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NBC Reporter Throws Around Conservative Label but Can’t Call Rangel A Lib

Posted on September 15, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell, on Wednesday’s Today show, in reporting about the results from yesterday’s primaries threw around the conservative label around as she identified several Republicans that way but for some reason when it came to reporting on Democrat Charlie Rangel’s win couldn’t manage to attach the “liberal” label to the ethics challenged Congressman. O’Donnell began her piece noting that “Democrats are suddenly very excited” about their chances of winning the Delaware primary seat due to “the conservative rebellion” that led to Republican Christine O’Donnell’s win in that primary, adding that “conservative Christine O’Donnell was propelled by several Tea Party groups.” And later O’Donnell even relayed the Democratic spin that O’Donnell was “an ultra right wing extremist.” However when it came to talking about Rangel’s primary win, the NBC correspondent, didn’t bother to attach an ideological label, merely calling him “20-term Congressman Charlie Rangel.” In total, Kelly O’Donnell used the “conservative” label five times in her piece but never once labeled any of the Democrats brought up in her story a liberal. The following is the full O’Donnell story as it was aired on the September 15 Today show: MEREDITH VIEIRA: But let’s begin with the results of the final primaries before November’s midterm elections and what they mean for both parties. We’re gonna talk to Christine O’Donnell about her surprise victory in Delaware, in just a moment. But first NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell has the latest. Kelly, good morning to you. [On screen headline: “Life Of The Tea Party, Upset Win In GOP Race For Biden’s Senate Seat”] KELLY O’DONNELL: Good morning, Meredith. Well the Tea Party has toppled conventional wisdom again and here in Delaware, the result is both shocking and convincing because it wasn’t close. The most popular Republican in the state, Mike Castle, he is out. Democrats are suddenly very excited and O’Donnell says don’t count her out in a fight to get the seat that Joe Biden held for 36 years. CHRISTINE O’DONNELL: Ladies and gentlemen, the people of Delaware have spoken. KELLY O’DONNELL: The conservative rebellion rolled over Delaware’s Republican Party brass. CHRISTINE O’DONNELL: Don’t ever underestimate the power of we the people! KELLY O’DONNELL: An upset hard to imagine just a few weeks ago. Conservative Christine O’Donnell was propelled by several Tea Party groups and that movement’s most famous figure. CHRISTINE O’DONNELL: You betcha! There’s another woman I gotta thank. You betcha! Thank you Governor Palin for your endorsement. KELLY O’DONNELL: O’Donnell was ridiculed and written-off by other Republicans as unelectable. She had never won before, but knocked out Congressman Mike Castle who had never lost in a dozen races. Castle did not offer his congratulations. REP. MIKE CASTLE: The voters in the Republican Party have spoken and I respect that decision. KELLY O’DONNELL: Castle had called O’Donnell unqualified. (Begin ad clip) ANNOUNCER: She didn’t pay thousands in income taxes. (End clip) KELLY O’DONNELL: Animosity was so intense, the state Republican Party paid for robo-calls where O’Donnell’s past campaign manager attacked her. (Begin clip of robo-call) UNIDENTIFIED CAMPAIGN MANAGER: I found out that she was living on campaign donations, using them for rent and personal expenses while leaving her workers unpaid and piling up thousands in debt. (End clip) KELLY O’DONNELL: O’Donnell denies misusing funds. She claims her own financial hard times actually help her understand voters’ anger. CHRISTINE O’DONNELL: A lot of people have already said that we can’t win the general election. I know. KELLY O’DONNELL: Democratic officials are gleeful and called her an ultra right wing extremist. Ironically, her supporters used an Obama slogan to predict victory in November. O’DONNELL SUPPORTERS AT RALLY CHANTING: Yes We Can! KELLY O’DONNELL: Turning to New Hampshire’s GOP Senate primary, a tight race too close to call. Former state attorney general, Kelly Ayotte, the choice of both the Republican establishment and Sarah Palin against a Tea Party endorsed conservative activist Ovide Lamontagne. On to New York, where the Republican nominee for governor is another Tea Party conservative . Real estate developer Carl Paladino over the party favorite former Congressman Rick Lazio, while New York Democrats stood by 20-term Congressman Charlie Rangel who’s accused of House ethics violations. Rangel beat back several challengers. REP. CHARLIE RANGEL: I go back to Washington stronger than I have ever been. KELLY O’DONNELL: And back here in Delaware, Democrats didn’t have a primary fight for the Senate seat, so Chris Coons is their candidate in November. O’Donnell who has worked as a media consultant for conservative non-profit groups says that she is hoping to get donations, even though the national party is reluctant to get behind her. And she also hopes to get the endorsement of Mike Castle. That has not happened. She is calling for unity, isn’t sure if she can expect it but says the Tea Party is behind her.

