Jack Wagner, best known for roles on General Hospital and Melrose Place and the Billboard #1 hit "All I Need", won his second American Century Investments Celebrity Golf Tournament at Lake Tahoe on Sunday. Wagner held off Dallas Cowboy QB Tony Romo, who has now finished second three years in a row. Wagner, who led from start to finish, also won in 2006.
To celebrate his win, our Sunday Night Song will be Wagner's 1985 #1 hit, All I Need! Good job Frisco!
ABC announced this week the Katie Couric had been hired to do an afternoon talk show which is tentatively scheduled to take the time slot currently occupied by long running soap opera General Hospital, which puts into question what will become of the residents of Port Charles.
Couric, who left he post as host of the CBS Evening News with nothing short of abysmal ratings, is certain to bomb in this new venture. To think ABC would sunset GH for Couric would call into question sound thinking at ABC/Disney and cause one to consider a sell rating on Disney stock (DIS:NYSE). As a longtime shareholder, I plan to make my voice heard at the next shareholders meeting.
On the backdrop of this unwelcome news, it was Rick Springfield performing live this evening in downtown Orlando. In honor of Dr. Noah Drake, and in support of General Hospital, the Sunday Night Song tonight is Rick Springfield with Don't Talk To Strangers!
On Friday, April 29, 2011, Prince William will marry Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in a wedding sure to be watched by millions around the globe.
The only Royals I am into play hardball in Kansas City, but I do recognize the impact of this event. Certainly, from what I can tell, both Prince William and Miss Middleton seem to carry themselves well and I do wish them all the best.
Without a doubt, this is the biggest Royal deal since Prince Charles married the former Miss Diana Spencer in July of 1981. I thought highly of Princess Di, and her tragic death was most unfortunate. I suspect she would be proud of William.
I do recall the wedding of Miss Diana Spencer and Prince Charles in 1981, but it was not the wedding event of the year.
That was the wedding of another Spencer, one Lucas Lorenzo Spencer, as he married Laura Webber Baldwin on November 16, 1981 in Port Charles, New York. Some 30 million daytime viewers took in the wedding of Luke and Laura on ABC's General Hospital. I remember it well, with Robert Scorpio standing tall as Luke's best man and Elizabeth Taylor in attendance.
Recently, ABC has announced plans to cancel two running soaps in All My Children and One Life To Live. Although AMC ran against NBC's very popular Days of Our Lives, it was well done and star Susan Lucci is a household name. OLTL seemed to never materialize as a top notch soap, but hung on for decades airing between AMC and GH. General Hospital and Days of Our Lives are still running strong, but many long running soap operas have been gone to sunset.
Given the demise of these long running programs, while looking back this weekend a very significant television event against the backdrop of a royal wedding, it is amazing to contemplate the demise of most all of the soaps. The soap opera, diminishing in its gallantry in recent years, remains a historically interesting and valuable part of our entertainment culture, as does the goings on of the royal family in Great Britain.
With the Seminoles beat down of Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Chik-fil-a Bowl concluded, it was time for New Years Eve festivities. I tuned into FOX News coverage of New Years Eve from Times Square in New York City, hosted by Bill Hemmer and Megyn Kelly, with the hottest roving reporters you ever saw in Ainsley Earhart and Kimberly Guilfoyle.
I was certainly surprised to see among the musical artists ringing in the New Year was Rick Springfield. Springfield, perhaps better known for his time on ABC's General Hospital as Dr. Noah Drake, has as a musical artist a well known hit, Jessie's Girl, which he performed. Jessie's Girl is also recognized as the top karaoke song across the world.
Springfield is not the only person to springboard from General Hospital to musical stardom, but he is the first. After decades on the run, Dr. Noah recently returned to Port Charles for a two year stint, teaming up with the gorgeous Finola Hughes.
Happy New Year from BAHL's Blog, and Dr. Noah. Here is this weeks Sunday Night Song: Springfield and Jessie's Girl:
As I approached my 500th blog entry, I asked some of the readership for a question or two to celebrate the occasion. Then, I siphoned through all the media requests for interviews and selected an old friend, Tiffany Hill Donely, of WLPC ABC-TV of Port Charles, NY to present me with five questions selected from the readership.
Here we go!
1. Please name three leaders of today that you see pulling our asses out of the mess we're in?
I found the first two real easy.
