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Recap: 'Saturday Night Live' – Jimmy Fallon and Michael Buble

Another student and fan of great comedy, late-night host Jimmy Fallon, makes his long-awaited return to Saturday Night Live (11:30/10:30c, NBC) as guest host — he has performed in skits since leaving the cast, but never as the main attraction.

It's fitting that Jimmy Fallon would return to Saturday Night Live to host a Christmas episode, and also fitting that he was joined by fellow alum Rachel Dratch to reprise his Pat Sullivan character, with Dratch playing his

VIDEO: Seth Meyers was challenged on SNL's Weekend Update to a Joke Off by former anchors Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey. WATCH here!

AP and NBA referee reach settlement in lawsuit over reporter’s Twitter message

The tweet was sent while Krawczynski was covering the Houston Rockets-Timberwolves game. He heard an exchange between Spooner and Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis during the second period. Sitting courtside, Krawczynski tweeted: “Ref Bill Spooner told Rambis he’d ‘get it back’ after a bad call. Then he made an even worse call on Rockets. That’s NBA officiating folks.”

The settlement also required a mutually agreed upon statement to be released. It explains the decision on the settlement and reads:

“AP and its reporter Jon Krawczynski learned through discovery that referee Bill Spooner and coach Kurt Rambis have both consistently and independently denied that Mr. Spooner told the coach ‘he’d get it back’ in an exchange that occurred after a disputed call against the Timberwolves on Jan. 24, 2011, as Mr. Krawczynski had tweeted from courtside that night. Mr. Spooner has testified that he instead told the coach he would ‘get back’ to him after reviewing videotape of the play during a halftime break.

“The NBA promptly investigated at the time and concluded that Mr. Spooner had acted properly. AP was initially unaware of the investigation and does not contest the NBA’s finding. During the game, Mr. Krawczynski tweeted what he believed he had heard. Mr. Krawczynski acknowledges the possibility that he misunderstood what Mr. Spooner said and has therefore removed the Tweet from his APKrawczynski Twitter feed.”

Sacramento Kings Need A (Premium Cable) Reality Show

With a cast of characters ranging from DeMarcus Cousins to Jimmer Fredette, HBO or Showtime should follow the Kings.

Dec 12, 2011 – Picture it … an NBA team run by two brothers named Joe and Gavin Maloof, both with deep Vegas ties. It’s a team that almost left their quaint little capital city for more populous digs, but in the end stuck around to the delight of a rabid, albeit battered, group of fans. Then, fill said team with an eclectic roster, with half of the players vying to be the team’s leading scorer.

Wouldn’t this make a great reality show? Not a VH-1 kind of reality show like Basketball Wives, but a reality show on a premium channel. Because if you’re going to do a reality show about the Sacramento Kings, there’s going to be cursing.

Not that you won’t hear colorful language following any other NBA squad, or any team in professional sports for that matter. But the Kings are putting together a team that, while exciting to watch, will at times find it difficult to keep everyone happy. Though recently-signed Chuck Hayes is a defensive-minded player who won’t call for the ball, the Kings have quite the cast of gunners:

Marcus Thornton: The recipient of a 4-year contract worth around $31-33 million, he averaged 21.3 ppg in 27 games after the Hornets traded him to the Kings, taking 20+ field goal attempts in 30% of his games in Sacramento.

Tyreke Evans: The 2010 Rookie of the Year fell in love with his outside shot last year, and it led to him scoring 2.3 fewer ppg in 2010-11 even though he took just as many shots (a little more, actually, 16.4 attempts in 2010-11 compared to 16.2 in his rookie season).

John Salmons: Back with the team where he transformed from bench scorer to volume shooter.

Jimmer Fredette: Let’s just say this rookie’s fairly confident in his abilities…

So you have four guards who might average 20 3-pt attempts per game between them, and we haven’t even gotten to the Kings’ most reality show-worthy character, DeMarcus Cousins. Rookie Isaiah Thomas has personality to spare, too. Put it all together, from the owners on down it’s hard to envision a better Hard Knocks or The Franchise kind of show about an NBA team than one featuring the Kings.