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NBC Reporter Throws Around Conservative Label but Can’t Call Rangel A Lib

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Scarborough: ‘I Blame Sarah Palin’ For O’Donnell Win

Posted on September 15, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Joe Scarborough believes Christine O’Donnell’s win has cost Republicans the Delaware Senate seat and their best shot at a Senate majority.  And the Morning Joe host made no bones about singling out the person he considers responsible: “I blame Sarah Palin,” said Scarborough bluntly on today’s show. Scarborough’s comment came not long after Morning Joe aired a clip of Karl Rove’s scalding comments about O’Donnell, which I noted here last night, in which among other things the former Bush adviser declared that O’Donnell “doesn’t evince the characteristics of rectitude and truthfulness and sincerity and character that voters are looking for.” Said Scarborough: “I agree with Karl Rove.” JOE SCARBOROUGH: I remember learning that Mike Castle was going to run for Senator. I was very excited about it because I understood that if the Republican party were to be a national party, the Republican party would need to win states like Delaware.  And Mike Castle would give Republicans the best chance to win that Senate seat in a long, long–in decades.  That opportunity’s gone now, and I just wonder: does the Republican party have what it takes to be a national party again? A bit later came the airing of Rove’s scalding comments to Sean Hannity last night about O’Donnell, which notably came after the race had been called in her favor. SCARBOROUGH: I haven’t said this in awhile: I agree with Karl Rove . I mean, I agree with him. And, finally came this from Scarborough, speaking to Pat Buchanan [who by the way mentioned he sat up in bed and let out a whoop last night when he heard O’Donnell won] . . . SCARBOROUGH: I blame—and I’ll just say it: I blame Sarah Palin for last night.  I blame Sarah Palin. If Republicans do not win this Senate seat, it’s Sarah Palin, it falls on Sarah Palin’s shoulders. You were talking about how this helps Sarah Palin and other people do. Guess what?  If we’re one, if we as a Republican party are one vote short of a majority in 2012, I will come on the next morning—in 2010— I’ll come on the next morning and say it’s all Sarah Palin’s fault. She decided to do the reckless political thing and select somebody she knew couldn’t win in Delaware.

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Rick Sanchez: Some ‘Far-Right’ Tea Partiers Wouldn’t Vote for Reagan, Too Liberal

