Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

With the World Series already in its third game, let's take a look at the performers slated to perform the National Anthem. 

Game 1: Giants win 8-3

Singer: American Idol's Phillip Phillips

Photo Credit: Showbiz.com

Game 2: Giants win 2-0 

Singer: Glee's Matthew Morrison 

Photo Credit: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

Game 3: Oct. 27 at 8:00 PM ET

Singer: New Girl's Zooey Deschanel

Photo Credit: Instyle.com

Game 4: Oct. 28 at 8:00 PM ET

Singer: X Factor's Demi Lovato

Photo Credit: Seventeen.com

Game 5: Oct. 29 at 8:00 PM ET

Singer: Superstar Aretha Franklin 

Photo Credit: PBS.org

Overall, I think the performers chosen are definitely a younger crowd, with the exception of Franklin. I think they'll bring a nice variety to the World Series this year. I give them one happy Strahan.

Tebow Trademarks 'Tebowing'

Photo Credit: Getty Images

It set the world abuzz. 

Mentions of 'Tebowing' 'praying' is happening everywhere. Don't believe me? Just check out Tebowing.com. 

After New York quarterback/running back/special punt protector Tim Tebow started 'Tebowing' - it's where you kneel down on one knee and place your head down - Panthers QB Cameron Newton wanted to one up his former Florida Gators teammate and come up with his own celebration.

Photo Credit: Al.com

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers? Oh he has one too. His infamous celebration belt. 

Photo Credit: NFL.com

Rookie Redskins QB Robert Griffin III is having a spectacular year and oh guess what, came up with 'Griffining'. 

However, unlike all these quarterbacks, Tebow is putting a trademark on his buzz-worthy on-field celebration.

Photo Credit: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images

"I knew that this stuff that had been talked about, but I didn't know everything had gone through," Tebow said in a statement Friday. "I knew it was something that was cool for me in the past; but it's not something I do as Tebowing. It's something I do that's prayer for me and it got hyped as Tebowing. I think one, more to control how it's used as well. Make sure it's used in the right way."

It seems Tebow's marketing team is seeing something us fans seemingly don't. While I was a little intrigued why 'Tebowing' is now being trademarked to the quarterback himself, it does make sense. 

There's been a flood of 'Tebowing'-related merchandise, from T-shirts to any other sort of accessories. Tebow's representatives have even sent filed patent requests to Tebowing.com and TebowingGear.com to stop their websites. 

The whole point of this trademark, according to Tebow, is to not make money off 'Tebowing', but rather to prevent others from profiting off his good name. 

Now if I were Tebow, I would probably do the same thing. Thus, Tebow warrants one supportive Strahan.

Boxers or Briefs?

Photo Credit: Donna Svennevik, Getty Images

You know you're watching "Live! With Kelly and Michael" when Michelle Obama is hit with the "boxers or briefs?" question.

New co-host Michael Strahan is the one responsible for asking a question I'm sure few many Americans would want to know. 

You know, questions pertinent about the country, given the impending election. 

"I always get these questions," Strahan complained. "Oh boy, please forgive me. For the president, do you prefer boxers or briefs?

Really? 

"Oh," the first lady responded. "None of the above."

That certainly drubbed up the cheers and wild applause from the studio audience. 

"No, I'm kidding," she finally added.

The first lady also talked about pampering the White House dog, Bo, during his fourth birthday party--this party featured "five dogs on the South Lawn with doggy treats, and snacks"--and also told Kelly she literally carries nothing in her purse. She also said her guilty pleasure were french fries, and that she does "love a little Real Housewives every now and then."

But don't worry everyone, there was some meat to this interview. 

When asked about this year's presidential debates, Obama "compared it to the Olympic parents watching their kids on that balance beam." 

It's nice to see the first lady bring her fun side to morning television. For being a good sport, I'm sure Strahan will deem himself one happy guy!

But as for the lightening round of questions being fired at the first lady, I'm unimpressed. That's all you guys could come up with? McKayla says "C'mon man!"

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom's New Joy

Photo Credit: Lighthouse Beauty

The Kardashian-Odom duo have done it again. 

Just last year, starlet Khloe Kardashian and LA Clippers' Lamar Odom launched their 'Unbreakable' bond with their debut unisex fragrance.

This year, the couple is feeling a new sense of joy and have dedicated their new holiday scent 'Unbreakable Joy' to men and women.

The fragrance has notes of jasmine, cedar, musk, fresh spices, champagne, and jasmine -- and they're all the ingredients the duo surrounds themselves with during the holiday season.

In a release, Khloe says: "The holiday season is all about surrounding yourself with the ones you adore, and we want to create a fragrance that really captures that overpowering joy you feel during this wonderful time."

The couple's new fragrance will come in a red glass bottle, and will be available online for a limited time at perfumania.com.

Even though I was skeptical of the first Kadashian-Odom perfume, when I tried it, I was certainly surprised. Since I'm a big fan of the holidays, and the the Odoms have clearly won me over with the packaging, I'm giving their second fragrance a happy Strahan!

