The Best Viral Video of 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mrs. Connie Chung!

Viral Video: Why I Hate Cell Phones

The following video is evidence that I am not the only person in America that finds cell phones horribly annoying and distracting.



Only one more video left in 2006. The final clip will be a classic, I assure you.

Viral Video: B of A Cringe Fest!

Watch as Bank of America's Jim DuBois turns a great U2 song into something just awful...

Viral Video: Kramer's Racist Tirade

You may have seen the Christmas parody. Now, the original, starring Michael Richards.

NSFW: Contains strong, racial slurs and other offensive language.

Viral Video: Brokeback to the Future

Having learned of the death of former U.S. President Gerald Ford, I'm not feeling very funny right now, but nonetheless, it's time for a Viral Video of the day...

And since 2006 is almost over, it's now time to show some of the funniest and wackiest videos of this year. I'll start off this one, a mix of two great movies of two different topics, so I'll say this...

I've seen the Back to the Future trilogy many times. I also saw Brokeback Mountain a couple times this year as well. But I never thought of Marty McFly's relationship with Dr. Emmitt Brown being like that of Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar...

Viral Video: Best Weatherman Ever

From the Viral Vault, you may remember Mark Mathis, who was the flamboyant and wild weatherman for a Fox affiliate in Charlotte.

Carowinds' new logo?

It's been lurking around some forums, and some folks at PKICentral.com came across what may be the first non-Paramount logo for one of the "former" Paramount Parks:



The logo looks sort of funny (the ® is placed weird: "Car®owinds"), and the black looks kinda grainy, like it came from a fax. The park name is presented in the same font as Cedar Point's, including the flag in place of a dotted "i", but in a straight across design than the double-arched style of CP's. Also, since the parent company has sort of renamed itself, "Cedar Fair Family of Parks" sounds more appropriate than simply "A Cedar Fair, L.P. Park."

If this logo is going around, it might not be too long before Kings Island's new logo is revealed - will they go in the same style as Cedar Point and Carowinds, bring back the classic logo from 1972-92, or create something different?

A Christmas Kings Island Aerial Update

http://photos.pkicentral.com/thumbnails.php?album=lastup

Again, our friends from PKICentral flew over the park for us, with a new update on what's on the way for 2007. First, the first real glimpse at Son of Beast, sans-loop. Also, there has been more progress at Fort Cooper...

Of course, stay tuned for more. There could be an announcement or update even BIGGER coming very soon...

A Merry Christmas Viral Video: Regis & Rudolph

Viral Video: Weird Al "interviews" Kevin Federline

A-Yank and K-Fed discuss the latest national disaster since Katrina...

Andy Furman to return to Cincinnati radio

Andy Furman's ouster from Cincinnati radio is soon coming to an end. It's been announced that Furman will host a late-afternoon sports talk show on 96.5 FM, SuperTalk, beginning Monday, January 8, 4-7 PM.
Furman, well known for his controversial remarks, was suspended by 700 WLW after remarks said about Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmanzadeh, who did not show up for a live talk show that Furman co-hosted in October. Three weeks later, Furman was fired.
Furman joked, “If Miss USA got a second chance, why shouldn’t I?” in reference to Donald Trump's decision to not fire Miss USA after inappropriate behavior.

Welcome back, Furball!

Cedar Fair announces $83 Million in Additions & Improvements for 2007; $10 M for Kings Island

Press Release

Today, amusement park superpower Cedar Fair announced a total of $83 million in capital expenditures, including new attractions and other improvements. Flagship park Cedar Point will receive the most with Maverick, a $21 million launch coaster, first officially announced in September. Second in line is Kings Dominon, one of five former Paramount parks acqured by the company in June, which is expanding its WaterWorks water park. The $11 million investment includes a second wave pool, along with two major slides.
Also very notable is Kings Island, which will receive $10 million, including a new thrill ride yet to be named. Knott's will get $8 million, including the rumored family spinning coaster.

A certain P-word was not mentioned in the release...

X-Flight coming down quickly...

Geauga Lake Today posted some new photos from Wednesday of the dismantling of X-Flight. Much more of the track is now gone, instead laying in the parking lot... as it did just six years ago when Six Flags was building it.

Viral Video: Anchorwoman Pwned!

CAUTION: Don't try this at home.

Don't blink...

Viral Video: Howard Stern Starts Fire

NSFW: contains some crass, potty mouth humor that is a bit too extreme for some...

A CNN anchorwoman soon realizes that the REAL mayor of San Diego didn't just say that...