Forget the star power of the Heat’s Big 2.5, or the ever-constant pressure faced by the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics in their respective cities. Could those teams possibly top these potential story lines?

Episode One: Party at Gavin’s

The Kings’ owners bring the squad together for a little preseason bonding at Gavin’s $16 million Vegas mansion, as Lil’ Wayne films the sequel video to his hit song “Lollipop.” Jimmer hides in a closet, wondering what he’s gotten himself into.

Episode Two: Only One Basketball

As the Kings host the Los Angeles Lakers, an awkward scene arises as John steals the ball from Marcus, who then has the ball knocked away by Tyreke. Coach Westphal considers altering his rotation.

Episode Three: Not Exactly Kissing Cousins

DeMarcus takes rookie hazing a bit too far when he steals Jimmer’s “sacred underwear” and gives it to Kings mascot Slamson, who unwittingly fires it to a lucky fan with his t-shirt launcher.

Episode Four: Fredette’s First F-Bomb

After DeMarcus fouls him particularly hard during practice, Jimmer drops his first curse word. The Kings immediately accept the rookie as a valued member of the team and the Kings follow with an 11-game win streak where they average 120 ppg.

Episode Five (bonus, if the Kings can lure Andrei Kirilenko away from Russia): Swingin’ Swingman

A look at the unique relationship between Andrei and his wife, former Russian “pop star” Masha Lopatova, who allows Andrei one free groupie per year.

With this team, the possibilities are almost endless (too bad Omri Casspi was traded to the Cavaliers for J.J. Hickson, at least for entertainment purposes, since his relationship with Fredette would probably get its own episode). It’s a win-win for HBO or Showtime, the NBA and the Kings, who with some added publicity (and a winning record) could pave the way to getting the funding needed for a new arena in Sacramento. Plus, it would be ridiculously entertaining.

Check out BASG’s writing on Bay Area Sports Guy. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

Read More: John Salmons (G – SAC), Andrei Kirilenko (F – UTA), Chuck Hayes (C – SAC), Jimmer Fredette (G – Brigham Young), Tyreke Evans (G – SAC), Marcus Thornton (G – SAC), DeMarcus Cousins (C – SAC), New Orleans Hornets, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers

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Bonzi Wells Looking to Make NBA Comeback With Timberwolves

The immortal Bonzi Wells is getting another shot to make a comeback to the League, having received a training camp invite from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reports the Star Tribune: “Now, after playing in China in 2008-09, Puerto Rico in 2009-10 and not at all last season, he is seeking one last chance, mostly so he can leave professional basketball on his own terms. ‘I really didn’t like the way I left the game,’ Wells said. ‘You want to go out and say you’re retired. You don’t want to go out because someone tells you they don’t want you anymore.’ In 2008, Wells couldn’t find a job after his contract with New Orleans — his fifth team in a 10-year NBA career — expired, so he played in obscurity overseas. The Wolves have summoned Wells to camp because he already has played twice for coach Rick Adelman and because he just might satisfy the team’s needs for a 6-5 shooting guard who can defend and play with some muscle. That is, if he’s in shape, a question mark that followed him through a career in which he also fought with coaches, spit on an opponent, made an obscene gesture at a fan and contributed to Portland’s infamous ‘Jail Blazers’ culture when he started his career there. ‘I mean, everybody makes mistakes when you’re young,’ said Wells, who set a Trail Blazers playoff record by scoring 45 points in a game in 2003. ‘People who really knew my story knew I’ve never really been in trouble off the court. On the court, I just played hard and sometimes I played with too much fire. A lot of people thought since I played like that, maybe that’s how I am in real life. That was never the case.’ He came to a mutual understanding with Adelman in both Sacramento and Houston, mostly, he said, because he considers Adelman a ‘straight shooter’ who forms his own opinion on players and demands they behave like a professional and deliver on the court. ‘I’ve had him twice, I know what he can do,’ Adelman said. ‘He’s been through it all. If he’s in shape, he can be a factor because he’s a very physical player and he’s played with our stuff before. He played very good for me. … Different guys mature in different times and at different ages. Hopefully, with the things he has experienced, he is going to have maybe one last shot to play in the league.’”

