Whitney Houston Open Casket Photo Splashed Across National Enquirer

A photo of Whitney Houston in her open casket is on the front page of the National Enquirer. Understandably the family is outraged as millions of fans took to social media to voice their displeasure. Whigham Funeral Home vehemently denies accusations that they are the source of the leak and now fear for their safety.

CEO Carolyn Whigham says she is "horrified" by the accusations that her staff is to blame. I believe someone who atteneded the private viewing snapped the photo and sold it. I have seen the photo and, while Whitney looks very peaceful, the point of having a private viewing is so the public does not see Whitney in this fashion.

I am very disturbed that someone invited to this intimate gathering would look to capitalize on the pain of the Houston family.

Unreal.

MVP Ryan Braun 50-Game Suspension Overturned

Maybe there is hope  for the game of baseball yet.

In a post-steroid era it is hard to take a player who puts up magnificent power numbers at face value anymore. Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun had the best season of his life in 2011, one that ended with thw National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. However, Braun was cited for a positive drug test.

Here we go again.

After Manny Ramirez, one of the most feared sluggers of the last 15 years was exposed as a fraud for the second time last season (found guilty of drug use and chose to retire than face a 100-game suspension), Braun's elevated testosterone result was just another setback to a fanbase that just wants to move on and believe its players are finally playing the game the right way again.

Braun, to his credit, immediately appealed the result and for the first time in baseball a player won his appeal. As a result Braun will not be suspended.

This is great, right?

Reports are that the decision was overturned because his sample may have been compromised by the urine collector who instead of sending it out immediately by Fed Ex on Saturday kept it at his home until Monday. It was also reported that Braun's lawyers offered MLB a chance to take a DNA test of the sample to prove it was Braun's and the league refused. Sounds like corruption to me on the part of the MLB.

But why?

Unfortunately Braun can't go back to business as usual. There will always be that thought of why did the test show a positive result in the first place? We saw Rafael Palmeiro wag his finger at Congress years ago vehemently denying he used Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) only to be suspended for testing positive weeks later and retire in shame.

By all accounts Braun is a stand up citizen on and off the baseball diamond. Shouldn't we let it go since he actually put up a real fight to clear his name, the reaction we expect all players to have when being accused of cheating?

Here is some of Braun's statement below:

"I am very pleased and relieved by today's decision. It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this because I am innocent and the truth is on our side.
We provided complete cooperation throughout, despite the highly unusual circumstances. I have been an open book, willing to share details from every aspect of my life as part of this investigation, because I have nothing to hide. I have passed over 25 drug tests in my career, including at least three in the past year".

Yolanda Adams Sends Whitney Home

All Of This!!

Yolanda Adams paid a stirring tribute to the recently departed Whitney Houston at the NAACP Image Awards. She performed "I Love You Lord", a song Whitney sang on the 1996 soundtrack to the movie The Preacher's Wife.

Bobby Brown Leaves Funeral

Bobby Brown reportedly arrived at his ex-wife Whitney Houston's funeral with an entourage of nine people. Apparently Bobby wanted his people to have the same seating arrangement he had at the front of the church. This request was refused and his entourage was asked to leave. Bobby decided to leave with his entourage moments before the funeral was to begin.

There was speculation that Brown had been banned from attending the funeral, but was invited just a few days ago.

Former Mets Catcher Gary Carter Dies of Cancer

The starting catcher for the last New York Mets team to win a World Series in my lifetime has passed away. Gary Carter is stepping behind a new plate now and he was only 57 years old. Carter, battling brain tumors for the past year lost his battle with cancer yesterday (Feb. 16th).

Nicknamed "The Kid", Carter was the battery behind the 108-win Mets team of 1986. He might be best known for starting the two-out rally in Game 6 of the World Series against Boston that ended with Ray Knight jumping for joy down the third base line as Mookie Wilson's dribbler made Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner a marked man in Beantown, but from all accounts he was an even better person.

I never met Gary Carter, but whenever I saw him on television he always had a smile on his face. It's funny that of all the Mets players that had issues on those 80s teams, Dwight "Doc" Gooden (drugs), Darryl Strawberry (drugs & alcohol), Lenny Dykstra (alcohol), Kevin Mitchell, Keith Hernandez and more, Carter, who was never in the tabloids, never in the news for anything illegal or stupid, was the first to die.

R.I.P. Kid

Whitney Houston To Be Laid To Rest Saturday

Whitney Houston is going home one last time.

The singer, who passed away at age 48 in the bathtub of her Beverly Hills Hilton hotel room last Saturday, will be laid to rest in New Jersey where she grew up exactly one week later (Feb. 18th). Unlike Michael Jackson's funeral, Houston's will be a private service to be held in the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark where Whitney first showcased her golden voice as an 11-year old member of the choir.

