views from Hollywood.
Slightly Happy Blogging Update -8:47PM – In between chips and salsa and chili dogs with beer, the Packers Top The Steelers to Take Super Bowl XLV – ‘ARLINGTON, TEXAS (AP), Forget Lombardi on Broadway. Green Bay has the newest Super Bowl hit: Aaron Rodgers writes:
Capping one of the greatest postseasons for any quarterback, Rodgers led the Packers to their first NFL championship in 14 years Sunday, 31-25 over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers reclaimed the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named for their legendary coach who won the first two Super Bowls and is making his own star turn in New York these days in the play named after him.”‘
[Pic caption - Packers coach Mike McCarthy gets a Gatorade bath after winning Super Bowl XLV. Associated Press]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 2.6.11~
SEEING DOUBLE BUNNIES, ANNA FARRIS, TOPHER GRACE AND RACIAL SLURRING, GABRIEL AUBREY AND HALLE BERRY ETC NEWS – 2.4.11
It must be Valentine’s Day real soon when you see year of the Rabbit double bunny pics appearing in Hollywood as movie marketing posters. And that other movie with Topher Grace and her Young Hollywood posse that includes the funny Anna Farris. What’s it called? Poster below.
Hollywood entertainment and celebrity news happening from the hood today – looks like this.
Nicholas D. Kristof: We Are All Egyptians
Gossip: Ugly accusations fly in Halle & Gabriel‘s custody battle
Report: 22K Flee Fighting In Pakistan
Designer’s Egypt tweet causes stir - Wear Red Day
Canada rules that internet costs will be charged by usage amounts.
Locke & Key casts Jesse McCartney in the Fox TV pilot. Score.
American Idol’s TV rating are up. J to the L.O Aerosmith.
Memo to NY Times. The divine is not an iPhone’s Almost Heaven phone ICandy
Green & Yellow – Lil Wayne enters the Super Bowl prime time music market.
Verizon Halts iPhone Sales After Record First Day
ABC‘s Egypt reporters say ‘thank our lucky heads for Lebanese camera crews.’
Waitangi Day gossip, no 1 - Marae critic told to stay away
Clearisil sticks with teen porn show Skins on MTV. Y?
Reality TV star Camille Grammer will cameo in the $#*! My Dad says movie.
Obama to the $30 billion man – Urges Mubarak To Make The ‘Right Decision’
Buffy star James Masters weds Patricia Rahman Masters
Domestic Lives: Chicken Vanishes, Heartbreak Ensues
Pop star Bruno Mars to plead guilty in cocaine case. Yawn!
Teen mom Amber Portwood files police complaint against Gary Shirley
Waitangi Day Gossip no. 2 - Hapu leader calls for investigation of Waitangi media charge
Men’s dating tips - choreplay as foreplay. Emotional investing with actions not stuff.
Director defends Rihanna‘s ‘S&M’ music video
Spencer Pratt thinks USC can turn him into an FBI agent. Okay! “Security.”
Justin Bieber & Stewart swap bodies on ‘The Daily Show’
Jaime Pressly pleads nada guilty to DUI charges.
Olaf Wiig news: Kiwi cameraman injured in riots in Cairo
Movie review: Will 3-D ‘Sanctum’ make a splash?
MTV passes on a Lauren Conrad fashion line, reality TV pilot. Too eyebrows high brow?
Shortlist: Brad Pitt renovating $56M French chateau
Gwyneth Paltrow consoles Chris Martin after his folks split after 30 years marriage.
A Charlie Sheen sex tape? Say it isn’t so.
Tara Reid will star in American Pie 4 and The Big Lebowski 2.
Gossip Girl‘s creator wants to get a little bit psycho.
White House, Egypt Discuss Plan for Mubarak’s Exit
Jennifer Aniston & Jessica Simpson fans still hate on John Mayer.
Rugby Football Sports Live stream: Wellington Sevens
Super Bass news – Taylor Swift is a big fan of Nicky Minaj‘s rap style.
Mexico Suspends Offer To Send Electricity To TX
Anderson Cooper‘s Egypt reporting trials see his ratings sky rocket. Pay day.
Smaller New Orleans After Katrina, Census Shows
Zac Efron is a fan of West Hollywood’s Club Voyeur too.
Stephen Colbert To Auction Portrait Of Himself
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 2.4.11~
POP CULTURAL SYMBOLISM – MADONNA HALFTIME SHOW AT SUPER BOWL 2012
Madonna‘s “half time show” Super Bowl 2012…. Totally OTT with the black/ gold ’Roman Empire’ theme set props going on. Her logo modified to M.o depicting a) ’playing the role’ of first lady of America for the Super Bowl – Michelle Obama, and b) taking the two letters M.o in Michael Jackson’s “I.MMo.rtal World Tour from the USA’s late King of Pop.
At 53 – she looked frailer than the Madonna (‘on steroids’ persona) we’ve seen in the past, yet the chutzpah hadn’t faded (perhaps reflected in Madonna setting a twitter record of ‘fors vs againsts’ regarding her performance)… but yep, she be voguing still. Gotta respect a girl who can still follow choreography for 13 minutes at 53.
[photo - Kevin Mazur]
LMAO music ‘fro power was a good addition to Madonna’s mix. The dance choreography in Music segment was amazing. Nicki Minaj and M.I.A… were also a hit with audiences. Especially M.I.A. Sizzling.
Cee Lo Green & Madonna singing about love, mirrored POTUS’ message about love, when Obama sang Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together song recently.
The finale of Like A Prayer was a good sentiment to send across the USA at this time as a morale booster to unify and restore a sense of ‘home’ within the USA. Both Madonna and Gisele (the Brazilian model) have urged Americans to “pray” this week. Or at least referenced the word “pray.”
Well done. Nice outro with the “World Peace” symbolism and wish from Madonna too.
The message… “be a good cheer leader of America – for the girls. Guys be a strong warrior… and above all… pray for world peace at this time.”
… Meanwhile in New Zealand – we’re doing Waitangi Day celebrations. We’re voguing with Maori Rogue! :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 6.2.12~
February 6, 2012 | Categories: America, Cee Lo Green, Choreographers, Dance, Like A Prayer, LMAO, M.I.A, Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Pop Cultural Commentary, Prayer, Super Bowl, World Peace | Leave A Comment »