Time for Stallone to get the nod from Oscar COMMENTARY
Sylvester Stallone was so down for the count in 1975 that he had to sell his dog. A person should never have to sell his dog. But then he wrote a movie script in three days and eventually talked United Artists into filming it with him playing the title role as Rocky
Balboa. The film cost $1.1 million and earned $225 million globally. But far more importantly, an iconic albeit fictional hero was born who probably gave more hope to folks over the last 40 years than Super
man, Batman and the Avengers combined. You have a problem if you think you are Batman, but you have inspiration to get back up and fight the good fight if you think of yourself as Rocky. He’s hailed as an American hero, which he is, but he’s more than that. He’s a decent human being who fought for what he wanted and also for what he knew was right. It’s an image that should be revered anywhere in the world.
That’s why Stallone should — or even must — win an Oscar tonight at the Academy Awards as best supporting actor for reviving Rocky in “Creed,” the story of young boxer Adonis Creed, son of Apollo Creed.
Back at the 1977 Academy Awards, “Rocky” won best picture and John G. Avildsen was best director, but Stallone lost best actor to Peter Finch as Howard
Beale in “Network.” There’s no criticism of Finch intended because his “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” line became one of the great movie quotes. However, Howard Beale was hardly inspirational.
When “Rocky” was released, I had no particular interest in seeing it. But I was alone on some assignment in Nashville (I have no idea why I was there) with a free Saturday afternoon, so I decided to see a flick. (Back then, kids, theaters showed just one movie at a time!)
Like so many others, I was thrilled even though Rocky never persuaded me to drink raw eggs. But he almost made me want to run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Almost. Anyway, it has since been said of that scene and the overall movie that it did the most to improve Philadelphia’s image since
Ben Franklin.
It may have done more since then because how many of us have dreamed of being Ben Franklin?
But Rocky showed us so much. He showed us the strength that can come from belief in ourselves. He showed us the support that can come from a true love. He showed us that anyone can be a champion if he or she
never gives up. And finally in “Creed,” Rocky shows us that he can climb those steps one more time.
So come on, Oscar. You honored “Rocky” but ignored Stallone at the 1977 Academy Awards. Let him run up those few steps tonight and be recognized for giving us a hero that never let us down.
And when he is handed the Oscar, he must say, “Yo, Adrian!”
Stupid Combine questions
Have you been watching the NFL Scouting Combine, the late-February methadone for our football addiction? Best part we can see is watching offensive linemen “running” the 40-yard dash. Trust me, my big-boned brothers don’t dash. But what they should show us are the interviews, which would prove that the only weirdos at the combine are the guys asking the ques- tions. Yes, questions such as these (with my answers):
“Burger King or McDonald’s?” — Arby’s.
“Are you more like a dog or cat?” — Sloth. When Cam
Newton was asked this, he said he thinks of himself as human. So his next question was: “Do you have a problem with authority?”
“Boxers or briefs?” — Commando. (Not really. And I apologize for the image.)
“Do you think your mother is attractive?” — How do you know my mother?
“If you could kill someone and not get caught, would you?” — If someone was asking idiotic questions, yes.
These are the notes, folks
Speaking of the combine, you’ve heard that quarterbacks are rated on the size of their hands? Well, a few years back, one QB who had (and still has) huge hands was (and still is)
Johnny Manziel. How’s that worked out, Cleveland?
College football in 2015 set a scoring record of 29.65 points per game. Neither Florida (tied for 97th at 23.2) nor UCF (123rd out of 128 at 13.8) has any comment. Have you seen the video of
Tom Brady’s new puppy, Fluffy? The video is supposed to be like “Lion King” with “Circle of Life” playing as background music. But to me, Tom looks like an Aztec preparing to make a sacrifice of poor Fluffy.
About Chris Bosh’s resumed battle with blood clots, this from radio host Doug Gottlieb: “But barring the idea that he could die from this obviously, kinda good thing to happen for the Miami Heat?” Gottlieb explained that he thinks Bosh has never been great and is overpaid. Same to you, Doug.
We’ve learned Iowa has broken political ties by flipping a coin, but Nevada trumped them (see what I did there?) by drawing from a 52-card deck. I applaud Nevada. Right now I’d rather pick from any list of 52 people instead of the candidates still left.
Or how about thumb-wrestling? Great TV.
Or Tim Tebow for president? Come on, Tebow or Don
ald Trump? Think about it. Presidential bit of trivia:
Thomas Jefferson invented the swivel chair.
The Magic should draft the coolest name available. That’s why I am endorsing Furkan
Korkmaz, a shooting guard from Turkey. “Furkan, Furkan, he’s our man; if he can’t do it, Korkmaz can!”
In a recent Allstate poll of small businesses, the best cities were a tie between Indianapolis and Orlando. So maybe it’s the right time for me to open “Jerry’s Pet Rock Emporium.” Finally, today’s quote from
Ingrid Bergman: “Happiness is good health and a bad memory.”
Thank you so much
My heartfelt thanks to all who expressed or even thought well wishes about my health. You — along with those beautiful caregivers at South Seminole Hospital and, of course, my family — have meant much to me these past weeks. I’m still dealing with some issues but hope to keep my place in the Cheap Seats for a while. You are my friends and our Sundays together mean a great deal.