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Whether it's C. Thomas Howell, Gary Busey, the Washington Redskins,
Kwame Brown or anything the sports and entertainment worlds have to
offer, Kay's Korner (the blog formerly known as the Ramblin' Man) is the
place to come. Don't be shy, say hello, and become one of Kay's kids (It
requries only your ATM card, toenail clippers, peroxide and raw chicken).
Battle of the lesser-halves: Round deux
Updated: Feb/24/2006 06:14 AM
My loyal readers, all three of you, I apologize for my lack of
correspondence. I've been immersed in Olympics coverage with little time
to even chew my own food or watch the latest Edward James Olmos romp.
However, Round 2 of the 'Battle of the Lesser-Halves' continues this
week. The genetic mishaps that failed to make the cut are:
Donnie Wahlberg Ben savage Chris Masterson JoeyTravolta Casey
Affleck Robert Carradine The Lawrences The Wayans
Safe to say, I was surprised the Wayans didn't get much love. In
Living Color is still just as funny as it was in 1994 and I thought
the whole 'Luke Wilson is the most overrated comedic actor argument' was
golden. Regardless, here is the Everyday 8 that made the cut. This round
takes gives the runts a break and looks at the brother dad loves to
boast about. So just like their careers, the success of the
'lesser-halves' is once again dependent on their more respected brother.
I trim the fat on the list and then you, the loyal subject (ahem,
reader) of Kay's Korner makes the final say (and gets a free hot plate).
I appreciate all the participation up to this point and look forward to
seeing who becomes the best "Oh, he's really HIS brother!?"
Wild Things in the Animal House
Like Tom Sizemore collecting amphetamines or Isaiah Thomas disgruntled
hoopsters, John Belushi just seemed to be able to harness the magic of
laughter. Physical comedy was often the name of his game, but Belushi
could sing, dance and chug cosmos with the best off-Broadway had to
offer.
But most importantly, he has that James Dean/Marilyn Monroe/Len
Bias/JonBenet Ramsey thing going for him. Without a full life
to gauge, we have the luxury of remembering John in a "COLLEGE"
sweatshirt or behind the counter of a greasy Greek diner. We don't get
to see him wither and age like Abe
Vigoda or the cast from Three Men and a Baby .
Meanwhile, Matt Dillon was to the 1980s what raw
cookie dough was to the early 1990s. Everyone seemed to love
him, no matter the side effects. Before Judd Nelson made 'troubled
youth' synonymous with breakfast, Dillon was a vet at sticking it to the
man and giving nice girls the perfect opportunity to speed off to the
sunset in their 1986 white VW Rabbit.
But for the height Dillon reached in the 1980s, it seemed he just
couldn’t find the right niche in the 1990s. Sure, he surfaced once a
while to provide memorable characters, most notably the good-guy Gus in Mr.
Wonderful, the fulfiller of every high school teacher's dream in Wild Things and the capped-tooth private eye in There's Something about Mary . But for all the
expectation he amassed in the 1980s, Dillon failed to become a household
name like Michael J. Fox, Jack Bauer, or that guy from the Jamie
Kennedy Experiment.
Winner: It wasn't over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor and
according to me, it's not over for James Belushi. K-Dill is left
Cuthbert-less in his bomb shelter for the next round.
The Chase for the Vampire in Brooklyn
Once again we have a former SNLer against a star from the 1980s. John
Belushi may have been the best physical comedian in the late 1970s, but
Eddie Murphy was the king of laughter (quick, try to replicate his
laugh). The heir to greats Dick Pryor and Redd Foxx, Murphy seemed to be
an inexhaustible laugh factory in the 1980s. His two standups: Raw,
and particularly, Delirious, will forever put him among comedy's
aristocrats. And along with his 1980s four-banger of 48 Hours, Trading
Places, Beverly Hills Cop, and Coming to America,
Murphy is sure to be enshrined in comedic lore for generations to come.
Seriously, try to pick four movies from a comedic actor (aside from
Chris Elliot) that stand up to those.
