More stars are born...Will Jones and Jeffrey Alan Gutt on the X Factor.

So far this season, I'm liking the X Factor better than The Voice.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I'll be flying solo on Daily Kos Radio from 11 to noon Eastern today.

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Open Thread.

I'll be flying solo on Daily Kos Radio from 11 to noon Eastern today. Discussing this post and I will be doing a review of the state of the race from the Electoral College perspective, with a discussion of the RV (registered voter) vs. LV (likely voter) issue.

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Open Thread.

I'll be flying solo on Daily Kos Radio from 11 to noon Eastern today. Discussing "the video."

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Open Thread.

Weeds ends tonight, for good, with an hour long finale. I could watch a few more seasons.

Boardwalk Empire begins a new season tonight.

The new judges for American Idol are set: Mariah Carey, Nicki Minnaj and Keith Urban. Is Keith the counter to Blake Shelton on the Voice? Randy Jackson is back as the fourth judge. Check out these salaries:

According to sources, Carey’s contract with the show, factoring in allowances for wardrobe, hair and makeup, is worth close to $18 million. Minaj will pocket a cool $12 million for her part with Urban coming in at half the price. Seacrest earns $15 million a year and is committed to the show for two more seasons. The new judges are locked in for one year. Worth noting: Jackson also co-manages Carey.

What Idol needs is better contestants. The last couple of seasons have been boring. The Voice and X-Factor have better singers. This is an open thread, all topics, tv-related or not, welcome.

Today's picks:

Michigan State -6 over Notre Dame (5 units), Georgia -42 over Florida Atlantic (2 units), Houston +17 over UCLA (2 units), LSU -42½ over Idaho (2 units), Mississippi +10 over Texas, Utah +3½ over BYU (2 units), Boise State -21 over Miami Ohio (2 units), Georgia Tech -10 over Virginia (2 units), Ohio State -17 over California (3 units), Mississippi State -16 over Troy, Northwestern -3½ over Boston College (2 units), Virginia Tech -10½ over Pittsburgh, USC -9 over Stanford (5 units), Nebraska -23 over Arkansas State, Texas A&M -11 over SMU, Arkansas +20 over Alabama, Connecticut -3 over Maryland, TCU -21 over Kansas (2 units).

EPL specials - Chelsea (-1) and Manchester City (-1).

SEASON RECORD - 19-20 ATS, -4 investment units.

Open Thread.

Busy day. No blogging by me.

Open Thread.

Here's the podcast from my show today on Daily Kos Radio:

The 11 Show Daily Kos Radio 09.13.2012 by Blue Skies Radio

NBC release polls for Florida, Ohio and Virginia, President Obama leads in each among Likely voters. In Florida and Virginia, he leads by 5, and in Ohio he leads by 7.

Open Thread.

I'll be flying solo on Daily Kos Radio from 11 to noon Eastern today.

How to Listen to Daily Kos Radio:

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Open Thread.

The iPhone 5 debuts.

The X-Factor premieres, pitted against The Voice and Big Brother. Does anyone want to see Brittany Spears as a mean judge or Demi Lovato? I'm not expecting much from either of them. Simon and LA Reid will be more interesting. But three nights of The Voice in one week is a little much.

In more important matters, the Marines are headed to Libya, the US is launching a terrorist hunt there, and Mitt Romney has interminable foot in mouth disease -- and no comprehension of foreign policy.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I'll be flying solo on Daily Kos Radio from 11 to noon Eastern today. The topic of discussion will be the events in Egypt and Libya, and the terrible film championed by Terry Jones, the infamous Koran burner, that ignited them. I'll also discuss the responses to events by the Obama Administration and the Romney political campaign.

How to Listen to Daily Kos Radio:

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Open Thread.

I'll be sitting in for David Waldman this morning on Daily Kos Radio from 9 to 10 Eastern.

How to Listen to Daily Kos Radio:

Can't see the Flash player? Click here to download the stream directly.

Open Thread.