Joseph Barbera, 1911-2006

Youi Bear's co-creator dies at 95 (CNN)

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Joe Barbera, half of the Hanna-Barbera animation team that produced such beloved cartoon characters as Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear and the Flintstones, died Monday, a Warner Bros. spokesman said. He was 95.

Barbera died of natural causes at his home with his wife, Sheila, at his side, Warner Bros. spokesman Gary Miereanu said.

Well, one of the greatest animation teams has officially faded into history, but a great legacy was left behind. Generations, like mine, grew up with the Hanna-Barbera cartoons, through the TV, at Kings Island, and in other places... May the legends of Mr. Barbera and Mr. Hanna live on.

Viral Video: Santa's Elfist Tirade

I'm sure you know by now which video this one is a parody of...

Kings Island hinting at 2007?

The latest e-mail sent out regarding 2007 season passes...

Kings Island soars into its 35th Anniversary with more than 85 world-class rides and attractions, including world-record holding roller coasters, an award-winning children's area, 15-acre water park, and outstanding family musical productions. Enjoy all this and much more with your 2007 Season Passes!

(emphasis added by editor)

One thing Bengals and Colts fans agree on...

It's not quite the rivalry that the Bengals have with the Steelers or Browns, but you think it would be since Cincinnati is only about two hours away from Indianapolis. There might be a debate on who has the better team, better QB, offense, defense, coach, etc.

But there seems to be a consensus on who has the better downtown. Last week, the Cincinnati Enquirer asked readers what city has a better downtown: they loudly responded that it's the hometown of the Colts that's on top.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061218/BIZ01/612180318/1076

Hundreds of specialty retailers, restaurants and clubs. Dozens of theaters, museums, parks and sports venues. More than 5,000 hotel rooms. A huge convention center that's being expanded - again. Nearly 10,000 single-family homes, condos and apartments. A supermarket.

That's not just a wish list for downtown Cincinnati; it's what downtown Indianapolis already has.

Ten years after its $319 million Circle Centre shopping mall opened, downtown Indianapolis has a multitude of downtown workers, shoppers, residents and out-of-town visitors who bring these places to life and keep them in business.

There's no doubt Cincinnati has some great qualities, even advantages, in its downtown and core: a great history, remarkable architecture, visual and performing arts, riverfront setting, great hills, major league baseball, and so on. Oh, and Kings Island is in Cincy's metro area.

Indianapolis, however, is much more vibrant after 5PM - and more than just an botique arts district full of young professionals. When it comes to football towns, not all the fans are hanging out in the parking lots tailgating in Indianapolis; they're shopping and dining at the restaurants at Circle Centre. Many of the hotels, stores, restaurants, and businesses are accessible via the skywalk to the Convention Center and RCA Dome - everything just seems more together. The Lucas Oil Stadium, to open in 2008, seems a little disconnected from downtown, but because of its retractable roof, can be used year-round and for events well beyond football.

However, in Cincinnati, the stadium just seems disconnected from downtown - it's surronded by a big parking lot, and whaterver is downrown seems hidden between shuttered office buildings. I know that potential is there, with the Banks, and new restaurants going in around Fountain Square, but it's going to be some time- even with residents moving into downtown. And we still have the Bengals and Hamilton County arguing over who is responsible for what at Paul Brown Stadium...

And don't forget about UniGov - Indianapolis and Marion County have worked together for about 40 years, while Cincinnati and Hamilton County are experts at the game of finger-pointing.

Viral Video: Barack Obama on MNF

Tonight on ESPN Monday Night Football, it's a big game that just about everyone I know will be watching - Colts vs. Bengals at RCA Dome.

But last week, it was the Rams vs. Bears, and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) had an important announcement prior to the broadcast. Let's say that some western Illinois constituents weren't too happy with his message...

Coombs leaves Colerain for UC

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061217/SPT0101/312170014

A great era in high school football has ended. Kerry Coombs, the quintessential high school football coach, is leaving his head coaching position after 16 years at Colerain. He won't be moving very far (or this case, probably not at all), as he will become an assistant of Brian Kelly at the University of Cincinnati.

Coombs, who has a record of 161-34, including a 15-0 championship season in 2004, will continue be a great asset as the Bearcats' defensive backs coach. The team travels to Toronto on January 6, 2007, as UC plays Western Michigan in the International Bowl. Can't travel to Canada? The game will be on ESPN2, even for suckers like me who have Time Warner.

Viral Video: Hosting Public Access Can Be Tough

Let's take a trip back to 1990, where Ken Sander, a New York public access channel host, takes calls on whether New Yorkers should have handguns. Lets' say that here, some handguns are being fired at Sander, and they're loaded with F-bombs and other dirty talk. And hang on for Letterman's parody...