But, like Bob Saget with a kilo of coffee beans and a renewed XBOX Live
subscription, Murphy's talents went to waste in the 1990s. I take that
back, 'to waste' is an understatement. Murphy effectively sold out his
oft-dirty, race-infused comic wit for wholesome, anti-septic family fun
like The Adventures of Pluto Nash and a slew of movies that
wouldn't even run at 3 a.m. on the WB. Mr. Robinson became Dr. John
Doolittle. Axel
Foley became Daddy Day Care founder Charlie Hinton. And Prince
Akeem became Maximillian,
the vampire roaming the streets of where else? Brooklyn. There's a whole
slew of movies Murphy's been in that will have you shrugging your
shoulders and uttering the line "oh yeah, he was in that."
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The best kin of Hollywood greatness is:
| 29% | Frank Stallone: I'm far from over |
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| 19% | James Belushi: It's my Mr. Destiny |
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| 52% | Charlie Murphy: Darkness brothers 4eva |
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| Total Votes: 21 |
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Meanwhile, if it weren't for Robert Downey Jr., Charlie Sheen would
likely be deemed 'most troubled Hollywood heir.' With little Mort making
tabloid headlines seemingly every week, Sheen was able to walk away
relatively clean from drug overdoses, Wilt Chamberlain-esque sexual
escapades and a string of horrible movies in the mid-90s. In wasn't
always so. He was a brat pack member who became Oliver Stone's pet in
two of the 1980's best flicks, Platoon and Wall Street.
But, like Murphy, Sheen seemed to squander his talent. Movies like The
Chase, Terminal Velocity and The Three Musketeers were serious road bumps on what
seemed an extremely promising career. And of course, this is the man
dumb enough to cheat on Denise Richards. But, like Murphy, Sheen has
some mighty fun and memorable characters under his belt. Because of
Sheen, everyone and their mothers knows about the rich pitching
tradition of the California Penal League. The Sheen/Berenger connection
worked wonders three years earlier in Platoon as the two
discussed philosophy while taking leisurely strolls through the marshes
of Vietnam. It's sort of like Garden State, but with
better Pho Ga takeout. And of course, he was the final recipient of the Airplane
and Naked Gun torch with his character Topper Harley in the two Hot
Shots! movies.
Winner: No misunderstanding here. If Charlie Sheen is McDonald's
and Eddie Murphy is McDowell's,
I'm going with the buns with no sesame seeds and the storytelling of
Charlie Murphy.
Judge Dredd Man Walking
Good things
Oscar wins: Penn Went to my mom’s high school: Stallone Starred
in a late 1970’s porn: Stallone Was key figure in greatest
training montage: Stallone Best
advice: Penn (People on 'ludes should not drive -- Jeff Spicoli) Parents
ran Jewish deli: Penn Training montage God: Stallone Made Michael
J. Fox’s life Hell: Penn Had
relations with Bruce Springsteen’s sister: Penn
Bad things
Trilogy? Why stop there: Stallone Sean
Hannity’s bitch: Penn A
product of the U: Stallone The Razzie Award for ‘Worst actor of the
1980s’: Stallone Stop! Or my agent will shoot me: Stallone Plays
retards all too well: Penn Married Bridgette
Nielson (look who else is in this picture): Stallone Tried
to screw Carlito Brigante: Penn Accelerated decline in looks of
Buttercup/Jenny: Penn
OK, so I admit, I'm getting lazy. It’s basically a dead-even battle. Oh,
but how did I forget?
Winner: "Stallone party of two, you're table next to the
wardrobes of From Justin to Kelly, Last Action Hero and Benny
and Joon is ready. Is this your first time at Planet
Hollywood or have you dined with us before?"
The Hunt for Red Zoolander
One taught us the ABCs. The other taught us about the JC. We're getting
off the beaten path here -- sort of -- as we compare two short, but
sweet roles of Alec Baldwin and Owen Wilson.
Aside from Steven Segal in Executive Decision, nobody has made
more of an impact in lesser screen time then Alec Baldwin did in Glengarry
Glen Ross. He taught us to "Always Be Closing" and that coffee isn't
just for anybody -- it's for closers (Now if only Ben Affleck hadn't
stolen his bit in Boiler Room).
