Best Posh and Bex Interview Ever

Despite the fact that in my 10 years in the states I seem to have been home for an inordinate number of Comic Relief Nights, I somehow missed Ali G interview Posh and Bex. It's obviously from a while ago, but it had me laughing out loud - usual warnings apply (it was on UK National TV, so if you work in an American office that isn't populated by a load of foreigners, you probably need your headphones on).

And I know it's 10 minutes long, but trust me, it's worth it....

Just in case you didn't realize

The Beckhams arrived in the US yesterday. So much coverage, I think it even shocked the US paparazzi, but needless to say, he was all over TV, Radio and Web yesterday. One good thing though, it did allow me to find out that my neighbours (the cool ones, not the dodgy walk into your house uninvited with a made up story about having to move a car from their "driveway") have a good mate who works in the LA Galaxy marketing department, so there's still a chance I might get a ticket for a game.

I guess the big question will be whether or not he actually makes any difference to how "soccer" is perceived over here. I know Pele came over a few years ago (make that 30 or something now I guess - I really am getting old), but that didn't pan out once he packed up and left, but this time there's a decent shot given all the work that's gone on behind the scenes with the clubs and infrastructure etc etc. The pay for your average player in the league is still crap, which I guess will always be the case until more big bucks get pumped in by the sponsors and advertisers, but living over here, you realize how many kids actually play this sport, at least until they hit 11 or 12 and get swept off into the excitement of making billions playing NFL, basketball or baseball or something. Seeing that "soccer" can actually make you a huge star (and rich) might just be enough to tempt a few more players to not leave the sport when they have a few choices, and that might just be the tipping point.

Anyway, some of the links here if you're interested.

SI
BBC
ESPN
Sky
New York Times
The "real" Times
And it even made news over in Oz!

If that's not enough, you're a sadder man than me and you should learn to use Google....

Who should eat all the pies

Apparently, Victoria won the UK Glamour Magazine woman of the year this week, but in complete contrast to our favorite fat guy (newly crowned favorite of course), Mr Viduka, I would strongly suggest she ate a lot more pies.

Maybe the moving to the US effect will hit her soon - I think I managed to put on about 30 or so pounds since I got off the plane - how can you resist a diet of Chipolte, and those extra sized portions. If not, it might be worth a drive across to force a couple of FatBurgers down her throat (and give her a haircut while we're at it). Volunteers please step forward

Beckham Not Here Yet, Still Getting Way Too Much Publicity

I could claim that I moved over here 10 years ago to get away from all the Beckham frenzie in the UK, but I'd be lying - it was annoying (and got worse after I left from what I can tell), but not enough to emigrate.

Anyway, it looks like the media frenzy is here already, even though no-one watches footy. His pics appear almost daily on the gossip sites, including his latest haircuts. I can only imagine what's going to happen when he actually arrives in the country to live.

Beckham's new home

So after a couple of months of frantic searching, "The Beckhams" have found a house close enough to fall for the Scientology sales pitch by TomKat.

They paid $22 million for it, which sounds about right for an upscale LA house, but then in the commentary, it says it's only got a 3 car garage! How will they survive with a garage that small? I'm sure there must be a mistake in there.

Anyway, if you're nosey, there are more house pics here.

Beckham Ditches Real, Joins LA Galaxy

So Beckham has formally announced (press conference, offical statement, the works) that he's leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season, and jetting off to LA to join the Galaxy in the MLS. I'm not sure if he's ever seen a game over there, but it's a good place to go towards the end of your career - he'll pretty much clean up. The standard isn't as good by a decent stretch (most of the good players you see in the World Cup team somehow end up playing in Europe), and the pace of the game is nice and easy. Given you're not allowed to put any hard tackles in without the whistle going, he's probably going to get a decent number of free kicks around the box as well, so all good for him.

I wonder if this will do anything for the MLS out here - I mean, he's probably the worlds best known footballer, and he's been over here a few times doing some self promotion, but footy is very much a 3rd division sport over here - superceded by pretty much everything, and not only at professional level - college as well. Still, only time will time - at least he went to LA, who do actually have a decent number of fans turn up for games (something to do with all the non-natives who live there is my guess). Let's see if ESPN decides they want to start showing a couple of games...