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Coffee Talk #251: Your Greatest Gaming Comebacks

I was playing a game of WordFeud for Android against a random player. He/she had two of the three 10-letter tiles and busted out two seven-letter words. I was getting slaughtered…but I kept with it.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the RPad.tv merchandise sale, Bud Selig expanding the MLB playoffs, or San Antonio Spurs players hiding their wives from Tony Parker, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I was playing a game of WordFeud for Android against a random player. He/she had two of the three 10-letter tiles and busted out two seven-letter words. I was getting slaughtered…but I kept with it. Through a combination of clever letter placement, dumb luck, and poor choices by my opponent, I ended up winning the game. It was a glorious and I almost sent my opponent a message that said, “Don’t call it a comeback!”

Do you have any stories like that? Have you had any ridiculous gaming comebacks where the odds were completely stacked against you but you managed to pull out a victory? I’d love to hear your stories. Share and be proud!

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

This will surprise some of you: I’m going to try to play Call of Duty: Blacks Ops this weekend. It’s not my usual deal, but some friends of mine are trying to rope me into playing online…and I’ll probably oblige them so that they’ll shut up. Aside from that, I need to get some SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 game time in, as well as my usual WordFeud for Android juggling. To be completely honest, there’s a chance I’ll disappear for a few hours this afternoon to catch Harry Potter 7a.

How about you? What’s on your weekend playlist?

Last Call: RPad.tv Merchandise Sale

Here’s a friendly reminder that the RPad.tv swag sale ends tomorrow. Whether it’s a t-shirt, hoodie, coffee cup, or beer mug, I’d appreciate any purchases you can make. Your support is what keeps this site going! Here are the coupon codes:

Here’s a friendly reminder that the RPad.tv swag sale ends tomorrow. Whether it’s a t-shirt, hoodie, coffee cup, or beer mug, I’d appreciate any purchases you can make. Your support is what keeps this site going! Here are the coupon codes:

Coupon Codes:
FALL2010 $5 off subtotal of $25+
HARVEST2010 $10 off subtotal of $50+
AUTUMN2010 $20 off subtotal of $100+

Disclaimer:
Please enter coupon code FALL2010, HARVEST2010, or AUTUMN2010 before completing checkout. Discount is applied to the subtotal and does not include shipping, taxes, or additional charges. This offer may not be combined with other offers. Coupons valid from 11/14/2010 12:00 am to 11/20/2010 11:59 pm Mountain time.

Thanks in advance!

Exclusive: Heroes’ Greg Grunberg Confirms Role in L.A. Noire

In the immortal words of that Spike TV guy, I have a “worldwide exclusive”! Heroes actor Greg Grunberg confirmed his role in Rockstar Games’ upcoming L.A. Noire at EA’s Need for Speed Hot Pursuit launch event. The video above features Grunberg talking about the game and the unique motion capture used by Depth Analysis. Check it out and let me know what you think (please)!

ESPN Slams Kobe Bryant Over Call of Duty Commercial

ESPN The Magazine senior writer Tim Keown blasted Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant for appearing in the commercial for Call of Duty: Black Ops. He preys on ignorant readers’ sympathies by weaving a tale of teen-aged boys killed by gun violence and ties it to Bryant appearing in a commercial for an M-rated game. Here’s a clip from this amazingly irresponsible article:

Seriously, is that really Kobe Bryant carrying an assault weapon with the word “MAMBA” on the barrel? Did Kobe Bryant, the highest-paid player in the NBA, take money not only to advertise a shooting game but actually shoot — or simulate shooting — an automatic weapon while doing it? None of his people, not his wife or his agent or someone in the NBA offices, advised him against this?

I love ESPN — the network, the web site, and the magazine — so I was incredibly disappointed by Keown’s piece-of-crap article. Keown is a fine writer, but it was totally bush league of him not to mention that the game is rated M by the ESRB. I don’t believe for a second that he (or his editors) didn’t know this.

As some of you know, I’ve hated Bryant ever since he waved off a Karl Malone pick in an all-star game. I can’t believe I’m defending the alleged rapist, but Keown’s attack is ignorant and irresponsible. Sadly, people will buy into because he leaves out details like the game’s ESRB rating and intended audience. Ugh.