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Poll
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Without big bro, we'd be working the fryer at Long John Silvers
| 18% | Wilsons: Owe it all to Owen |
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| 46% | How the Hell did the Wayans not advance |
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| 36% | Baldwins: Earth wind fire Alec's chest hair! |
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| Total Votes: 11 |
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Meanwhile, there are certain things in this world that will always be
cool: One strike matches, the sleeper hold, upper-deckers, day games and
Harleys. But there's nothing that can make a man feel more like Melisa
Etheridge than when his girlfriend's ex carves an altar from a single
block of wood. Unless of course, this same guy refers to Jesus Christ as
J.C.
Winner: First place gets a Cadillac El Dorado. Second place gets
steak knives. Third place. Well, third place gets stuck watching Shangai
Knights. Oh yeah, and they're fired.
Thanks for playing along and any future bloggin' suggestions are always
appreciated.
Chinese New Year's resolutions
Updated: Feb/08/2006 10:20 AM
Bet you can't remember your New Year's resolutions? Was it to stop
eating chicken fries? Maybe it was to stop gambling on prop bets. Or
were you planning on giving up the Mad
Dog? Whatever it was, forget about it. And thank your local
Chinese food delivery person. Because the masters of Orange Chicken
offer a chance for new resolutions with their turn of the calendar two
weeks ago -- the year of the Dog. People born under this Zodiac sign are
supposedly loyal and honest, yet stubborn and selfish. Sort of like Bob
Saget when the white stuff runs dry [Speaking of Danny Tanner, have you
seen his bit in the Aristocrats? Filthy goodness delivered with the
utmost sincerity]. So with the New Year just beginning, I propose some
resolutions for us all to enjoy:
Less singing in Family Guy: We all know Seth McFarlane got
a sweetheart deal when Fox came groveling back last year, but nearly one
song an episode is getting a bit much. They're rarely funny, too long
and seem to serve only one purpose -- to flaunt McFarlane's deep, dark
homosexual side. Buddy, you got American Dad and the
not-as-funny-as-expected Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story
greenlighted, don't abuse your newfound power. I'm only tough on ya
because I care.
More singing in The Simpsons: Can anyone remember the last
time the Simpsons broke into song and dance? With such a rich plethora
of characters and different voices (diversify your secondary characters
Seth, they ALL sound like you), the Simpsons are the gold standard for
animated music. I mean, everyone knows the Monorail Song, See
my Vest, Table Five and Homer's food critic song, can you
name one memorable Family Guy song aside from Wish upon a Jew, which
isn't even that funny [Buddy, don't you remember that in the episode we
found out that Optimus
Prime is a Jew!]? OK, so he has one song.
Less timeouts in basketball: If there's one thing that completely
turns me off from professional basketball, it’s the destruction of the
full-court game with under a minute to go. I'm all about suspense, but
having a timeout to draw up every play is absolutely ridiculous.
Coaches: Trust your star players. That's why you make them practice. If
you want complete control of the game, put on the shorts [ Or buy a team
like Mark
Cuban]. In the meantime, let's revert this game's direction
from the scripted TV it's become, to reality programming.
More creative ways to end NBA games: Let's learn from hockey's
innovation. Nothing is more exciting than one-on-one competition to
decide a game. So why not come up with some other interesting ways to
end NBA contests. How about a game of knockout with three players from
each team? A half-court shot contest? A 25-point basket? [OK Dan
Cortese, let Rock 'n' Jock rest peacefully.]. A H-O-R-S-E
competition from anywhere on the court? The NBA always talks about their
star system, so why not let the stars battle it out in an individual
competition? There's always the bare-handed, brick-breaking
competition ...