There were reports of a public funeral service at the 18,000 seat Prudential center on Friday to be followed by the Saturday service, but the family nixed the idea of a public spectacle. There will be no public funeral procession to the church and police advised fans not to gather around the vicinity.

Cameras have been allowed inside the church, however. The funeral will be streamed live online and broadcast live on CNN beginning at 11 a.m. Whitney's godmother Aretha Franklin is expected to perform.

Jennifer Hudson salutes Whitney at Grammys

This says it all.

In Memoriam

Whitney Houston was one of the most prolific singers in music history. Her voice was unmistakable and the soundtrack to many growing up in the 80s and 90s. Houston has influenced many including Jennifer Hudson, who will perform a tribute to the fallen star at the Grammys tonight (Feb 12th).

I remember singing "One Moment In Time" in the glee club in elementary school. In honor of one of the greatest singers of all time her greatest videos and performances.

Her last performance "Jesus Loves Me" 2/9/12

"I Will Always Love You" 1992
The classic power ballad (I get chills still)



"Star Spangled Banner" 1991
The 2nd best rendition ever (behind Marvin Gaye at the Lakers game)

"The Greatest Love of All" 1985
sang this in the glee club in elementary school

"Saving All My Love For You" 1985
another classic

"I'm Every Woman" 1992
Girl Power Anthem

Of course the incomparable Whitney Houston had so many hits including seven straight #1 singles to start her career.

Whitney Houston Dead at 48

UPDATE: 2/12/12
Whitney Houston was reportedly discovered by her hairdresser in the bathtub submerged in the water and pulled out by her bodyguards, one of them named "Ray". Ray-J was no where in the vicinity.

According to TMZ, prescription drugs were discovered in the room which may have sedated Houston causing her to fall asleep or pass out while in the tub. An autopsy will be performed today (Feb. 12th).

In shocking news Whitney Houston was found dead in her hotel room at the Beverly Hills Hilton earlier today (Feb 11th). The troubled singer who was rumored to be in financial ruin was in the midst of recording a comeback album and was reportedly living off  the advance money for said album.

This is a tragic end to a life filled with so much promise nearly 30 years ago when a teenage Houston was discovered by legendary music executive Clive Davis. Houston went on break multiple records in the music industry most notably with the soundtrack to her first movie The Bodyguard. "I Will Always Love You" remains the standard of the power ballad in R&B/pop music.

Unfortunately, Houston became more famous for her erratic behavior during the 90s and 2000s during her tumultuous marriage to fellow R&B singer Bobby Brown. A shocking union to say the least when the two wed in 1992, many believed Brown would lead her down the wrong path. However it has been said that Houston already had demons when the two met and their relationship exacerbated her struggles with substance abuse.

In 2001 during a tribute to Michael Jackson, Houston look skeletal as she took the stage leaving many to fear for her life.

Houston was discovered by artist Ray-J with whom she was said to have been in a past relationship.

I'm stunned.

R.I.P. Whitney

All Lin!

I think Kobe Bryant knows who Jeremy Lin is now. After outdueling Bryant, at Madison Square Garden no less, on Friday night (Feb 10th) in front of a raucous sellout crowd Lin was the talk of the town and the NBA.

Lin, whose surname has been linked to every superlative or adjective imaginable in the last few days, set a new career high of 38 points and 7 rebounds as the Knicks beat the Lakers for the first time in ten games 92-85. Skeptics who wanted to see Lin against "real" competition got what they came to see and more. Lin's 89 combined points in his first three career starts is the most all-time by an NBA player since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77. He is averaging a little less than LeBron James' season average over the last four games.

Where was this guy all season?? Why was I subjected to Toney Douglas and Mike Bibby??

Great to see excitement back in the Garden. Now all I have to do is cancel my cable subscription to Time Warner so I can actually watch Lin on MSG (don't get me started on that one) network.

Hello, Blue

There she is.

The youngest person ever to chart on Billboard: Blue Ivy Carter. Jay-Z and Beyonce released photos of their precious little girl on Jay's Life+Times site with a simple note.

I was pleasantly surprised that this famously private couple revealed these photos, yet I give them a lot of credit for not selling or hawking the images to the highest bidding tabloid. It's not like they need the money, still selling your baby photos seems so reality tv.

Blue is adorable, nothing like the camel these haters joked about (referencing Jay-Z's looks).

Knock it off.

Can't Stop the LIN-Sanity!

Break up the Knicks!

With no Carmelo Anthony (with groin, ankle and wrist injuries) or Amar'e Stoudamire (death in the family), the Knicks have won three straight games. The bigger story has been the emergence of Jeremy Lin.

Lin has been the catalyst in the winning streak putting up over 20 points in each of the three games, becoming only the second player to score over 20 points and have eight assists in his first two career starts. The other player: LeBron James. Who needs Melo and STAT, right?