First, I think Congressman Paul Ryan (R:WI) is someone who has a real grasp of the economic status we find ourselves in, and I feel this is a critical attribute moving forward. Rather than just criticizing the administration, with his Roadmap for America, Ryan has presented an effective plan to redirect our once great country in a pro growth free market path.
New Jersey is a complete mess, until Chris Christie was recently elected Governor. Christie is a free market capitalist and is implementing policies that are certain to get New Jersey back to competitive footing. Christie recognizes the heavy burden that entitlements bear on economies and he is set to use Reagan principles to right the ship. And he does not care if you don't like it!
My third choice is former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Although I quite like her, and I think more people support her than you may think, she may be too polarizing to take the Presidency. That being said, she is a rock star and has dictated policy from posting on her Facebook page. Can you imagine? Palin can continue in this role supporting policy and candidates that fit the "tea party" principles that most conservatives yearn for and speaking out on issues of importance during speaking engagements. I have met her personally, have seen her speak live and I warn you to underestimate her at your own peril.
And a special nod to Glenn Beck, whose foresight and courage to walk the plank alerting the American citizenry of the progressives aggressive march make him an American Hero in my mind.
2. Regarding the stock market, I may sell about 25% of everything of my positions and ride this out on the sidelines. What say you?
For sure, we will revisit the "flash crash" levels. Unfortunately, I think we will take another 15% or so down from there at a minimum. Companies have been beating earnings estimates that were revised down so deeply it makes them look better than they actually are. While I do think the economy is improving slightly, the housing crisis is not over, the unemployment rate under the policies being implemented will remain elevated for some time and the debt levels are unsustainable.
The environment is against small business, who creates jobs and innovates. This will put a brake on the recovery effort, as will governmental intervention efforts like health care, financial reform and cap and trade, which would be horrendous to small business.
Once it seems baked in the cake Obama is finished, a major move higher will take place. Until then, while their are individual opportunities which require tight supervision, cash is king!
3. You recently responded in the comment section to a Facebook entry by Eric Bolling of FOX Business as he discussed being thrown under the bus by Media Matters when he spoke of progressives ruining this country. Did Bolling go too far?
Absolutely not. I am gravely concerned about the direction the current administration is taking this country and am in total agreement with Eric that the progressives are ruining this country, and in a hurry.
The administration is lawless in many regards and seems to be following Saul Alinsky's Rules For Radicals as evidenced by how they treat those in opposition to them. The appease our enemies, apologize for America and fail to recognize America's position as a divinely inspired land that stands apart from the rest of the world. The administration lacks an appreciation for our Founding Fathers and favors collective rights rather than individual rights. They are economically inept and the foreign policy decisions boggle the mind. This is nothing more than a group of thugs from Chicago who are interested in righting the perceived wrongs of the past and seem poised to use global warming as a vehicle for the global transfer of wealth through whatever corrupt means necessary.
While I have had this right on the blog the whole road traveled, America is waking up slowly. I fear it may be too late. As Ronald Reagan said, "if we lose freedom here there is no place to escape to, this is the last stand on earth".
4. With the Big Ten talking expansion, College Football is apparently on the verge of what could become a major realignment of the conferences. Your take?
I am a traditionalist in this regard and have a great appreciation for the old rivalries we find across the country. I also like the intersectional matchups we usually see in September before conference play begins. One thing I do not like conferences having some members for basketball and then others for football, and look no further than the Big East for an example of this.
I think the best course of action would be for Notre Dame to drop the arrogance and join the Big Ten, which would allow the conference to hold a championship game and keep the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. The Pac Ten needs to expand to have 12 teams and follow suit with a championship game, with expansion teams being Boise State and Utah (BYU has obstacles which knock them out).
I think the demise of the Big 12 and potentially the ACC as we know it then triggering possible SEC expansion when and if the dominoes start to fall would not be good for the color and pageantry of NCAA College Football.
5. Guests on "Imus in the Morning" are asked to list their five favorite songs, What are your top five?
Wow! This will be tough. Here are five that come to mind in no particular order.
Although, after starring in the London-based original company of Cats, most of America became aware of the talents and beauty of Finola Hughes in Staying Alive with John Travolta, I came to appreciate Finola in her role as the beautiful and mysterious Anna Devane Scorpio on ABC's General Hospital.