Less Chuck Norris love: OK, I'll be the first to admit, I've
fueled this Chuck Norris fire as much as anybody. But the trajectory on
Chuck Norris humor is nearing its peak or do I dare say, beginning its
downward descent. Walker's
been off the air for years now, he hasn't been in a movie of note in a
decade and he's actually putting together a pretty kick-ass league of
misfits that takes on punks from other countries. And lastly, my ears
perk up when I hear Chuck's voice talk about the merits of a TotalGym,
but my eyes stay focused as Christie Brinkley works on the machine. In
fact, the other day, I even saw my first TotalGym commercial without
Chuck on board. Has he already been pushed out? Was there a coup d'etat
at TG headquarters? Regardless, let's put this pony of a joke out to
stud and shift dojos to another 80's legend. And speaking of that ...
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Poll
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Is the Chuck Norris fad coming to an end?
| 29% | Yes: It's over he knows about the facts |
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| 59% | Chuck Norris is immune to any poll results |
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| 12% | No: Chuck Norris doesn't recognize fads only trends |
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| Total Votes: 17 |
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More William Zabka love: In the 1980's, only Jack Morris,
Lawrence Taylor and Jean-Claude
Van Damme struck more fear into opposition's minds than
William Zabka. His trifecta of 1980's bullies include Johnny
Lawrence in Karate Kid, Chas in Back to School
and my personal favorite, Greg Tolan in Just One of the Guys.
Whether it was chasing Danny LaRusso on a dirt bike, making Jason Melon
clean his Speedo or complimenting Rick Morehouse's tuxedo, Zabka created
a lasting image of the quintessential bully that will undoubtedly
surface when my kids start asking me for 'extra' lunch money.
Less Big Momma's House 2: Seriously, what questions were
left unresolved at the conclusion of the Big Momma's House? Or was this
a crime only mama could solve? You're telling me the boys and girls on CSI,
at CTU and in the Mystery Machine couldn't have solved whatever crime is
at the heart of BMH2? Somehow this movie topped the box office its
opening week and finished second last week. There has to be something,
anything, better to do with your time than go see Martin
Lawrence's latest turd. Learn oragami, hang out with old
people, test-lay coffins, eat poisonous blowfish. Anyhing! In a future
blog, I'll be breaking down the top 'money whores' of all time and this
bad boy is my ticket to glory. Suggestions welcome.
More Shelton's Mama: I was wondering when the WWE was going to
get back into playing the race card. I took some years off [It was about
all of the new millennium, pal], but it's good to see that the WWE
doesn't still doesn't respect the on going civil struggles of the black
community. Sure, this isn't jaw dropping to the standards of Virgil and
the Million Dollar Man (The work of Wayne
Brady aside, I thought Virgil's defeat of Ted Dibiase in the
Million Dollar Championship was one of the Civil Rights movement's most
progressive steps). However, there's something dirty about having a 6-2,
245-pound former tag-team champ getting bossed around by his obese
mamma. Speaking of that, where is my Campbell's
chunky soup?
Round two of the "Battle of the Brothers" will continue after these
messages, or next week.
The battle to end all lesser-halves
Updated: Jan/30/2006 10:48 AM
This past week Hollywood lost a member of one of its most revered
fraternities -- coattail riding brothers.
Chris Penn, brother of Jeff Spicoli, hit the bucket at the age of 40,
casting a dark shadow on all the no-talent hacks getting free lunches
courtesy of their genetic better. Chris, five years
Sean’s junior never saw his name atop the marquee, never tasted
Hollywood’s finest arm candy and was never respected well-enough to have
his political two cents dissected on FoxNews.
But Chris, and everyone in Hollywood devoid of fatherly love, is the
backbone of the Hollywood system. Without the Chris’s leaching off their
brothers, we wouldn’t have some of our best character actors. We
wouldn’t have people for young agents to practice their skills on. We
wouldn’t have the wonderful assortment of made-for-TV movies we’re
accustomed too and we wouldn’t have a full guest list at the Playboy
Mansion. Those are all things I’m not willing to say goodbye too. I mean
did we lose a war or something?
But Chris’s passing has me thinking. With so many no-talent hacks
getting laid and paid because of their bros, how does Nice Guy Eddie
Cabot stack up to some of his contemporaries?