NSFW: Yes, even on a Public Access channel, callers feel the need to repeatedly use foul language. Therefore, I recommend you watch this at home, or somewhere you won't be penalized...

Geauga Lake X-Flight dismantling begins

X-Flight, the flying coaster whose removal from Geauga Lake was announced last month, is now being dismantled, according to photos on Geauga Lake Today.

The arrow points towards the helix section, where track has been removed from the overhead supports.

It is still unknown officially which Cedar Fair park it's headed to, but it's likely that park could be Kings Island, according to aerial photos taken by PKI Central.

Stay tuned for more dismantling photos... as well as re-construction photos, wherever that may be!

Viral Video: We're Live, Bert!

Minnesota Twins anaylyst Bert Blyleven, during a pre-game at Yankee Stadium, and not realizing he was on live TV, messes up and colorfully shows us his frustration...

NSFW: Contains vulgar language.

Viral Video: Weatherman vs. Cockroach

Some on the internet like to question this guy's manilness, even his sexuality. But one thing is sure about this video, and most likely, you've seen it: FUNNY!

Watch as Justin Mosely, meteorologist for a Sarasota cable news channel, gets pwned.

The Dismantling Game continues...

As Kings Dominion is working to add to WaterWorks, one other attraction may be going away...

The park's 5-year old S&S launch coaster, Hypersonic XLC, is listed for sale. Whether there are any takers has yet to be seen. Sister park Cedar Point had been trying to seel Demon Drop since later 2005 season, but still had not found a buyer, even though it operated in 2006. Whether the same will be true for Hypersonic is unknown at this time.


As one Cedar Fair park is changing, another Six Flags park seems to be disappearing for good.

A thread on rec.roller-coaster shows Six Flags New Orleans' Batman the Ride, a B&M inverted coaster, being dismantled. This most likely confirms that the park, which has been closed since August 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, will not re-open. This coaster was first installed elsewhere, so now, the first B&M to be relocated, has been relocated more than once...

Also from the Six Flags Blotter, Magic Mountain's once-innovative Superman: The Escape is also listed for sale.

Of course this comes all after it was announced that Kings Island is removing the vertical loop from Son of Beast as part of modification to resolve the problems that caused the July 9th incident when over two dozen riders were injured.... So stay tuned, this might be a winter full of action!

"Kings Dominion" to expand WaterWorks, lower prices

As you may have seen earlier on, it was reported through a Career Day brochure on PKD's website that WaterWorks would be expanded. Today, the park confirmed it, not only with a press release, but also through an e-mail that I received.

The park’s waterpark, WaterWorks, is receiving its first major expansion since 1999. Located inside the theme park, WaterWorks is adding three major new attractions that offer something for everyone.

“New water attractions, new price, new year,” said Richard Zimmerman, vice president and general manager of Kings Dominion. “We know our guests are looking for ways to stretch their entertainment dollar and next year, Kings Dominion will be an even better value. With our expanded waterpark, and our unparalleled collection of roller coasters, rides and attractions, no other park in the Mid-Atlantic can offer so much fun and excitement.”

Beginning with Tidal Wave Bay, Kings Dominion is adding a second wave pool to the waterpark. Filled with hundreds of thousands of gallons of water, Tidal Wave Bay will offer hours of swimming adventure.

The new Tornado attraction combines high thrills with spinning and churning wet spills. Extending 65 feet into the air, the Tornado provides riders with a unique water experience that everyone will want to ride again and again. Finally, the addition of the Zoom Flume, will give families the opportunity to enjoy a rafting adventure together. Four riders at a time can climb aboard the raft and “zoom” down the curving and tilting raging water path.

Also, Kings Dominion is lowering the prices of daily general admission. Adults get in for $5 less than 2006, at $44.95. Junior/Senior pricing (also a Cedar Fair thing) is $24.95, and admission after 4 PM will now be $29.95 - it is the first time pricing at KD has been lowered since the park opened in 1975.

If you notice that in the typed portion of the press release, "Paramount" is not mentioned even once...

Viral Video: The News Can Make You Sick!

This one is more work safe, but make sure you're not eating when you see this...

Report: Canada's Wonderland De-Paramountized?

http://www.pkicentral.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=8698&view=findpost&p=140581

A visitor to Canada's Wonderland, who was there for a job interview, noticed some changes underway.