Until just recently, Hughes hosted "How Do I Look" on The Style Network. An accomplished dancer, Hughes talents as an actress have been showcased on the big screen in film such as Aspen Extreme in addition to Staying Alive and on television programs such as Jack's Place, Blossom and Charmed among others. She is a Daytime Emmy award recipient for her portrayal of Anna Devane on All My Children and General Hospital. On the heels of her role on How Do I Look, Finola has been labeled the celebrity style expert.
This stunning actress is one of those actors where you may not know them by name, but you have seen them many times in various projects. Rena Sofer is one of those individuals.
She first became known for her work on ABC's Loving and later on ABC's General Hospital. She is a Daytime Emmy Award winner, capturing that honor in 1995.
Sofer has since starred in many programs, including Seinfeld, Blind Justice, The Chronicle, Melrose Place and Heroes.
She has been in many movies, but may be best known for her work with Ben Stiller in Keeping The Faith.
Rena Sofer was spotlighted at this particular time because you may have an opportunity to catch her over the Thanksgiving Holiday on ABC's Dirty Sexy Money and perhaps on Fox's 24 as she portrays Marilyn Bauer, (pictured above right).
Vanessa Marcil busted on the scene portraying the part of Brenda Barrett on ABC's General Hospital and collecting a Daytime Emmy Award along the way.
She has been featured in STUFF and Maxim magazines, being named among Maxim's 100 Hottest Women. Vanessa was also a regular on Beverly Hills 90210 and starred in the motion picture The Rock.
Marcil can be found playing Sam Marquez guarding The Montecito on NBC's Las Vegas.
Actor Jack Wagner, formerly of ABC's General Hospital and FOX's Melrose Place, signs autographs on Saturday at The American Century Investments Celebrity Golf Tournament benefitting The Lance Armstrong Foundation at Lake Tahoe.
The tournament includes celebrities like Al Michaels, politicians such as Dan Quayle, current athletes like Tony Romo (with Jessica Simpson in tow), and former athletes including Rick Rhoden, Michael Jordan, John Elway, Wayne Gretzky and Dale Jarrett.
I have always pulled for Jack Wagner, who is the only "non-athlete" to win the event, winning in 2006. I have been a fan of his since the early 80's, and I had occasion to meet the General Hospital star during his musical tour, showcasing his #1 hit "All I Need". Pictured below is Wagner backstage at the Bob Carr Auditorium in Orlando in May 1985.
The American Century Golf Championship, broadcast annually by NBC Sports, is scheduled to donate over a half a million dollars to The Lance Armstrong Foundation. It is also fun to watch!
BAHL is a REALTOR, Real Estate Investor and Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Orlando. He holds a BS degree in Economics from Florida State University.
Jack Wagner, best known for roles on General Hospital and Melrose Place and the Billboard #1 hit "All I Need", won his second American Century Investments Celebrity Golf Tournament at Lake Tahoe on Sunday. Wagner held off Dallas Cowboy QB Tony Romo, who has now finished second three years in a row. Wagner, who led from start to finish, also won in 2006.
On Friday, April 29, 2011, Prince William will marry Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in a wedding sure to be watched by millions around the globe.
As I approached my 500th blog entry, I asked some of the readership for a question or two to celebrate the occasion. Then, I siphoned through all the media requests for interviews and selected an old friend, Tiffany Hill Donely, of WLPC ABC-TV of Port Charles, NY to present me with five questions selected from the readership.
Although, after starring in the London-based original company of Cats, most of America became aware of the talents and beauty of Finola Hughes in Staying Alive with John Travolta, I came to appreciate Finola in her role as the beautiful and mysterious Anna Devane Scorpio on ABC's General Hospital.
This stunning actress is one of those actors where you may not know them by name, but you have seen them many times in various projects. Rena Sofer is one of those individuals.
Vanessa Marcil busted on the scene portraying the part of Brenda Barrett on ABC's General Hospital and collecting a Daytime Emmy Award along the way.
Actor Jack Wagner, formerly of ABC's General Hospital and FOX's Melrose Place, signs autographs on Saturday at The American Century Investments Celebrity Golf Tournament benefitting The Lance Armstrong Foundation at Lake Tahoe.
The American Century Golf Championship, broadcast annually by NBC Sports, is scheduled to donate over a half a million dollars to The Lance Armstrong Foundation. It is also fun to watch!
