Just last week, America’s oldest man passed away at 112 years old. But a 114-year-old woman is slated to become the oldest person in the world.

Gertrude Baines from California said she led the life God wanted, which has contributed to her life’s longevity.

Baines takes the title from Portugal’s Maria de Jesus, who held the title for just more than a month. Prior to that, the record was back in the United States with Indiana’s Edna Parker, who had the title for more than a year.

It just so happens that Parker is a local Philadelphia celebrity. She was featured in the very popular Cut to the Chase column, “Notable deaths of 2007: gone but not forgotten.”

Small world, eh?

“Gee, that looks familiar,” I thought to myself. A few words, followed by a colon, followed by more words.

“Hmm…interesting setup.”

And then I read.

It seems the Phillies have plagiarized off my column. That’s right. As in the picture above, the Phillies stole the soon-to-be trademarked Cut to the Chase name for promoting second baseman Chase Utley’s All-Star lead.

OK, so it’s not trademarked. And the Phillies didn’t plagiarize. But I’m on a plagiarizing fix these days.

Regardless, I’m flattered that the Phillies have chosen to use the name of a prestigious, thoughtful column to advertise their truly unstoppable second baseman.

Next thing I know, Wheel of Fortune will be stealing the name of this blog post for a Before & After puzzle.

But the latest package I saw, which just aired on CBS3 tonight, takes a different look.

Tonight, Robin Mackintosh (of all reporters) introduced us to the Men’s Guide to Sex and the City.

His interviews consisted of fans who informed us of all the characters, from Carrie to… OK, so I wasn’t paying so much attention that I learned their names, but give me some credit.

It’s a funny, unusual take what you may have seen before. For the diehard fans, it’s nothing new. In fact, it may be repetitive. But odds are, if you’re a diehard fan, you’re a woman. So this report isn’t really for you in the first place, is it?

Well, unless, of course, you’re not a fan.

But in any case, enjoy this report. And if you don’t, enjoy the fact that Robin Mackintosh is the one with the assignment.

So apparently, Clay Aiken will soon be a proud father.

Seriously, who’d a thought?!

No, the former almost-American Idol isn’t married.  Nor does he have a girlfriend.  And no, he’s not a pregnant man.

Instead, through artificial insemination, Aiken knocked up his 40-something producer friend who he lives with when he’s in the Los Angeles area.

Any thoughts on names yet?  Or how about thoughts on an outcome better or worse than Sean Preston Federline?

In tonight’s show, each contestant sang three songs. The first was chosen by the judges, the second chosen by the contestant and the third chosen by the producers.

Yes, the producers.

The producers, who should have no impact on the results of the show. The producers, who allow America to vote on their favorite song of the night. The producers, who have oh-so-much power in their hands.

It seems to me that the producers attempted sabotage – I said it – sabotage on tonight’s show. After an “OK middle round,” as Simon called it (side note – AI quote of the week – Simon compared David Archuleta’s second song as “a chihuahua trying to be a lion”), the producers chose the third song.

David A.’s – forgettable. Some mushy ballad with little room for variation.

Syesha’s – some pop song I’ve heard but have no interest in hearing again.

David Cook’s – Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” – the most recognizable, most appropriate song in the competition.

By giving D.C. a pop ballad by Aerosmith – perhaps the most well known modern pop ballad possible – the producers give him an edge in the competition. As he performed on stage, literally surrounded by the entire string section of the orchestra, the entire studio emitted an aura of This is the David Cook Show.

And the other two? Eh. Let’s just put them on a stool and see what they can do with this song.

The purpose of AI is to have the people choose the winner based on what the artists choose as their song. Sure, a pick by the judges is OK as long as it’s counterbalanced by a pick from the contestant. But the contestants batted 1 for 3 tonight. Even the judges criticized the song selection.

If that’s not telling you something, I don’t know what is.

The producers gave an advantage to a contestant who probably would need no advantage anyway to get in the finals. They took away a shot at an up-and-coming Idol – Syesha – for making it to the finale. And they made Americans cringe at favorite David A.

Way to ruin the credibility of your show, producers. Let’s just see about a 2009 season.

This seems like an awkward choice. What has Mr. Fallon been doing with himself since SNL? Yeah, there was that whole Fever Pitch thing, but that’s it, right?

Of all potential comedians out there, Fallon doesn’t seem like the funniest choice. Yeah, there were some good “Weekend Update” moments. But what else is there?

NBC seemed so anxious to replace Jay Leno a few years ago when he announced his retirement in 2009 to prevent another Leno-Letterman debacle (not that there was much competition this time), but this response is coming a little early in NBC time.