What is Hanukkah? Festival of Lights to be celebrated Dec. 20-28

Considered a relatively minor holiday in the Jewish year,Hanukkah’s most important ritual activity involves lights. Aspecial menorah – the hanukkiya – is prominently displayed for theoccasion.

The hanukkiya has branches for eight candles, plus a ninth, in themiddle, called the shammash. At sunset on every night of Hanukkah,candles are placed in the hanukkiya from right to left, and thenlit from left to right, one for each day so that the lights growwith the holiday. The shammash is used to light the othercandles.

This Festival of Lights celebrates and commemorates an event inJewish history nearly 2,200 years ago – the resistance mounted bythe Maccabees against the Syrian king, Antiochus IV.

According to the book “All About Hanukkah,” by Judyth Groner,Madeline Wikler and Kinny Kreiswirth, Antiochus was descended fromone of Alexander the Great’s generals, and he promoted Greekculture in all the territories he ruled. He decreed that Jews couldno longer practice the most distinctive aspects of theirculture.

Jews were no longer allowed to worship or study their sacred texts,and an altar to Zeus was set up in the Temple of Jerusalem. Arevolt against Antiochus was mounted, led by a priest namedMattathias and his five sons. They took to the hills near Jerusalemand embarked on a three-year guerrilla war against the rulingSyrian-Greeks.

Mattathias’ son, Judas Maccabeus, took command of the Jewish revoltand eventually ran the Syrians out of Jerusalem. He immediately setabout purifying the Temple. Judas dedicated a new altar andinstituted a new holiday – Hanukkah, which, in Hebrew, means”dedications.” It was originally celebrated to commemorate thevictory over the Syrian-Greek rule.

Hanukkah became the Festival of Lights because when Judas enteredthe Temple, he found only enough ritually pure oil to burn for oneday, but miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, until morepurified oil could be found.

Now, Hanukkah is mainly a celebration of God’s miracle and not theMaccabees’ victory. A Hanukkah prayer thanks God for delivering”the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands ofthe few, the impure into the hands of the pure and the wicked intothe hands of the righteous.”

J.R. Martinez: ‘Inspiration Is Everywhere’

Dancing With the Stars champ J.R. Martinez has captivated the country with his story of strength and courage.

While serving in Iraq in 2003, the Army soldier suffered severe burns when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb. Following his recovery, he traveled around the country speaking about his experience to veterans’ groups, schools, and other organizations. He even took his talents to the small screen in 2008 with a starring role on All My Children.

Now, the 28-year-old star is turning the attention on other local heroes, joining some of Hollywood’s hottest stars as a presenter at the American Giving Awards (AGAs) airing on NBC Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. ET.

The AGAs are the first-ever televised celebrity tribute to community heroes, offering five charities an opportunity to share in $2 million in grants from Chase bank so that they may continue their work helping others.

Parade.com talked to Martinez about joining the star-studded lineup, which includes performers like will.i.am. of the Black Eyed Peas, country music stars Rodney Atkins and LeAnn Rimes, and singers Taio Cruz and Jackie Evancho, as well as presenters Miley Cyrus, Terrence Howard, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and more. He also dished on life post-Dancing With the Stars.

On the American Giving Awards.“Anybody that knows me, knows that I’m all about helping and giving back, so for me to be asked to participate in this event is an honor. I love helping out good people who are doing good things.”

On what inspires him.“Inspiration is everywhere. But when it comes down to one thing, I would have to say that the thing that inspires me is my mother. My mother has persevered through a lot and she raised me and my sister, and she’s an amazing person. She’s definitely my inspiration.”

Famously Donated Paychecks

On his favorite experience post-DWTS.I would have to say being able to go back to Fort Campbell [his former unit in Kentucky]. I’ve been able to go to a lot of events and hang out with a lot of people, but to have the opportunity to visit troops and their families at the first base that I deployed with was the greatest.”

