It was about a year ago that Kimbo Slice was getting a beat down on national television, and subsequently ruining any chance of success for Elite XC on CBS. Since then, he's been basically invisible....well up until now. In an attempt to get into the UFC, Kimbo is going on Spike TV's Ultimate Fighter, which begins taping tomorrow....

[Dana] White has called him a “joke,” a “bum” and “not a real fighter,” among other less than kind descriptions. He said that Slice would “get murdered if he fought in the UFC” and suggested that his lightweight champion, 155-pound B.J. Penn, would “annihilate” the 230-pound Slice.

The UFC president has repeatedly insisted he would not allow Slice to compete in the UFC unless he won his way onto the show by competing on “The Ultimate Fighter,” which beings taping Wednesday and is scheduled to air in September.

Slice has called White’s bluff and will appear on Season 10 of the highly rated Spike TV series, White has confirmed. Fighters live in the same house and train together, and then fight during the show in a bid to earn a UFC contract.

His appearance, along with that of former UFC light heavyweight champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans as coaches, should guarantee massive ratings.

“It should be interesting, given some of the things I’ve said about him,” White said.

It's truly amazing how much the NFL runs the world these days. So much so in fact, that CBS is moving the Emmy Awards up a full week due to a combination of NFL games on Sunday, September 20th. CBS has a double header that they're worried will run into the program, but the real reason is the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Giants and Cowboys on NBC. The 20th would also be the television debut of the new Cowboys' stadium, and a move a week up would put the Emmys up against the Bears and Packers, a much better matchup for the network. Via The Hollywood Reporter....

The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards will air a week earlier than previously scheduled.

Originally slated for Sept. 20, the awards show will take place Sept. 13.

The reason: CBS, which carries the Emmys this year, has an NFL doubleheader Sept. 20, which could bleed into primetime and delay the start of the show.

"This is better for the live event, the broadcast and our audience at home," said Jack Sussman, CBS' executive vp specials, music and live events.

The original date for the broadcast was set before the NFL released its 2009 TV schedule.

In addition to preventing a possible delay, the move to Sept. 13 also will pit the primetime Emmys against the lower-profile Bears-Packers NFL game on NBC. Had the Emmys aired Sept. 20, the show would've faced the marquee Giants-Cowboys showdown.

There was one point in time when Joe Buck made me laugh. I think I was 12 at the time, but that's besides the point. In his first commercial for his now show, Joe Buck Live, the Buckster has once again made me chuckle. Here's your first look at the spot for the show which debuts on June 15th at 9pm....

Obviously once we get to the Finals, it isn't much of an "announcing" schedule anymore, but I thought I'd share with you the Final schedule just for the heck of it. Feel free to throw your prediction on the series in the comments as well. Your truly thinks the Lakers take this in five, but hopes he's wrong....

Game 1, THU 6/4 - at LAL (ABC, 9pm) - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 2, SUN 6/7 - at LAL (ABC, 8pm) - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 3, TUE 6/9 - at ORL (ABC, 9pm) - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 4, THU 6/11 - at ORL (ABC, 9pm) - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 5, SUN 6/14 - at ORL (ABC, 8pm)* - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 6, TUE 6/16 - at LAL (ABC, 9pm)* - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 7, THU 6/18 - at LAL (ABC, 9pm)* - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy

A couple of emails popped into the inbox, over the weekend when Orlando clinched, and asked if ABC/ESPN are considering benching Jeff Van Gundy for the Finals. Even though his brother coaches the Magic, I responded that it wasn't likely and that JVG would know what to say and how to say it when asked about Stan and the Magic. Well apparently I was wrong. Jeff Van Gundy told Newsday that he's absolutely rooting for the Magic, and even asked ABC brass if they wanted him to take the Finals off....

Spoke to former Knicks coach and current ESPN/ABC analyst Jeff Van Gundy Sunday about the presence of a certain coach on the bench of one of the teams for the NBA Finals.

"I'm going to try to be as objective as possible," he said, "but I want my brother’s team to win; there’s no question about that."

When Stan Van Gundy's Magic took a 2-1 series lead over the Cavaliers, his younger brother discussed the looming potential conflict with his coordinating producer, Tim Corrigan.

“I said, ‘Hey, listen, if you guys don’t think it’s best for me to call the Finals, I’m fine with that, and I understand,’’’ he said. “I don’t want to compromise anything. They said they wanted me to do it.’’

We all know that Charles Barkley is far from sane, and he even plays by a different set of rules, but this video might finally illustrate just how crazy he really is. After the Magic knocked out the Cavs on Saturday night, Charles not only called Kenny "numbnuts", but he called his producer a "pussy"....