Only time (in 2009) will tell.

Original post from Broad & Cecil.

Former CBS3 reporter Dick Standish is doing fine after fainting at his retirement party Wednesday.

Standish’s last day on the air was Wednesday at 4 p.m. Afterwards, after having a Coors Light at Finnigan’s Wake, he fainted for drinking on a light stomach, according to an article by Inquirer Daily News local news guru Dan Gross.

The above photo was taken by CBS3 reporter Jamie Smith, who visited Standish at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania on Thursday. The trooper that he is, Standish let Smith take a photo of him in his hospital gown.

Standish retired from CBS3 after more than 29 years at the station.

On a personal note, I worked closely with Standish while interning at CBS3 last summer, and I couldn’t have worked with a better person. He’s a good citizen, an excellent reporter and an overall great guy. He’ll be missed at CBS3.

CHRIS STOVER
The Temple News

Remember when the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League debuted in 1943?

Regardless if you were born or not, you probably know little about it. Unless you’ve seen A League of Their Own.

But how much do you, in fact, know based on the flick? Former leaguer Doris Sams said the movie was “about 30 percent truth and 70 percent Hollywood.”

If you’re going to fabricate info, let’s just lie like God’s not watching.

Prime example: director Oliver Stone plans to release a movie by either the November election or January presidential inauguration entitled W., an account of the life and presidency of George W. Bush.

Political views aside, shouldn’t history take its course for a few years to see the effects of the Bush administration more clearly? There shouldn’t be any rush to create a movie based on actual events. Perhaps that’s why controversy ensued when Stone created World Trade Center less than five years after the terrorist attack.

But hey, who am I to stop the entire centrifugal motion of Hollywood? One man can’t elicit much change. Though, I elect to help the cause by giving Tinsel Town somewhat uninteresting storylines based on actual events to appease the wallets of executives.

FAST LANE

What do you get when you cross a successful television anchor, a New York City cop and a few choice curse words? Hollywood magic.

Based on the true story of Philadelphia anchor Alycia Lane, Fast Lane will give you a personal insight into the Latina bombshell the NYPD didn’t want you to see.

It was a cold night when Lane and her lowlife radio boyfriend decided to punch a female cop in the face. But it was a night that began the rest of her life.

At the ripe age of 34, the anchor decides to write her memoirs, something typically reserved for people who have actually achieved something in their lives. But the guilt becomes too much to bear as she watches repeat episodes of NYPD Blue on TNT every day.

Starring Meryl Streep as Lane (trust me, it works) and Larry Mendte as himself, Fast Lane will have you holding on for your life – as much as chronicling the tales of a fallen news anchor can, at least.

IDOL CHATTER

What happens when a presidential candidate attempts stand-up comedy in the midst of his campaign trail? Let’s just say the Titanic has a better shot of being resurrected.

Based on the true story of Sen. John McCain, Idol Chatter will leave you wishing the United States had a monarchy.

After a guest stint on The Late Show with David Letterman and a taped skit on American Idol, McCain decides he wants to give the strenuous comedy circuit a shot.

But his Republican tradition follows him as his audience approval rating continues to plummet. Distressed and confused, the senator must find a balance between his bruised funny bone (he actually hurt it in an incident involving a microphone stand and a sock puppet) and the quest for presidential anarchism.

You’ve seen American Dreamz – actually, you probably haven’t – but now there’s Idol Chatter. Guaranteed to be the best date movie since Saw III.

BRANGELINA PLUS 34

One is to blame for helping to begin the tradition of combining the names of celebrity couples into one cohesive moniker. The other likes kids. Lots and lots of kids.

So is the inspiration behind Brangelina Plus 34. Based on the true story of an unknown Hollywood power couple’s never-ending adoption and pregnancy cycle, Brangelina is sure to make even Catholics shudder.

It started on a trip to Africa, when Angelina decided to adopt a few kids. After Brad broke up with his Friend too good for him, he decided to travel with Angelina. Once they both decided they liked kids equally as much, they became the proud parents of 32.

But what’s an adoption tale without a surprise pregnancy ending and a twist consisting of exes? A pregnant Angelina (with twins!) must make the tough decision between a life of extreme domesticity and a life with Billy Bob Thornton. The decision may seem easy, but emotions run high.

But always remember – there’s no crying in parenthood!

Chris Stover can be reached at stover@temple.edu.

I feel bad for this woman.  She seems like such a composed, conservative lady. 

You can tell this guy’s heart sank as soon as he said it…

Here’s the latest involving a Fox News anchor.  We’ll see Shepard Smith at the end, who had his own issues on air.