On the positive reaction from the military community, especially Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.“It definitely was amazing to not only get a letter from him, but I also got a call from him the day after Thanksgiving. We spoke for a good 10 minutes, and he said to let him know if I was ever going to be in D.C., and I was actually going to be there the following week. To be able to go to the Pentagon — I mean, he has a lot of things going on and everyone in that building has a lot of things to focus on, and for them to take the time to receive me the way they did, which was like a rock star, was amazing. The military really does stick together. They supported me throughout this whole experience. It was a tremendous honor.”

Photos: Stars Who Served in the Military

On dealing with newfound fame.“I have gotten used to it, actually. For the 10 weeks on the show, I didn’t do any traveling because I was so busy doing rehearsals, so I was kind of secluded from the audience watching the show. In my mind, I was just entertaining the people in the ballroom. I forgot about the millions of people that are on the other side of that camera, so it’s been an eye-opening experience. I’ve taken the time to sign every autograph and take every picture.”

On support from his girlfriend Diana Jones, a production assistant he met on the set of All My Children.“She’s like, ‘This is crazy! Just four months ago, you were an actor and some people recognized you, but nobody cared about me or cared about our life. Now we’re in magazines!’ It has been surreal. At the end of the day, she’s very supportive and just very excited that these opportunities are coming to me.”

He may be the dancing champ, but don’t ask him to show his moves on the spot.“It’s funny because as exciting as it is to win, it’s almost like a curse, too. Now, everywhere I go, everyone wants me to dance. Sometimes I’m going through the airport and I don’t want to dance, I want to board my flight and actually sit in my seat and play Angry Birds on my iPad! I’m actually doing a little dancing though. I did an event in West Palm Beach recently where they auctioned off a dance with me. It’s definitely no Karina [Smirnoff, his DWTS co-champ], but my feet are still moving!

J.R. Martinez’s Most Memorable DWTS Performance

On his plans for the future.“I’m working on writing a book right now. I’m planning to get that out sometime next year. I’m also meeting with my new agent to continue acting and seeing what roles are out there for me. I’m getting into hosting as well or maybe having my own talk show or something along those lines. It’s one of those things that I always thought I’d do. I’m also continuing motivational speaking and heading to people’s cities, so come out and see me!”

On what would surprise people about him.“Everyone saw me on the show as happy and positive, and I definitely am, but I do have a serious, emotional, dark side of me. I’m an emotional guy. There’s a lot that I’ve been through, so it doesn’t take a lot for something to choke me up and get me emotional. Sometimes just reflecting on what I’ve been through really gets me emotional. At times, I could be a serious guy, but there’s a lot of different sides to me. I think I’m a lot funnier and goofier than people were able to see on Dancing With the Stars.”

On staying true to himself.“I’ve continually reminded myself that I never want to change. I could be on the cover of a magazine today, but next week someone else is going to be on that cover. You always have to remain the same person because when those opportunities end, guess what you have? You have you. And if you change from being you, you have nothing anymore.”

Neti pots are dangerous if used improperly, DHH warns

Louisiana health regulators warned residents Tuesday about the dangers of using neti pots improperly. A neti pot, which looks like a genie’s lamp, is commonly used to irrigate sinuses. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals issued its warning following a second death this year caused by Naegleria fowleri, the so-called brain-eating amoeba.

A 51-year-old DeSoto Parish woman died after using tap water in a neti pot to irrigate her sinuses and became infected by the deadly amoeba, which entered the body through her nose. In June, a 20-year-old St. Bernard Parish man died under the same circumstances.

“If you are irrigating, flushing, or rinsing your sinuses, for example, by using a neti pot, use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution,” said Louisiana State Epidemiologist, Dr. Raoult Ratard. “Tap water is safe for drinking, but not for irrigating your nose.”

It’s also important to rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry, he said.

