Happy Sunday, everyone! Welcome to the Six.
Flipped on the television the other night just in time to see the final play of an NBA playoff game. Jalen Brunson, formerly of Chicagoland’s Stevenson High School, now of the New York Knicks, drained a three-point basket with seconds left to send the Knicks into the second round. It reminded me of how much fun, in a bygone era, this time of year was to watch professional basketball. When Michael Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls and they were winning championships.
The first day of May (Thursday) just so happened to be a Jordan-related anniversary.
On May 1, 1988, #23 became the first player to score 50 or more points in consecutive playoff games. Jordan smoked Cleveland for 50 in game 1 of a playoff series on April 28, then came back and drilled the Cavs for 55 in game 2. That series (the following year, Jordan clinched a series vs the Cavs with his iconic buzzer-beater) was just the beginning of a decade-long run of May-filled playoff games, ending with Jordan’s Bulls retirement in 1998.
The month of May hasn’t been the same since. We miss you, MJ.
Let’s proceed with the Six.
TRUMP WAR WITH THE PRESS
I wrote pre-election about the then-former President Trump and his takedown of corporate media. On the campaign, he was combative and adversarial towards what he called the “rigged” press. Now that he’s back in the White House, Trump has begun a full-out assault on what he famously termed “fake news.” This week, Trump went after an ABC reporter during a taped interview and signed an executive order to defund NPR and PBS. He’s been limiting access to heritage news outlets inside the White House. Buckle up for the next 100 days.
GRANDPA BILL AND HIS GIRLFRIEND
Another culture-grabbing media story this week… this involving arguably the most famous coach in America and his girlfriend. Not since Hugh Hefner was alive and dating a harem of young women has there been such a national kerfuffle over an older man/younger lady romance (romance or transaction?) A botched CBS interview went viral this week amongst cries of Belichick’s sweetie pie ordering certain questions not to be asked (like, what’s the deal with their relationship?) Outsiders may view the noise as a distraction from Belichick’s day job as North Carolina head coach, but ESPN columnist Dan Wetzel argues on the side of reason and that the football GOAT thrives in chaos.
WHY CHINESE TARIFFS AREN’T HIGH ENOUGH
100-day polls on Trump reveal a waning confidence from the general public, mostly due his instituting of high tariffs. It remains to be seen how tariffs will impact the US and global economy long-term. Investor Kevin O’Leary, most known as Mr. Wonderful on the “Shark Tank” TV show, believes Trump hasn’t gone far enough, at least with China. O’Leary states his case in this personal essay via The Free Press.
TATTOO AMERICA
As we approach short-sleeved weather… expect to see more ink in exposed skin. A new survey found that American attitudes toward tattoos have shifted substantially in the past 10 years. When the same survey was run in 2015, 26 percent of respondents had a very or somewhat favorable view of tattoos, while 40 percent had an unfavorable one. This time around, the ink’s the thing: 37 percent of respondents had a favorable view of tattoos while just 26 percent felt unfavorable. That’s a fairly drastic 25-point swing in just a decade, a rare achievement for a non-political issue. Women are more likely than men to have a tattoo (30%-19%) and are, unsurprisingly, more comfortable inking a cherry blossom on their forearms than a guy.
THE ALABAMA LANDLINE KEEPS RINGING
I thought this was a cool story… In 1953, the Dean of Students at Auburn University in Alabama opened a help desk phone line that students, and then the general public, could call to get answers to any question. Seven decades later, people are still phoning in! Many callers are people who, for whatever reason, don't use the internet. Some have troubles and just want to talk. And of course, being a college help line, some are drunk people at parties. We’re out of beer!!!!! Send help!
Emily McCrary, Oxford American
GRADUATION DAY
Finally… this weekend is the first of the May graduation season. Graduation speeches have become a thing for celebrities (and presidents). This spring, Snoop Dogg is talking to USC business school grads, actor Steve Carell (“The Office”) to Northwestern and “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan speaks to University of Texas graduates. No doubt some of the speeches will inspire, others will put audience members to sleep. What always works for speech-givers? Pithiness. Short and sweet. No one did concise better than Rodney Dangerfield in his 80’s classic film “Back to School.” No truer words, Rodney!
ICYMI… THIS WEEK IN TKR
*What silence from politicians and public education leaders on trans in sports leaders says about the political landscape in Chicagoland.
Have a suggestion for The Kerr Report? Send email to jonjkerr@gmail.com.