Lance Armstrong Steps Down as Chair of Livestrong

The former cyclist says he is stepping down so the organization can focus on its mission instead of his problems

Lance Armstrong has stepped down as chairman of Livestrong, a charity he created to support cancer research, as fallout from the doping scandal that has been surrounding him his whole career.

Armstrong said in a statement: "This organization, its mission and its supporters are incredibly dear to my heart. Today therefore, to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship."

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency published reports last week detailing allegations of widespread doping between Armstrong and many of his teams during his whirlwind while winning seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005.

The documents show exactly why the USADA has banned the once renowned athlete from cycling for life and ordered 14 years of his career results erased, including his seven Tour victories. These documents relied on the testimony of 26 witnesses, 11 of which were Armstrong's former teammates.

It was noted just last week, that following the USADA stripping Armstrong of his seven titles, donations to his Livestrong Foundation increased. He also noted that his organization's resources and research has benefitted roughly 2.5 million people affected by cancer.

While Armstrong was not paid a salary while he was the chairman of Livestrong, he will remain on its 15-member board. 

Jeff Garvey, Livestrong's vice chairman, will be taking over Armstrong's duties.

Beyonce Set to Perform During Super Bowl Halftime

Photo Credit: Tumblr/iam.beyonce.com

All the single ladies... get excited! 

Superstar Beyonce is set to perform during this year's Super Bowl XLVII halftime show on Feb. 3, 2013, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

This will be the first halftime Super Bowl show performance for Beyonce. The 31-year-old did previously sing the national anthem at the 2004 Super Bowl in her hometown of Houston.

The singer will join the ranks of other high-profile performers like the Black Eyed Peas, The Who, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, and Janet Jackson as halftime entertainment.

Madonna performed during halftime in this year's Super Bowl in February, which also featured guests like CeeLo Green, Nicki Minaj, and others. 

Beyonce's potential guests have not been determined yet, but her potential collaborations could include husband Jay-Z, or her Destiny's Child bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland.

With Beyonce signing up as halftime entertainment for the upcoming Super Bowl, I deem two super duper happy Strahans! Hopefully you're excited as I am to see Queen B/Sasha Fierce bring down the house this coming February!

Justin Bieber: New Face of Adidas

Is this really Justin Bieber or has Willy Wonka taken over? 

Bieber has recently signed on to be the new spokesman for Adidas' NEO Label.

This seems eerily similar to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (you know, the one where master chocolateur Wonka hides golden tickets inside his chocolate bars and any child who finds said ticket will get a private tour of his chocolate factory). 

Except, let's forward to modern day. 

Bieber, who has built himself a nice business empire, tweeted out: "Big News! I'm now working with @adidasNEOlabel. Find my gold shoes online and u could bring them to me in person!!"

But more specifically, Bieber will be giving his fans a chance online to find the gold sneakers Adidas made for him to wear on his tour. For the next five weeks, Beliebers will have the chance to find a picture of Justin's shoes hidden online after they're given a special code. Then, Adidas and Bieber will drop clues online as to where to find them. Once a fan finds his gold sneakers, the fan has to go to the Adidas NEO Facebook page and enter the code. After the five weeks is up, two lucky fans will win an all-expenses-paid trip to Miami to meet Bieber himself. 

See, I told you this reminded me of Willy Wonka. 

So swag.

While I would've given Justin one unimpressed McKayla for capitalizing off Wonka, I don't want to receive any threats from Belieber fans... so I guess one reluctantly happy Strahan will do.

Where's Murray?

Photo Credit: Tumblr.com

Bill Murray has been everywhere these days. The movie star has been sighted in Austin, TX, Charleston, SC, and Scotland the past couple of months. His constant traveling has even led to a website created in his honor. But these days, where exactly is Bill Murray?

Well, the actor recently popped up in New York. No, he wasn't walking about Times Square or singing karaoke... he was spotted crashing a kickball game on Roosevelt Island.

News surfaced of Murray's appearance when CollegeHumor's Marina Cockenberg posted this photo on her personal tumblr.

Her friend, Chris DiLella said: 

"He was bouncing the ball... [then] ran over to second base. Played for a bit... gave us all high-fives and let us post with him in the picture." 

Later on, Murray even ran over to one of the kickball players' mothers and picked her up, after she had taken the photo.

Murray later left with three young boys whom the kickballers assumed were Murray's three sons.

Where exactly with the actor pop up next? I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Until then, Murray's fun-loving personality and ability to randomly pop all over the world warrants one impressed Strahan.

Alex Karras To Be Remembered

Photo Credit: IMDB.com

He was one of the all-time greats. Former NFL player and successful Webster actor Alex Karras died yesterday of kidney failure in his Los Angeles home. He was 77. 

Karras was considered one of the original stars to crossover from the sports world to the entertainment world.