The very rare infection typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater lakes and rivers. In very rare instances, health experts said such infections may also occur when contaminated water from other sources, such as inadequately chlorinated swimming pool water or heated tap water less than 116.6 degrees, enters the nose when people submerge their heads or when people irrigate their sinuses with devices such as a neti pot.

DHH said the amoeba causes the disease primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a brain infection that leads to the destruction of brain tissue. In its early stages, symptoms may be similar to symptoms of bacterial meningitis and can include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck. Later symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations.

After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within one to 12 days.

Jimmer Fredette gets first taste of NBA life with Sacramento Kings

He shook the commissioner’s hand in Madison Square Garden as the10th overall pick.

He’s signed his named on the dotted line officially making him anNBA player.

He’s even seen the local stores in Sacramento, Calif. filled willjerseys that have the name “Fredette” stitched on the back. Tosome, any of those experiences might have been a realization of anNBA life. For Jimmer Fredette, his moment will come five monthsafter meeting David Stern, when he steps on the court on Dec. 26and meets an NBA stalwart, Kobe Bryant.

“It hasn’t really (sunk in) yet,” Fredette said in a phoneinterview Thursday.

“When I step on the floor and play my first game – all it has beenis practice – when I step on the floor against someone like KobeBryant, it will hit me.”

For the city of Sacramento, the feeling hit much sooner.

Three days after the Kings acquired Fredette on draft night fromthe Milwaukee Bucks, fans packed into a Sacramento mall likesardines to celebrate Jimmer’s arrival. The Kings followedsuit.

On the first day he could sign his rookie deal on Dec. 10, theKings’ online store already had Fredette jerseys for sale. A fewdays later, the Glens Falls product saw his name used in every partof speech imaginable: “Got Jimmer?” “Teach Me How to Jimmer,” “Timeto get Jimmered!”

“Yeah that’s kinda cool too. The shirts they come up with,”Fredette said. “People have fun making them and all the differentthings and funny ways they can use the name in one shirt. I’m gladthe fans are excited about the name.”

The hype has been compared to the media storm that has been TimTebow in the recent months. Just like Tebow, Fredette’s faith hasbeen more visible than most modern athletes. One sign at the mallgreeting cleverly said, “The Next King James,” making reference toboth his religion and basketball prowess.

The comparisons continue into their respective sports. The bars forthe two athletes have been set extremely high. Tebow’s recenttriumphs may have inched it even higher. The Kings.com fancorrespondent tweeted this during the team’s media day, “Jimmer:I’m looking forward to playing against Kobe in the opener.Translation: ‘I’m going to drop 50 on him.’ “

In reality, that type of performance isn’t even on his radaryet.

“You just go in and work as hard as you can. You’re excited to bethere, to be a teammate, and be a part of franchise, and be whatyou can in training camp,” Fredette said. “I just want to gain myteammates’ trust and respect on court as quickly aspossible.”

The nearly larger-than-life rookie has tried to stay aslevel-headed as possible. Despite being 2,400 miles away from GlensFalls, he hasn’t forgotten his roots. After his third practice withthe Kings, Fredette wasn’t wearing black or purple and it didn’thave a funny play on words using his name. Instead it was a redT-shirt, with silver letters that spelled out Section IIBasketball.

“Back from Section II, back from New York, people wish me well andI love that area,” Fredette said. “That’s always going to behome.”

He doesn’t have a place to call home in Sacramento yet. This yearhe’ll be reserved to renting. The plan, for now at least, is to buya house in the area next year after he gets married to fianceeWhitney Wonnacott.

“The people are very, very excited about their basketball here,”Fredette said. “They definitely love their sports. It’s definitelya bigger town. It’s a big city. It’s not too similar to GlensFalls, but once I get to know people I’m sure it will be likehome.”

One constant that has followed Fredette from Glens Falls, to Provo,Utah and now to Sacramento is basketball. At each stop he’s had tostart over. The NBA is no different. His points at Glens Falls andBYU mean nothing now. His player of the year award won’t show up inhis NBA resume.

