A bit of a recap, a bit of a preview
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It's been a good week in Powell Land.
The Readers' Choice Awards started off nicely. In the first week we've already received more than 1,200 nominations, and that's just counting the online votes. We also have a large stack of paper ballots that need to be counted.
So get your votes in quickly -- this thing is growing faster than my bald spot.
In a more personal matter, the "Powell Time Awards" also got some good feedback, with 16 entries. I was shooting for double digits and I got there.
In doing so, I learned some interesting things about the people who voted.
One voter selected "Twins" as Arnold Schwarzenegger's worst movie "simply because 'Kindergarten Cop' didn't make the list."
What?!? That's blasphemy.
"Kindergarten Cop" is one of Arnold's finest moments. He stops a drug dealer with a ponytail, gets a hot mom to like him and saves a bunch of kids from danger.
Well done, Arnold. Well done.
Another voter said she's never eaten a bratwurst before. Shouldn't there be a law against that sort of thing?
I propose a new law (we'll call it the "Brat Bill") that states you should need to eat at least one bratwurst before you turn 16 or else you can't get your drivers license. We can't have non-brat eaters clogging our streets.
My sister refused to vote for me as sexiest man for logical reasons, but she was nice enough to realize my strongest competition was going to come from Ross Perot and those big, sexy ears, so she put in a vote for Art Modell just to be nice.
So that explains why Art Modell got one vote.
My parents did not vote, which is a little disappointing because I've always been curious whether my dad would rather be a cowboy or a samurai (I know he'd never want to be a pirate, so I'm eliminating that option for him). Now I might have to ask him face to face, which could make for an awkward conversation.
I also was pretty amazed with the showing Tony Danza put up. He ended tied for first with Brad Pitt -- both of them finishing ahead of Johnny Depp -- in the category of "Who would you most like to take out to dinner?"
Plenty of Danza's votes came from women. Apparently a lot of people are ready for "A brand new life ... a brand new life ... a brand new life around the bend." (Those words probably don't mean much unless you're a big fan of "Who's the Boss?" like I am. That Alyssa Milano has always been foxy).
The full results will be posted below, but not before I give a short preview of next week's column. I'm doing this because it involves some audience participation.
No, no, I'm not pleading for more e-mails (though they're always welcome) -- I'm simply asking you to watch a few episodes of "Walker, Texas Ranger." Because that's what I'll be doing this week.
I've seen a few clips of the show on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" every now and then, and I've caught the occasional episode when I've had time. But recently I've had some friends telling me how incredibly hilarious the show is (my friend Brent Saneholtz said he watched "the better part of seven episodes" on Monday). I feel like I need to see more to get the full experience.
It's on the USA Network every weekday morning from 9 a.m.-noon, and it's also on the Hallmark Channel at night.
I'll be using the wonderful power of DVR to tape a plethora of episodes this week, so hopefully I'll have plenty to talk about next Wednesday.
I encourage you to watch as well so you'll know exactly what I'm talking about when you read next week's column.
I'm real excited about the first episodes I taped. It's a two-part series titled "Wedding Bells."
Here's the description I got from my digital cable guide -- "Walker's bachelor retreat turns deadly when the Rangers are pursued by a bloodthirsty bear."
I bought the popcorn tonight -- I can't wait.
POLL RESULTS
(Total votes in parentheses -- not everyone voted in every category)
1. Best sitcom character?
Bill Cosby (9); Alf (6); Al Bundy (1)
2. Which would you rather be?
Samurai (9); Pirate (4); Cowboy (3)
3. Which would you rather have as a pet?
Turtle (10); Rabbit (5); Chicken (1)
4. Sexiest Man?
Justin Powell (10); Ross Perot (4); Art Modell (1)
5. Sexiest Woman?
Barbara Walters (12); Rosie O'Donnell (1); Roseanne Barr (0);
6. Who would you rather take on a dinner date?
Jessica Simpson (8); Britney Spears (3); Paris Hilton (2)
7. Who, from this selection, would you rather take on a dinner date?
Tony Danza (4); Brad Pitt (4); Johnny Depp (3)
8. Favorite condiment?
Ketchup (7); Mustard (6); Mayonnaise (2); Write-in vote for BBQ sauce (1)
9. Is it OK to put ketchup on a bratwurst?
Yes (11); No (3); Write-in vote for BBQ sauce ... again (1)
10. Worst way to die?
Drowning (9); Getting eaten by a lion (4); Suffocation (3)
11. Best roller coaster at Cedar Point?
Millenium Force (8); Raptor (4); Gemini (2)
12. Worst Arnold Schwarzenegger movie?
"Batman and Robin" (6); "Jingle All the Way" (6); "Twins" (2)
13. Best drinking game?
Flip Cup (6); Beer Pong (6); I Never (2)
14. Best president whose last name begins with an "M"?
Madison (8); McKinley (6); Monroe (2)
15. Thoughts on this column?
Partial waste of time (11); Write-in votes saying it was fun (3); Complete waste of time (1); I don't know, I didn't read it (1)
POWELL'S PICKS
ï GO TO THE SANDUSKY-FINDLAY BOYS BASKETBALL GAME, 7:30ish p.m., Jan. 19, Sandusky High School.
The Streaks are pretty good. Kelsey Williams almost hit 50 in a game last weekend. And Findlay is also good -- this should be a nice game.
ï HIT UP THE NERVOUS WRECK SHOW, 10 p.m. Jan. 20, Cabana Jacks, Sandusky.
I'm not a huge fan of '80s hair metal bands, but these guys sound interesting.
ï GO SEE "THE HITCHER," which opens nationwide Jan. 19.
This movie doesn't actually look that good, so I'm not sure why I'm suggesting it. Let's blame it on a bad lunch (I had mac and cheese and a banana -- too much yellow).
ï EAT AT PANERA BREAD, Perkins Township.
I like Panera Bread because they have a big stack of Funcoast.com magazines on a table near the door. And they also have a good Asiago Roast Beef sandwich.
And if you're willing to drive a little ...
ï HIT UP THE MONSTER NATIONALS, 1 and 8 p.m., Jan. 20, Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University.
Gigantic trucks crushing cars. And monsters. That's quite a combo.
Another update -- still no word from Karen Holbrook. You think it's possible she's still on vacation? E-mail me at editor@funcoast.com