Let's not get crazy. The victories have been over the Nets, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards, but Lin has outplayed some good point guards on those teams, Deron Williams and John Wall among them. If Lin keeps playing like this who needs Baron Davis, no? When everyone gets healthy, how do you send this guy back to the bench?

I am not surprised the pride of Harvard has been lighting up the Garden to where Knick fans began chanting "M-V-P" after the Jazz game. I saw Lin carve up defenses as a member of the Golden State Warriors. Still he was demoted to the D-league for reasons current Warriors coach Mark Jackson has to research about now.

Before we annoint Lin the next Michael Jordan, lets see him play against some elite teams. With the Lakers coming to town on Friday, we will see if the magic will continue. One question: Why has Lin been buried on the bench all this time behind the likes of a washed up Mike Bibby?

Fire D'Antoni (sorry, couldn't resist)!

Well, in an otherwise disappointing season it is good to see a little excitement back in the World's Most Famous Arena.

Kim Kardashian Has "Crush" on Tebow

Run, Tim!

Fresh off a failed (staged) marriage to New Jersey Nets baller Kris Humphries, Kim K is allegedly on the warpath for a new athlete. Kardashian has since denied any interest in the Denver Broncos sensation, but she was on Twitter retweeting comments other made about Tebow asking friends if they want to start a Bible study class. Tebow is very religious and a reported virgin.

Kim's interest is of the self-centered variety (surprise), a scheme to rehab her image. Not sure how she rehabs her image by chasing another athlete good guy or not.

Enough already

You Can't Spell "Elite" Without...

It was De Ja Blue all over again! The New York football Giants beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI 21-17 in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII from four years ago which the Giants also won 17-14 in come from behind fashion.

It wasn’t that long ago that people were choking on their saliva when Eli Manning told ESPN radio talk show host Michael Kay that he was an elite quarterback that should be mentioned in the same sentence as Tom Brady. Manning had already beat Brady in Super Bowl XLII, stopping the New England Patriots perfect season in the process, but he also had an NFL-leading 26 interceptions last season. For this reason ESPN analyst (and former Dallas Cowboy) Darren Woodson ranked the likes of Tony Romo (surprise) and Matt Ryan in his top ten quarterbacks leaving Eli on the outside looking in at number 11.


For Eli, whose reputation has been Derek Jeter-like since he refused to play for the San Diego Chargers team that drafted him and came to New York, this “elite” statement sparked the biggest controversy by far in his NFL career. As unflappable as his demeanor on and off the field, Eli proceeded to amass a record 15 4th quarter touchdowns, pass for over 4900 yards (another career high), and engineer 6 comeback victories.

The Giants could not beat the Washington Redskins in the regular season. They could not beat the Philadelphia Eagles. They did beat the Dallas Cowboys, the team with the division lead, when it mattered most (when they were 6-6 snapping a four game losing streak and to win the division and secure a playoff berth). Oh, lest we forget one of those 4th quarter comebacks earned the Giants their 6th win of the season and a 6-2 record. The opponent: Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

The Giants were 7-7 and left for dead. They went on to beat the reeling cross town rival New York Jets, the Cowboys, a good offensive team in Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs, the 15-1 Super Bowl favorite Green Bay Packers, and a tough defensive team in the San Francisco 49ers. These aren’t pushovers.

How ironic Eli Manning earned a trip to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis, where big brother Peyton dominated for so many years yet may be let go in favor of a rookie. Eli, so many years in the shadow of Peyton, is now, dare I say, better than his older brother. Eli has beaten Tom Brady 3 out of 4 times in the last four years (including 2 Super Bowls) while Brady and the Patriots proved a formidable road block for Peyton during the early 2000s in his quest for a Super Bowl. Eli has beaten NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and Brady in the same playoffs, while Peyton beat Rex Grossman (?) to win his only Super Bowl.

Tom Brady and Patriots coach Bill Belichick are a mediocre 3-2 in the Super Bowl. They could have easily been 5-0 if not for a quarterback named Manning. While Brady and Belichick are locks for the Hall of Fame, the same can now be said for Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin (who was fired multiple times in the New York media when the Giants were 7-7).

There will be no revenge for New England. Who says the Patriots don’t lose to the same team twice in the same season? The New York football Giants have New England’s number. And yes, you cannot spell “elite” without Eli.

Don Cornelius Dead

Don Cornelius, the creator of "Soul Train" was found dead in his home at around 4a.m. this morning (Feb. 1st) of a gun shot wound to the head. Reports are it was an apparent suicide. He was 75 years old. Cornelius was going through a painful divorce and has had health issues.

"Soul Train" was a classic show that featured mainly African American entertainers in the vein of the Ed Sullivan show. Artists such as The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Run-DMC, Aretha Franklin and more graced the stage in the over 30 years the show ran in syndication.

R.I.P. Don