“It’s been fun. I’m now in the NBA and I need to move forward withan NBA career,” Fredette said. “That’s kind of what happens; youmove on, you have to prove yourself again.”

He’s only had a handful of practices, a scrimmage and one preseasongame, but Fredette’s already caught his teammates’ attention.They’ve already taken notice of the jumper that made Jimmer ahousehold name at BYU. It’s also the jumper that has already madehim the most recognizable King for most basketball fans.

He’s the centerpiece of the front page of the team’s website andwhile just completing his first full week with the Kings, healready has the second-most items in the team store. Still histeammates won’t let him forget he’s just a rookie.

Before practice, Fredette and fellow rookies have to bringbreakfast for their veteran teammates. After practice they’re stillat their teammates’ mercy, making sure the court is clean of anydebris. For Fredette though, it’s all a part of his NBAexperience.

“I’m still an NBA basketball player. It’s the rookie hazing, I’mgonna go through my dues and all that,” Fredette said. “It doesn’treally bother me. I’d probably pick up the bottles anyway.”

Neti pot deaths caused by brain-eating amoeba

Health officials are warning people about the dangers of using neti pots improperly after two deaths are caused by brain-eating amoeba introduced into the sinuses by the pots.

A neti pot, which looks like a genie’s lamp, is commonly used to irrigate sinuses. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals issued its warning following a second death this year caused by Naegleria fowleri, the so-called brain-eating amoeba.

"If you are irrigating, flushing, or rinsing your sinuses, for example, by using a neti pot, use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution," said Louisiana State epidemiologist Raoult Ratard. "Tap water is safe for drinking, but not for irrigating your nose."

It’s also important to rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry, he said.

The rare infection typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater lakes and rivers. In rare instances, health experts said such infections may also occur when contaminated water from other sources, such as inadequately chlorinated swimming pool water or heated tap water less than 116.6 degrees, enters the nose when people submerge their heads or when people irrigate their sinuses with devices such as a neti pot.

The department said the amoeba causes the disease primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a brain infection that leads to the destruction of brain tissue. In its early stages, symptoms may be similar to symptoms of bacterial meningitis and can include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck. Later symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations.

After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within one to 12 days.

Ricky Rubio Gearing Up For Timberwolves Opener

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Ricky Rubio will make his unofficial debut with the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday night as they host the Milwaukee Bucks in preseason basketball at the Target Center.

Even though it doesn’t count for anything, it will be Rubio’s first game with the Timberwolves since being picked in the NBA Draft two years ago.

WCCO-TV sat down with Rubio recently to get his thoughts on playing in the NBA, playing for the Timberwolves and living in Minnesota.

Mike Max: Ricky, you’ve arrived and now it’s time to play basketball. You don’t have a whole lot of time to get ready, so what do you try and do here. What do you try to get out of this training camp?

Rubio: Oh it’s always a little bit scary because you don’t know how it’s going to work and how it’s going to happen, but I have only one thing on my mind: I have to enjoy it because it’s been a dream come true, it’s been crazy and I’m going to enjoy it for sure.

Mike Max: What should people expect from you? What is it that you’re going to bring to this team right now?

Rubio: I don’t know exactly yet because I haven’t talked with the coaches to see what they’re expecting from me and what I can do to help the team.

Mike Max: There’s a lot of pressure on you, I don’t know if you put it on yourself, but do you feel that? Do you feel the pressure of what people are expecting from you and all eyes being on you?

Rubio: Of course I feel pressure because everybody is talking about what I can do, what we can do, but when you get on the court and play you forget all those things. You just want to enjoy playing, enjoy what you’ve been doing since you were a kid.

Mike Max: Were you shocked when you got off the airplane and you came here to sign your contract with how many people were waiting for you?

Rubio: It was amazing. I was wondering who was behind me and what they were waiting for, but I really appreciate what they did. I really appreciate the warmth that people showed me and show the team. Other people talk about Minnesota and explained to me about how nice the people are and how they support the team, and that’s important.