http://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/players/dolly_parton/88025 Recent articles about Dolly Parton en-us Empire State Building bathed in Ravens team colors after the Super Bowl. Via Philips.  The Super Bowl ratings were up, until they eventually ended down in third place all-time behind last year’s Super Bowl and 2010′s Super Bowl XLV. 108.4 million people tuned in last night, it the numbers dipped due to the blackout. The Parents Television Council is upset that CBS didn’t immediately dump the audio when Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco exclaimed, “f—— awesome” on the field after the game. Why the Parents Television Council cannot just employ my own parents’ rule of, “Just because a grown-up can say it, doesn’t mean you can and some words are just never appropriate,” and handing their kids an LP of George Carlin’s Class Clown which has “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” as its last track is beyond me. Solid parenting, I came out just f-ing fine. Jacoby Jones scored more than a just second half kickoff return for a touchdown, customers of Gardiners Furniture in Baltimore wer Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:33:42 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/ratings_dip_free_furniture_for_ravens_fans_and_more_ksk_kontent_klearinghouse/12836791 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/ratings_dip_free_furniture_for_ravens_fans_and_more_ksk_kontent_klearinghouse/12836791 Ratings Dip, Free Furniture For Ravens Fans And More: KSK Kontent Klearinghouse http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/ratings_dip_free_furniture_for_ravens_fans_and_more_ksk_kontent_klearinghouse/12836791 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Thanks to a new partnership between Bristol Motor Speedway and Dollywood Cabins, race fans visiting East Tennessee for the excitement of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series action have a great option for convenient and affordable lodging. Dollywood Cabins’ NASCAR-exclusive package includes two nights in a luxurious cabin nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, a dinner and show at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction, and a ticket for the March 17 Food City 500 in Bristol. Packages begin at just $248.20 (plus tax, per person) and are on sale now by calling Dollywood Cabins at (866) 857-2123. Just a short drive from Bristol, Tenn., Dollywood Cabins allow guests a chance to relax and unwind from a day at the track in a fully-appointed cabin, while enjoying breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains. Cabins range in size from one to eight bedrooms, with the largest cabin able to accommodate up to 30 guests. The BMS spring race weekend features Ford Fan Friday and Food City Race Nig... Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:42:36 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/bristol_motor_speedway_dollywood_cabins_offer_money_saving_ticket_packages/12623857 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/bristol_motor_speedway_dollywood_cabins_offer_money_saving_ticket_packages/12623857 Bristol Motor Speedway, Dollywood Cabins offer money-saving ticket packages http://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/bristol_motor_speedway_dollywood_cabins_offer_money_saving_ticket_packages/12623857 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Although much of the league won’t be paying much attention to the goings on in Charlotte tonight, this game should be billed as a preview of the future of the NBA. The matchup features a pair of teams which, because of varied circumstances, are in the midst of constructing “future dynasties.” Both are packed with young, raw, talent. Both have energy to burn. Both teams have also found the road to piling up wins in pro hoops is a rocky one at best. Cleveland, one season deeper into franchise reconstruction triggered by the exit of He Who Shall Not Be Named, should be one season better, if one applies logic to a situation better measured by pure human desire. Charlotte is buoyed by the return of the seemingly constantly injured Tyrus Thomas. Did he provide the spark to his teammates that led them to a second victory in a row or did his rustiness slow the Felines down? The answer to this and many more questions is but a click away. The first quarter was largely the CJ Miles... Fri, 04 Jan 2013 22:35:53 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/battle_of_the_rebuilds/12580846 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/battle_of_the_rebuilds/12580846 Battle of the Rebuilds http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/battle_of_the_rebuilds/12580846 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Check out this classic paragraph from Richard Sandomir in today's Times. It concerns Rupert Murdoch buying YES, and the potential impact it could have on the network's pro-Yankee slant.Fox will, of course, bring some of its programming to YES. That was one reason to make the deal. It needs a New York