He claims that the "Paramount Canada's Wonderland" signs have been removed, and replaced with those saying "Cedar Fair presents Canada's Wonderland." Also, there is some renovation work going on throughout the park, inside and out, and that some ride names have been changed. Lastly, while Nickelodeon characters will remain as expected, apparently the Hanna-Barbera characters and areas are being removed and changed, to replaced with the Peanuts.

Because there isn't photographic evidence, nor multiple sources, this information can't be confirmed. But, knowing that Cedar Fair is in charge, expect changes to take place. The changes that this visitor listed, to me, are a bit believable.

State releases Son of Beast report; Loop GONE

From the desk of Maureen Kaiser:

Son of Beast Statement
12.13.06

The State of Ohio’s Department of Agriculture released today its final report detailing the outcome of the extensive Son of Beast inspection. The report reaffirms initial indications that the incident was an unforeseen single event failure.

We will now focus our energies on the appropriate and necessary changes needed to reopen the ride in 2007. In addition to reinforcing the physical structure of the ride, we plan to remove the loop. Taking this extra step enables us to use lighter trains, which will reduce the load and lead to a more comfortable ride experience.

We are making good progress on Son of Beast and are fully committed to reopening the ride in 2007.

You can read the Department of Agriculture's final report here.
(WCPO: Son Of Beast Accident Blamed On Design Flaw)

While I'll miss the signature, unique loop, hopefully the new trains will give a much better overall ride experience. (image courtesy CYoung2003) "BEER!"

Viral Video: Problems on Indy's West Side

WARNING - NOT SAFE FOR WORK
This video contains material that may be offensive, play at your own risk.

The traffic reporter at WRTV Channel 6 in Indianapolis shows us that, yes, there really are some problems involving more than traffic on the city's west side.

Something Going On at Kings Island...

My friends at PKICentral have posted some aerial pictures of Kings Island recently taken, that show a great deal of land clearing behind Flight of Fear. The site seems to have a rectangular shape, similar to that of the X-Flight coaster that will be removed from Geauga Lake.

One of the five pictures also shows Son of Beast, which is undergoing some winter work, near the end of the ride's circuit - and the coaster's vertical loop also standing.

However, please note that the pictures were taken on December 3, more than a week ago. This is because the PKICentral staff waited until they got approval from Kings Island to post the pictures. This could also mean that the Son of Beast's loop may be gone after all...

(UPDATE) KI has confirmed that the SOB loop has been removed!

Promotions Gone Bad

It's not like a sports team has pulled off a promotion that was either tasteless, or just plain backfired.

Disco Demolition Night. Cheap Beer Night. Tonya Harding Baseball Bat Day. Nude viewing area (enclosed, tinted tent). Now, Big Ben Motorcycle Helmet Night.

The Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL are back, and in their return season, they've decided to sink to a new low to get fans. Yes, I know that the purpose of the promotion is motorcycle safety, and it's unfortunate that too many riders have lost their lives because they weren't wearing a helmet, Ben Roethlisberger himself made the foolish mistake in not wearing one himself.

But am I the only one who doesn't find this promotion funny? I felt very bad when I heard of Ben's accident - learning that he could have very well died from his injuries. I do not wish injury on anyone*. I have a feeling that partisan Bengals fans think this is a fun way to "get even" with the Steelers. However, I'm sure that the Bengals would NEVER try this kind of promotion, fearing a PR nightmare and/or serious fines by the NFL.

To those who like this promotion: should I suggest that the Pittsburgh Penguins have Carson Palmer Surgery Night?

*I'm willing to make exceptions, such as those who blow up innocent people, skyscrapers, buildings, etc.

Great Wolf Lodge next to Kings Island ready to go

The abysmal time of year, better known as winter is on its way. Miss the warm weather, when you could ride the waves, slip down a cool and exciting slide, or just relax in the water? Very soon, people like me won't have to go far to get a fix...

The new Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, next to Kings Island, is all but complete, and some lucky guests, like contractors and employees, as well as friends and family, got the chance to experience the indoor waterpark's "dry run." The Lodge is set to open this Thursday, Dec. 14, according to their website.

Check out these photos taken by PKICentral.com - this place has some of the most impressive water attractions in the Cincinnati area - 11 slides, including a water coaster, bowl slide, plus an indoor wave pool, lazy river, and more. Catch is, you have to reserve a room to enjoy the water park. Rooms at the Great Wolf range from $180 to $600 a night, depending on room type and date - and include 4 waterpark passes.

Viral Video: But... He's Gay!

To get some activity here, I'm going to post a cool or funny video every day or so...

How 'bout this Freudian slip... who has she been hanging out with?!