This past Monday, it was reported that Karras was near death after suffering from another bout of kidney failure. This news prompted his former team, the Detroit Lions, to pay him a tribute.

"Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex," Lions president Tom Lewand said in a statement Monday.

Karras's success on the field started during his early days playing football for the University of Iowa. He was a football stand-out in Iowa City, which then launched him into his career as a Pro Bowl linebacker for the Lions from 1958-1970. Following his football days, Karras went on to join the Monday Night Football broadcast team for three short seasons, from 1974-1976.

It was his next career move that would define his already stellar career.

After his stint with the Monday Night Football crew, Karras starred as the man-beast named Mongo in the Western movie Blazing Saddles.

Nine years later, he along with real-life wife Susan Clark, looked after child-star Emmanuel Lewis in the widely popular family sitcom Webster. 

Karras' other on-screen credits include Victor Victoria, Against All Odds, and Porky's.

Even though he was much revered in the acting world, people remember him today as one of the best defensive NFL stars to ever play the game.

He is survived by his wife Susan and his six children.

Liam Neeson and Sports Do Not Mix

He's played characters like Zeus, a Jedi Master, Oskar Schindler, and Ra's Al Ghul, plus he has a very particular set of skills, skills he has acquired over time... that unfortunately do not concern sports.

Liam Neeson recently appeared on ESPN's SportsCenter to promote his film Taken 2. Why SportsCenter? Your guess is as  good as mine.

What's funny is the way Mike Hill introduces the 60-year-old, calling him an "Oscar nominated actor and sports fan." 

I'm pretty sure Neeson is a sports fan, just not an American Football sports fan.

Now when asked by Hill to talk about the controversial 49ers-Jets game Neeson had previously attended, the action star responded: "Ok, we better start again. Are we live?"

When Hill says they are live, Neeson says: "Oh s--t". 

From them on, the interview takes quite an uncomfortable, awkward turn as Neeson bumbles on national television about his ineptness with understanding NFL games, and ends up praising the athletes' athleticism. 

Neeson's hilarious exchange on SportsCenter should get one unimpressed McKayla, but since he can survive out in the cold with wolves and then rescue his family from abductors, that deserves one I'll-look-over-your-ineptness-of-sports-this-one-time Strahan.

Is GQ Cursed?* 

(*=For NFL Quarterbacks only)

It seems there's a new epidemic amongst the NFL's top quarterbacks. 

It's supposedly taken down such legends as New England Patriots QB Tom Brady, upstarts like the Carolina Panthers' Cameron Newton and the New York Jets' two headed monster of Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. 

All these quarterbacks seem to have one thing in common: good looks and being GQ cover models.

Let's rewind to Feb. 6, 2005 as confetti rained down in Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, FL. The New England Patriots had just won Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles. As everyone was all smiles, wide receiver Deion Branch was named the Super Bowl's MVP. However, the unsung hero for the Patriots was a young Brady who had just won his third championship in four years... a feat so great that well, combined with his handsome looks, garnered him another honor later that year: the cover of GQ Magazine. 

Tom Brady, Photo Credit: GQ

Ever since 2006, Brady's Patriots have not won a Super Bowl. They did the reach the Super Bowl twice since then (2008, 2012) but have lost to the New York Giants both times.

Forget the Madden curse, or even the Sports Illustrated curse.

Is this really the work of the GQ curse? 

Just look at Mark Sanchez's career. 

Mark Sanchez, Photo Credit: GQ

The rookie quarterback for the Jets elevated the team's play in 2009 and 2010. He performed so well that of course, GQ had to snag him for its September 2011 cover. Ever since then, the Jets have been slowly fading from the national spotlight.

Enter his potential successor: God Tim Tebow.

Tim Tebow, Photo Credit: GQ

Tebow's GQ cover this year, combined with his steady popularity amongst fans, led many to believe his presence in New York would bring great success to the franchise. However, the Jets have started the season (2-2).  But, don't let that number fool you. This Jets team is definitely not the same as the team that almost reached the Super Bowl two years back. Not even Tebow, who has been relegated to bench duty, has helped this team.

And then there's Cameron Newton.

Cameron Newton, Photo Credit: GQ

Following a debut season (2011) where he completed 60 percent of his passes and led the Panthers to six wins opposed to two wins the team had in 2010, Cam was expected to have a breakout in his sophomore year in the league.

But you see, he too had graced the coveted cover of Gentlemen's Quarterly this year.

Thus, the Panthers starting off (1-4) this year and getting blown out by the New York Giants (36-7) on the nation's biggest stage in Week 3. 

But do we actually believe all four highly touted quarterbacks' reverse in play was due to being on the cover of GQ? Probably not. It's probably due to the increasing parity in the NFL and the fact that all these QBs do not have the supporting cast they once had. 

While I'm sure not every other handsome NFL quarterback (see Troy Aikman) floundered after being featured on the cover, it is still strangely coincidental that all four quarterbacks have struggled early on this season.

The GQ curse though? I give it one unimpressed McKayla.