outpost, especially as it starts a national sports network that is, for now, called Fox Sports 1. But tinker with the propaganda? Never. Wait a minute. I hadn't thought of this: Fox buying the Yankee network, and suddenly forcing it to change its ways and become a completely unbiased news source. Wow. Hold on for a second. I gotta wrap my head around this for a while. I need to put my head in an ice bucket.OK, I'm better now. Fox buying YES, and forcing the channel to become unbiased. Hey, mathematically, it could happen. Put two negatives together, and you get a positive. Add Fox's bias to YES's bias, and theoretically, you would create two rapidly spinning p... Sat, 24 Nov 2012 09:45:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/will_murdochs_grand_journalistic_tradition_eliminate_bias_at_yes/12283786 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/will_murdochs_grand_journalistic_tradition_eliminate_bias_at_yes/12283786 Will Murdoch's grand journalistic tradition eliminate bias at YES? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/will_murdochs_grand_journalistic_tradition_eliminate_bias_at_yes/12283786 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png I know how to be a Cowboy T… Emmitt Smith had the country foxtrot with Cheryl Burke this week. The partners had a good time dancing to Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. A highlight: Smith’s solo with a high karate kick and lasso move (Yeehaw!) Scores of 8.5, 8.5 and 9.5 give 26.5 for this dance and a grand total of 82.5 when combined with last week’s scores. Who better for a Ho-down than a Legendary Cowboy. To see the Video continue reading. -TO Emmitt & Cheryl Show Their Samba Swagger Emmitt Smith’s Fourth Dance Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:58:50 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/emmitt_smiths_goes_country_for_sixth_dance_dancing_with_the_stars/12089497 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/emmitt_smiths_goes_country_for_sixth_dance_dancing_with_the_stars/12089497 Emmitt Smith’s Goes Country for Sixth Dance – Dancing With The Stars http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/emmitt_smiths_goes_country_for_sixth_dance_dancing_with_the_stars/12089497 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png I received a stunning number of non-inquiries into my absence from the writing scene last week. Sorry, folks, but every guy needs a vacation. The good news for you is that I'm back now, rested and refreshed. Time to get cracking and start this week off right. 1. A buddy of mine asked me the other day why we don't put something up on the site like an official CBR "countdown to kickoff" or something. Fair question, because don't all of our lives get infinitely better when there's real college football to watch? Obviously, I wouldn't be sitting here typing this right now if I didn't love football. I used to play up that shtick, but I had an epiphany at some point in the last couple years. Truthfully, that whole bag about "my life is empty without football" is just kinda pathetic. Yeah, football season is great and all, but, like, I have a life. I'm not going to waste the limited number of minutes that I have to live counting them in ... Mon, 30 Jul 2012 08:12:46 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/golf/article_external/case_of_the_mondays_time_to_lace_em_up/11330596 http://network.yardbarker.com/golf/article_external/case_of_the_mondays_time_to_lace_em_up/11330596 Case of the Mondays: Time to lace 'em up http://www.yardbarker.com/golf/articles/case_of_the_mondays_time_to_lace_em_up/11330596 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png CMT issued the following press release today: THE ULTIMATE REDNECK-STYLE COMPETITION SERIES “REDNECK ISLAND,” HOSTED BY WWE SUPERSTAR STEVE AUSTIN, SET TO PREMIERE JUNE 9 ON CMT NASHVILLE – May 24, 2012 – Hosted by WWE superstar Steve Austin, REDNECK ISLAND will take 12 red, white and blue-collared Americans out of their element, and far away from cold beer, for the ultimate redneck-style competition series, which debuts Saturday, June 9 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT with a special 2-hour long premiere. From a remote tropical paradise, Austin will guide the men and women through a number of hilarious mental and physical challenges designed to celebrate the group’s strengths and limitations in a quest for $100,000. At the end of each episode, teammates will send one competitor packing. The REDNECK ISLAND contestants include: Catherine Long (Harrisburg, N.C.) – Blonde, bubbly and funny “Southern belle.” Likes to have a good time and is fun to be around, but can become stubborn and hot-headed at... Thu, 24 May 2012 16:17:08 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/full_details_on_steve_austins_redneck_island_reality_show/10866845 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/full_details_on_steve_austins_redneck_island_reality_show/10866845 Full Details on Steve Austin’s “Redneck Island” Reality Show http://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/full_details_on_steve_austins_redneck_island_reality_show/10866845 