I’ve dug up some of the more recognizable genetic tandems in recent
Hollywood history to create the ultimate battlefield of brotherly love.
Apparently those wacky Nantucket pilots Brian and Joe Hackett aren’t
brothers in real life. What’s next Larry and Balki aren’t really cousins?
The tournament is divided into two rounds. Solo battles and clan
battles. And all contestants were aked to fill out comment cards to help
provide you with vital information.
Winners will be determined by you the voters (scroll down to the
message board to vote and make your case) and round 2 will take place
next week:
One-on-one tournament:
Think my calves would look good in Calvins:
Kevin Dillon I know I've seen you in: Entourage No
kidding, you were in: The Rescue Bro helped me get the role
in: Platoon I killed my agent after: Viking Quest ["I've
been working steady for the past twelve years, minus the last three."] Kay's
take: After looking like there was no escape from anonymity, K-Dill is
back, stealing all the jokes in Entourage.
VS
Donnie Wahlberg I know I’ve seen you in: New Kids on
the Block No kidding, you were in: The Sixth Sense [You
mean to tell me the kid can’t really see dead people?] Bro
helped me get the role in: Band of Brothers I killed my agent
after: He wasn’t invited into the Funky Bunch Kay's take: With
Mark's career sputtering in the new millennium, the door is open for
Donnie dark horse.
Dad doesn't love us nearly as much:
Chris Penn I know I've seen you in: Reservoir Dogs No
kidding, you were in: Best of the Best [Best actor I ever worked
with -- Phillip Rhee -- hands down] Bro helped me get the role in: Footloose I
killed my agent after: Corky Romano Kay's take: His death in
the beginning of Best of the Best II remains one of my
harder-to-shake childhood memories.
VS
Casey Affleck I know I've seen you in: Ocean's 11 No
kidding, you were in: Race the Sun Bro helped me get the role
in: Good Will Hunting [They never asked me if I like apples.
Apples are yummy.] I killed my agent after: Ocean’s 12 Kay's
take: Gaining in the 'better Affleck' race simply by staying quiet.
Both our brothers are dead -- Fred's not, you say:
Ben Savage I know I've seen you in: Boy Meets World No
kidding, you were in: Party of Five Bro helped me get the role
in: Little Monsters [Howie Mandell still puts Saran wrap
on my toilet seat.] I killed my agent after: Fred got the role in the Princess
Bride Kay's take: Unlike big bro, the curse of Howie Mandell is
strong on this one.
VS
Jim Belushi I know I've seen you in: Mr. Destiny No
kidding, you were in: Taking Care of Business Bro helped me
get the role in: Trading Places [They tried to put me in a
gorilla suit but I said good-day to that my friend. Jimmy’s all ape my
friend. Ditch the suit.]. I killed my agent after: A Bears loss in
the mid-90’s Kay's take: Can't even win the best 'cop/dog
movie' award, losing to Turner and Hooch.
Our bros did lots of drugs:
Charlie Murphy I know I've seen you in: Chapelle’s Show No
kidding, you were in: CB4 Bro helped me get the role in: Mo
Better Blues I killed my agent after: Rick James introduced his
palm to my face [Before I killed him, I served him pancakes.]. Kay's
take: Quoted almost as much as Frank the Tank and Napolean Dynamite
combined.
VS
Robert Carradine I know I’ve seen you in: Revenge of
the Nerds [Ted McGinley's really a nice guy once you get to know him] No
kidding, you were in: The Lizzy McGuire Movie Bro helped get
the role in: Cannonball! I killed my agent after: Revenge
of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love Kay's take: "We got Poindexter on
the violin, and Lewis and Gilbert will be joining. We got Booger Presley
on the mean guitar and a rap by little ol' me Lamar. We got Takashi
beating on his gong, the boys and the MU's are clapping along."
Battle for all the calzones:
Frank Stallone I know I've seen you in: Rocky I No
kidding, you were in: Walker Texas Ranger [Mr. Norris tried to
sell me a TotalGym, I said Frank Stallone doesn’t need no TotalGym.