Source

Athletes Should Stop Texting (Tony Parker, Eva Longoria)

Athletes really need to cut it out with the naughty text messaging. Recently, Minnesota Viking’s Brett Favre was accused of sending SMS messages of his schlong to a woman. Now Eva Longoria has filed for divorce from San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker over sexually explicit text messages to and from Erin Barry (soon to be ex-wife of ex-teammate Brent Barry).

This sounds like a bad network drama. Longoria is hot and Parker is…well, French. He’s (allegedly) cheating on her with his ex-teammates wife?!? That’s crazy (Brian Fellow)!!! My favorite part of this situation is that Saved by the Bell’s Mario Lopez was the one that spilled the beans (he’s pals with Longoria). The affair isn’t as crazy as Justin Timberlake (allegedly) sleeping with Olivia Munn behind Jessica Biel’s back, but it’s pretty nuts.

I’m waiting for a general manager to prohibit his or her players from texting and tweeting. Some of them need to be saved from themselves.

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Binary Thoughts on the Green Lantern Trailer

If you haven’t seen the trailer for the upcoming Green Lantern movie then check it out (embedded above). As a huge fan of the GL comics, I had mix thoughts on the trailer. Let’s break it down binary style.

If you haven’t seen the trailer for the upcoming Green Lantern movie then check it out (embedded above). As a huge fan of the GL comics, I had mix thoughts on the trailer. Let’s break it down binary style.

Good: I loved seeing the supporting characters. I marked out when Abin Sur, Tomar-Re, Sinestro, and Kilowog were on the screen. The aliens look frickin’ awesome and I’m already excited for a sequel with a yellow-ringed Sinestro. It’s also kind of cool that Jango Fett is playing Abin.

Bad: I never liked Hector Hammond. He looks like a nob in the comic books. He absolutely looked like a nob in the trailer. There’s no way to make this character look cool. Peter Sargaard is a fine actor, but I sincerely doubt he can make this character interesting.

Good: Ryan Reynolds looks great as Hal Jordan. When he first started ring slinging, Jordan was young, brash, and reckless. I absolutely get that feel from Reynolds. Perhaps that’s why he snagged Scarlett Johansson….

Bad: I really hate the Green Lantern costume Reynolds wears. The ridges bother me. I said this before, but it’s worth repeating: the costume looks like a green piece of salmon nigiri.

Bad: I’m not digging Blake Lively as Carol Ferris. She’s too damsel-in-distress and doesn’t seem like someone that’s in charge of a large aviation company. Perhaps I’ll change my mind if she appears in a purple bikini in the sequel as Star Sapphire.

My initial vibe is that it’ll be okay, but hardly one of the best superhero movies. As a Green Lantern mark, I’m sure I’m going to enjoy it. Please check out the trailer and let me know what you think!

The Situation + Bristol Pailin = Hilarity

This safe sex commercial featuring Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino (Jersey Shore) and Bristol Pailin is one of the funniest things I’ve seen all year. The Situation says a form of “situation” 18 times as he promotes safe sex. Meanwhile, Bristol Pailin promotes abstinence. The spot is funny on so many (mostly unintentional) levels. Check it out and share your thoughts (please)!

Coffee Talk #250: Choose Your Own Coffee Talk!

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the RPad.tv merchandise sale, football on Thursdays, or the return of the Microsoft Kin, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I’ve been wanting to do a mailbag type of thing for a while, but not in a straight-up way. Instead, I’m going to ask you to ask me some questions. If you have any questions for me about covering videogames, the developers I’ve met, crazy events, etc., please ask them and I’ll use them for a future Coffee Talk column. I’m counting on you to come up with some fun stuff for me to expand on. After all, your participation is what makes my site worth visiting. Now kindly put on your thinking caps (what the hell is a thinking cap anyway?) and get asking!

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Celebrity Launch Video

Here’s my video from last night’s launch party for Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. Entourage’s Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara were on hand to follow up the fine work they did in the game’s commercials. I also caught up with Playboy Playmate Jenna Bentley, 24’s Roger Cross, Heroes’ Greg Grunberg, and more. Since RPadholic N8R mentioned her in a comment, I was sure to get some footage of Shannyn Sossamon too! Please, please, please check out the video and let me know what you think!

Confession: when I started editing this piece, I was still drunk from the party. I’ve written previews and opinion pieces while buzzed, but this is the first time I edited a video while inebriated. I think it’s a fun clip…but I’ll have to watch it again after I wake up. Ha!

Also, what do you think was up with Ethan Embry last night? I found him thoroughly entertaining…but a bit strange.