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

CNN’s Rick Sanchez thinks that Ronald Reagan wouldn’t even be conservative enough for certain members of the Tea Party. In lieu of tomorrow’s Republican Senate Primary in Delaware, Sanchez gave his take on the prospect of the state’s Tea Party voters ousting another moderate Republican establishment candidate in favor of a more conservative choice. “But you know what’s interesting about this,” Sanchez remarked, “I mean if you put this in perspective, Ronald Reagan would be taken out of the mix by some of these more far-Right Tea Party folks. Richard Nixon would never have become the President of the United States.” “I mean, there’s really a move that comes not even right-of-center, really far Right, pushing out the guys that are closer to the middle,” Sanchez stated. He asked if it wouldn’t be harder for Republicans to win an election with a fringe candidate rather than with an establishment candidate. Meanwhile, CNN correspondent Jessica Yellin disagreed with him over his assessment of Tea Party voters and Reagan. “One, I suspect many Tea Party activists would disagree with you on Ronald Reagan, because Reagan is a hero to many of them,” Yellin responded. But Sanchez wouldn’t budge. “We would quibble back with immigration, for example. Ronald Reagan would say – Ronald Reagan would be called by anyone in the Tea Party today a “pro-amnesty Republican. That’s what he would be called.” “Well, everybody reads history the way they want,” Yellin answered. Sanchez described the establishment candidate in the primary, Congressman Mike Castle, as “respectable” and “conservative enough” for the region. Castle has a lifetime ACU rating of 52. A transcript of the segment, which aired on September 13, at 3:21 p.m. EDT, is as follows: RICK SANCHEZ, CNN anchor: Not finding Congressman Mike Castle, Republican, conservative enough, the Tea Party is now pushing candidate Christine O’Donnell in the Republican primary. And Jessica Yellin’s all over this primary for us. I mean, this is interesting. Because, you know, once again, you got a guy like Mike Castle, most people think Mike is a, you know, respectable, Republican, conservative enough, especially considered for his region. I mean, we’re talking about a Republican from the Northeast, we’re not talking about an Arizona Republican for example. And yet, they want to crush this guy. What’s going on? JESSICA YELLIN: Well he’s a middle-of-the-road Republican in a state that’s pretty middle-of-the-road, and he’s very well-known and popular statewide, Rick. But he – but tomorrow when the primary is held, only Republicans can vote. Democrats and Independents cannot vote in it. So it’s a close primary, and this year you know what has happened to moderate, middle-of-the-road Republicans. They’ve largely been targeted by these Tea Party candidates, and the latest development is that Sarah Palin has now recorded a robo-call for Castle’s opponent, Christine O’Donnell, which she’s broadcasting on the radio here. And it essentially accuses “establishment Republicans” of being desperate in trying to smear O’Donnell with “vicious” personal attacks. So it’s become very personal, very mean, in a state that really is not used to this kind of harsh campaigning. It’s very new to Delaware voters. SANCHEZ: But you know what’s interesting about this, I mean if you put this in perspective, Ronald Reagan would be taken out of the mix by some of these more far-Right Tea Party folks. Richard Nixon would never have become the President of the United States. I mean, there’s really a move that comes not even right-of-center, really far Right, pushing out the guys that are closer to the middle, which means when they do have a general election, they probably will get the support; or I imagine they’re thinking about this, and I don’t know if we’ve done any reporting on this – would it be harder for them to win some of these elections, in Delaware, for example, if you’ve got somebody who’s on the far right as opposed to the middle or even right-of-center?” YELLIN: Two points. One, I suspect many Tea Party activists would disagree with you on Ronald Reagan, because Reagan is a hero to many of them. And you can quibble about whether his policies actually square with what they say now, which is – SANCHEZ: Well, you can start – well, you could, you could – I mean, we would quibble back with immigration, for example. Ronald Reagan would say – Ronald Reagan would be called by anyone in the Tea Party today a “pro-amnesty Republican.” That’s what he would be called. YELLIN: And I’m sure they’d be – I’m sure they’d be happy to quibble with you over it, Rick. But – SANCHEZ: Well they couldn’t, it’s the policy! He’s the guy who – I mean they couldn’t. He’s the guy who actually did that – YELLIN: Well, everybody reads history the way they want. SANCHEZ: Alright, go on. YELLIN: Um, the, uh – the point that you’re making, which is that are some of these candidates unelectable – is actually a point that some Tea Party groups are concerned with. You know Dick Armey who runs FreedomWorks, that very active national umbrella group that supported a lot of Tea Party candidates, his group says no, they’re staying out of this race and they’re not going to back Christine O’Donnell, this Tea Party candidate because they don’t think she’s electable. There’s just too much, and too many reasons why they don’t think she’ll win. So that’s an unusual wrinkle this election season. And there are a lot of Democrats that are excited about the prospect of O’Donnell winning, because they actually think that means Democrats would hold the seat statewide. Democrats agree she is not electable statewide. So she’s a risky gamble for the Republican Party.

