Thursday, April 13th

What a great week we had here at Best Damn! We had our share of funny, intense and downright odd moments -- a good taste of what Best Damn is all about. Author Jeff Pearlman joined us today for an interesting conversation on his new Barry Bonds book. Give the guy credit for sitting between two of Barry's friends (Sal & Rodney) and speaking his mind. He definitely seemed nervous, not sure if it was your "run of the mill" TV anxiety or his sitting between two ex-athletes with a very different outlook on the situation.

Artie Lange from the Howard Stern Show was definitely the comedy highlight of the week. He got into it pretty good with our guest host Mike Goldberg (who did a great job filling in for Rose). Highlight of Artie's appearance was Goldy calling him "Artskie." Funny stuff.

But of course, the thing that had everyone talking was the end of our Best Damn Hotties Tournament. We'd like to thank all of you for voting (over 1 million of you). Our newest contributor to the Best Damn Blog, Bernie, gives us his thoughts on the tourney's finale and his "One Shining Moment."

The Best Damn Hottie Next Door (don't you wish?), Elisha Cuthbert

Well, our Best Damn Hotties Tournament has come to its conclusion, and much like the NCAA tourney, we had a surprise winner. And like Florida in the NCAA tournament, the surprise winner blew away the competition. Looking at the 16 women we had, it didn’t look like Elisha Cuthbert had much of a chance of coming out on top, but her appearance on the show Monday made it clear that the best contestant won.

First, she looked amazing. Golden locks flowing, smile lighting up the room. Anyone who questioned her victory realized what the rest of America already knew. I mean look at this picture!

Second, she nailed her interview. It was like watching Spud Webb in the 1986 Dunk contest. You know, the underdog makes it to the big stage and you’re like “That’s cute.” Then you watch the performance and you say, “Damn, I didn’t know she could do all that!” She seemed like the kind of person that you could hang out with all day and it wouldn’t get old. And what was her reaction to seeing her boyfriend, Sean Avery, get into a fight? She watched the tape and said, “(Sigh) That’s hot!” and not in the trashy Paris Hilton way, either.

And if all that wasn’t enough, have you seen her in The Girl Next Door??? (Side note: Very underrated movie with great music). She’s unstoppable.

Cuthbert proved to be the total package, and that’s why she’s the Best Damn Hottie.

 

Thanks Bernie and way to come strong on your first trip to the Best Damn Blog. And agreed, "The Girl Next Door" is a great movie. Anyone who complains about it being a "Risky Business" rip-off needs to make a trek back to the video store. Until next time....

Thursday March 30

Welcome back to the Best Damn Blog.  We've been gone for the last week, busy putting together installments of your favorite sports talk show.  Our Best Damn Hotties tournament is for lack of a better word, HOT!  You've been coming out in droves to support your favorite hottie.  The voting on this contest has broken FOXSports.com traffic records and we look to keep it up.  Remember, we're in the Final Four right now..  

Elisha Cuthbert vs. Marisa Miller 

Stacy Keibler vs. Brooke Burke

The winners of these matchups will be announced Monday, April 3. Speaking of our Best Damn Hotties, one of our "Sweet 16" caused quite a stir on Wednesday without even showing up on camera.  Matt, one of our segment producers, makes his return to the Best Damn Blog to fill us in on the details, 24-style.....

The following took place between 3:00 and 4:00 pm PT

on Wednesday March 29, 2006

3:00 – I briskly walk from our production trailer (yes, we work in a trailer, no it’s not down by the river) to Stage B where we tape the show.  

3:05 - Touch base with the director and producers before heading into the green room to pre-interview Spurs All-Star Tony Parker.

3:10 – I’m stopped by a wide-eyed co-worker in the hallway on my walk over to meet Tony P. She gives me a heads up that "Best Damn Hottie" EVA LONGORIA is standing by his side. LOOK OUT!  We meet athletes and actors on a daily basis, but to share a few minutes with a stunning beauty such as E-LONG is fine by me.

I’m feeling like Larry David at this point….PRETTY, PRETTY, PRETTY GOOD

Or

Matthew McConaughey for all you readers under the age of 30….ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT ALRIGHT

3:15 - Head to the vending machine for some breath mints. I am about to have a face-to-face with Eva Longoria and the pickle I just ate at lunch wasn’t the first impression I wanted to make.

3:20 – Game time. I introduce myself to Tony and Eva. Let me tell you folks, she looks better in person than she does on TV. The next 10 minutes were a blur. I spent most of the time trying not to stare at Eva while talking to Tony. Time to head on out to the stage.

Sidenote: Eva had egg salad on one piece of sourdough bread. Not that I was paying attention.

3:30 – Taping begins. Tony’s interview went well. He referenced John Salley’s bet with Longoria during the 2005 NBA Finals. If the Pistons won, Eva would appear on BDSSP in a bikini. If the Spurs won, Salley had to wear a speedo on our show. Parker busted out a yellow speedo and dared Sal to wear it on the show Monday.

On behalf of all of us here at Best Damn, we hope that day never comes.

3:50 - While walking off the set, I ask Eva if she’d join us as a guest on the show in the future.

Her response: “I’m only coming on the show if Salley wears the speedo.”

Salley in a speedo is a red flag. The ends don’t justify the means on this one.

3:55 - While saying goodbye to the happy couple, I had an epiphany. Fellas, if you want to pull a fine woman such as Eva you can either

A)    Master the give-and-go with Tim Duncan

OR

B)     Learn French

The choice is yours…

Au revoir

Thanks, Matt and welcome back to the blog.  Remember, get out there and vote for the Best Damn Hottie.  Don't let your favorite Hottie be eliminated!!!