Frank Stallone already has friend named Jimmy.] Bro helped me get the
role in: Everything I've ever done I killed my agent after: I have an
agent? Kay's take: Proves once and for all that steroid use is
genetic.
VS
Joey Travolta I know I’ve seen you in: Beverly Hills
Cop III No kidding, you were in: the director’s chair for the
ultimate trifecta [I”ve directed movies that star: Shannon Tweed, Gary
Busey and C. Thomas Howell]. Bro helped me get the role in: You must
mean the role I helped little Johnny get I killed my agent after:
When he called my house asking for Vinnie Barbarino Kay's take: Few
directors can tame the beast inside (blogosphere fave) C. Thomas Howell
-- Travolta wasn't one of them.
Isn't Paul Reiser in your bro's show:
Chris Masterson I know I’ve seen you in: Malcolm in
the Middle [Ever wonder why Malcom gets to be in the middle? I mean
there were four of us when the show started, it could just have easily
been Reese.] No kidding, you were in: Scary Movie 2 Bro
helped get the role in: My Best Friend’s Wedding I
killed my agent after: He put me on a show chock-full of dudes Kay's
take: When your father figure is Tommy Chong, you know things are
looking hazy.
VS
Emilio Estevez I know I've seen you in: Young Guns [If
only Billy the Kid would have made me famous] No kidding, you were
in: Repo Man Bro helped me get the role in: The Outsiders I
killed my agent after: He wouldn’t allow me to change my name to Gordon. Kay's
take: He taught us all that: "There are several sacred things in this
world that you don't ever mess with. One of them happens to be
another man's fries. Now, you remember that, and you will live a long
and healthy life."
Survivor Series Tournament:
Whoa:
The Baldwins I know I’ve seen you in: Backdraft, Usual
Suspects, Alec and Kim’s wedding movie No kidding, you were
in: The Squid and the Whale, Bio Dome, Alec’s car -- once Bro
helped me get the role in: Flatliners, Threesome, Alec
says I’m too fat I killed my agent after: Fair Game, Flinstone’s
Viva Las Vegas, Alec won’t let me talk to Mr. Rosenberg Kay's
take: You know what the worst thing about being a Baldwin is ...
VS.
The Lawrences I know I’ve seen you two in: Boy Meets
World No kidding, you two were in: Mrs Doubtfire [Quiet
Adam] Bro helped us get roles in: Blossom We killed our
agent after: He published those pictures of us with Jenna Von Oy Kay's
take: Arguably spent more time on the cover of Tigerland than in front
of a camera ... Whoa!
Homey don't like the Frat pack:
The Wayans I know I’ve seen you in: Last Boy Scout,
White Chicks, Scary Movie[s] No kidding, you were in: The
Great White Hype, Requiem for a Dream, Don’t be a Menace
to South Central while Drinking your Juice in the Hood Bro helped
me get a role in: In Living Color, In Living Color, In
Living Color I killed my agent after: Blankman, Senseless,
he made me work with Kim Kay's take: Cassevettes, Fondas, Barrymores,
Wayans ...
VS
The Wilsons I know I've seen you in: Old School, Zoolander
[I’m credited as Hansel’s corner guy. My name is Andrew by the way.] No
kidding, you were in: Every chick flick in the past five years,
everything my brothers do Bro helped me get the role in: Bottle
Rocket, read above I killed my agent after: Blue Streak [Quick,
name three Martin Lawrence movies where he’s not playing a cop or a
robber …], he said I am so hot right now Kay's take:
Never a paycheck the Wilson's could refuse.
Post of the week:
Several things about our boy CT [C. Thomas Howell]: 1. He sometimes
goes by the name CT 2. He was named the California Junior Rodeo
Association's all around junior boys champion for 1980 and '81. 3. He
was in the movie Soul Man, which was always on Comedy Central
when we were in college. In case you don't remember, he played a guy
that pretended to be black (using shoe polish I think) so that he could
get a minority scholarship to Harvard. Best CT Howell movie ever. -- Wagemonkey
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