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png CMT issued the following press release today:THE ULTIMATE REDNECK-STYLE COMPETITION SERIES “REDNECK ISLAND,” HOSTED BY WWE SUPERSTAR STEVE AUSTIN, SET TO PREMIERE JUNE 9 ON CMTNASHVILLE – May 24, 2012 – Hosted by WWE superstar Steve Austin, REDNECK ISLAND will take 12 red, white and blue-collared Americans out of their element, and far away from cold beer, for the ultimate redneck-style competition series, which debuts Saturday, June 9 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT with a special 2-hour long premiere.From a remote tropical paradise, Austin will guide the men and women through a number of hilarious mental and physical challenges designed to celebrate the group’s strengths and limitations in a quest for $100,000. At the end of each episode, teammates will send one competitor packing.The REDNECK ISLAND contestants include:Catherine Long (Harrisburg, N.C.) – Blonde, bubbly and funny “Southern belle.” Likes to have a good time and is fun to be around, but can become stubborn and hot-headed at time... Thu, 24 May 2012 16:03:05 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wwe/article_external/full_details_on_steve_austins_redneck_island_reality_show/10867040 http://network.yardbarker.com/wwe/article_external/full_details_on_steve_austins_redneck_island_reality_show/10867040 Full Details on Steve Austin’s “Redneck Island” Reality Show http://www.yardbarker.com/wwe/articles/full_details_on_steve_austins_redneck_island_reality_show/10867040 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson kicked off the 2012 Helmet of Hope campaign today at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., by announcing Blue Bunny Ice Cream as the title sponsor of the program. Johnson unveiled this year’s helmet, custom designed by Jason Beam and complete with ice cream scoops. “We’re thrilled to have Blue Bunny Ice Cream as the title sponsor for this year’s Helmet of Hope,” Johnson said. “Blue Bunny and the Jimmie Johnson Foundation share the same passion for helping those in need. We look forward to recognizing 13 great charities together this year.” The Helmet of Hope program, which began in 2008, allows fans, consumers and media members across the country to nominate their favorite charity to receive a $10,000 grant and special recognition on Johnson’s race helmet. This year’s Helmet of Hope campaign will run for six consecutive Sprint Cup race weekends beginning at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in April and culminating at D... Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:53:09 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/jimmie_johnson_foundation_partners_with_blue_bunny_ice_cream_to_launch_2012_helmet_of_hope/10383979 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/jimmie_johnson_foundation_partners_with_blue_bunny_ice_cream_to_launch_2012_helmet_of_hope/10383979 Jimmie Johnson Foundation Partners with Blue Bunny Ice Cream To Launch 2012 Helmet of Hope http://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/jimmie_johnson_foundation_partners_with_blue_bunny_ice_cream_to_launch_2012_helmet_of_hope/10383979 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png With little advance notice, singer Jennifer Hudson sang the Dolly Parton song made famous by Whitney Houston, ‘I Will Always Love You’, at last night’s Grammy Awards. “It was the greatest honor of my life to pay tribute to Whitney’s memory. It was from my heart. Her family is in my prayers,” Hudson tweeted on...Read the Rest... Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:45:48 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/jennifer_hudson_on_grammy_tribute_greatest_honor_of_my_life/9907339 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/jennifer_hudson_on_grammy_tribute_greatest_honor_of_my_life/9907339 Jennifer Hudson on Grammy Tribute: ‘Greatest Honor of my Life’ http://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/jennifer_hudson_on_grammy_tribute_greatest_honor_of_my_life/9907339 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Good Morning! Welcome to the new week ahead. I was watching a portion of the Grammys earlier. Of course they did some minor tweaks in the aftermath of Whitney Houston passing. Just some minor thoughts. I would have wanted to see Etta James and Don Cornelius on the In Memoriam vignette. Both were not on it. Nate Dogg was simplified into a group instead of individual like what they did to Amy Winehouse or Whitney. Sure thing they put a tribute for Etta in already with Raitt and Keys. But that is different. I will definitely be in the minority with regards to Chris Brown. Ok, so he beats up women, fine. He still has talent for music. Speaking of which… CBreezy was doing his thing alongside David Guetta and Lil’ Wayne, then the Foo Fighters did theirs, followed by this! Adele was the worthy winner. Going 6/6 on your 2nd album in the Grammys is sweet. Another worthy winner? Jennifer Hudson. Tasked to sing the song originally sung by Dolly Parton, she killed it onstage. The simplistic ... Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:45:06 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/the_morning_after_february_13_2012_edition/9896065 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/the_morning_after_february_13_2012_edition/9896065 The Morning After – February 13, 2012 edition http://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_morning_after_february_13_2012_edition/9896065 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png I gave Katy Perry a shot at cracking the Timmy Tebow chastity belt—apparently…no dice. But now I hear of the all time athlete SMUT trying to have her shot at everyone’s favorite virgin quarterback, Tim Tebow and all I can do is shake my head. Why does she feel the need to have her big ass and big name in every situation? Go away girl, there is NO shot that a man with morals would try and wife you up. Kim Kardashian has reportedly set her sights on poor Timmy and reportedly has a major crush on him. Never mind that Tim is a devout Christian and a virgin who is saving himself for marriage, and probably wouldn’t even be able to feel anything if he were to enter the wide world of athletes. Kim, on the other hand is all about gettin’ hers and wants to have her name beside the next big athlete to keep her brand/name alive because like her, her act is getting old. I mean sweetie, you’re old news….we saw you in hardly anything, we saw you in nothing and now we SEE you too much. You have like a two year Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:59:48 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/why_must_kim_kardashian_smut_everythingeveryone_up_leave_timmy_tebow_alone/9659230 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/why_must_kim_kardashian_smut_everythingeveryone_up_leave_timmy_tebow_alone/9659230 Why Must Kim Kardashian Smut Everything/Everyone Up? Leave Timmy Tebow Alone! http://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/why_must_kim_kardashian_smut_everythingeveryone_up_leave_timmy_tebow_alone/9659230 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/2/02540b06127c7c2e5eceffbf945d529dee68236b/mini/NFC_Championship_Minnesota_56b0.jpg On the Eighth Day of Gheorghe-Mas, Big Gheorghe gave to me: Eight Songs I'm Loathing . . . or should be loathing, but I'm loath to say that I'm actually liking them instead of loathing them . . .  Seven Football Stories Six Bits Worth Reviving Five Awesome Gifts Four Smokin' Rock Chicks Three Blogging Concepts (Sports, Drinking, Elitism) Two Footie Stories And a Doofus on a Pony If you don't know the distinction between "loath" and "loathe," then you've come to the right place. First, I should tell you that I am a professional English teacher, and so you can trust my expertise. Second (and not nearly as important) is the fact that I learned the difference between these two words several weeks ago. This should have no bearing on my counsel. Actually, you should be pleased and impressed that I am willing to admit that I did NOT know the distinction between "loath" and "loathe" until recently . . . because I could ... Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:09:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/the_twelve_days_of_gheorghe_mas_day_eight/8908462 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/the_twelve_days_of_gheorghe_mas_day_eight/8908462 The Twelve Days of Gheorghe-mas: Day Eight http://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_twelve_days_of_gheorghe_mas_day_eight/8908462 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The hilarious pull-quote featured to the right is from an ESPN article detailing Jim Thome’s address to the City Club of Cleveland, wherein he announces that despite the market not being flush for 41-year old designated hitters he’d still like to play in 2012. “In a year or two, this team can do some very special things,” Thome said. “They have put the groundwork in, done things the right way.” He continued to praise the team, the city and the organization, but really the most important thing he said was about playing by himself in the backyard. In the spirit of sharing only the important things a man says, today’s Dugout presupposes — What if that actually happened? Today’s Dugout is after the jump. Cleveland, if you’re reading this … keep this guy around for a while, would you? The Dugout   ** Online Host ** Welcome to the 2012 Major League Baseball Season Chatroom!   WordUpThome: HEY DAD I’M GONNA BE PLAYING CRACKERED-JACK BASEBALL IN THE BACK-YARD WILL YOU TELL Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:20:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/the_dugout_jim_thomes_backyard/7691191 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/the_dugout_jim_thomes_backyard/7691191 The Dugout: Jim Thome’s Back(yard) http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_dugout_jim_thomes_backyard/7691191 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/e/8e6f9d45044788b193cd643f623103ee5af651f8/mini/MLB_Pittsburgh_Pirates_e2b4.jpg