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Rick Sanchez: Some ‘Far-Right’ Tea Partiers Wouldn’t Vote for Reagan, Too Liberal

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DeGette Pushing Poll-Negative Embryonic Stem Cell Research Spending Bill

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Ignoring the current political reality for wishful thinking of bygone days, Politico’s Richard Cohen wrote a nice bluff piece today for Democrat anti-life CO Rep. Diana DeGette , strongly pushing a bill to force taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research. Such legislation would render mute the August 23 federal court ruling that escr violates federal law by killing that law. Cohen has either not seen or is ignoring (would bet it’s the latter) the August 27 Rasmussen poll that showed a stunning reversal of American thought on paying for escr. While 17 mos. ago a slight majority (52%) supported President Obama’s now-enjoined executive order authorizing public-funded escr, 57% today oppose it. Now, only 1/3 of America (exactly: 33%) support what DeGette is pushing. I’m sure DeGette knows about the poll but is attempting a bluff, wanting her shaky colleagues and leadership to think public-funded escr is in the bag and that it would be to their political benefit to have a hand in this done deal. From the article : As Congress prepares to return for a limited pre-election agenda… DeGette… said she has picked up wide support for her bill to permit embryonic stem-cell research and expects it will pass this month. Although it has been strongly opposed by anti-abortion activists, she voiced confidence that the measure will be a political boost for its backers as well as good policy. Working with her bipartisan allies and with Democratic leaders who want to make sure the bill does not raise objections from pro-life Democrats, DeGette has not resolved all details of the measure. But “the stars are pretty well aligned,” she said. “ This is a positive wedge issue. Supporters can use it in an election because there is strong public support and its opponents look extreme. “ I refer DeGette’s colleagues back to the Rasmussen poll . Interestingly, the poll indicates Americans don’t have such a moral issue with escr as a fiscal issue with spending their tax dollars on it. So people are not now arguing about whether embryos are human and even if so whether it would be for the greater good to experiment on them. They’re saying it’s fiscally irresponsible right now to throw money at it, since we have none. (“They” being the critical independent vote.) And so, in fact, public funded escr is a negative wedge issue that enjoys overwhelming public opposition . As for DeGette’s “bipartisan allies,” way down in Cohen’s piece, in the 2nd-to-last paragraph, we learn those amount to a whopping 2: DeGette has worked closely with Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) and cites the bipartisan support for her bill. But the 51 cosponsors include only 2 Republicans : Castle and Mark Kirk (R- IL ). Coincidentally, both are running for the Senate. Currently Kirk is losing in the polls to his Democrat counterpart with absolutely zero conservative support. His support of this issue puts him in the negative-zero range, meaning he should begin to anticipate cat calls at rallies. Meanwhile Castle is much in the news as a Tea Party primary target, with he and DE Republican leaders “scrambling to prevent the possibility” of a “seismic upset.”  Daily Kos reported August 30 that with conservative Christine O’Donnell breathing down Castle’s neck, a debate over public-funded escr “puts Castle in a spot.” I expect Castle is wishing right about now DeGette would shut up and go away. I equally expect pro-life Democrats – you know, the ones our groups are targeting and beating for supporting Obamacare – are privately telling DeGette the same thing. To help them along: Call your congressperson today and tell him or her to oppose DeGette’s bill or any measure authorizing taxpayer funding of escr. [Photo via Politico ]

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DeGette Pushing Poll-Negative Embryonic Stem Cell Research Spending Bill

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Liberal HuffPo Political Writer Validates ‘Little Alaska’ GOP Senate Primary Challenger in Delaware

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Delaware might soon be referred to as “Little Alaska” not only because of its relatively small size in area but, more importantly, because the September 14 Republican senate primary in that state threatens to become a possible repeat of what recently happened in Alaska when little known Tea Party backed candidate, Joe Miller, apparently defeated the establishment incumbent, Senator Lisa Murkowski (absentee ballots still being counted). In the “Little Alaska” state of Delaware, Joe Miller comes in the form of little known Christine O’Donnell who is challenging “moderate” Congressman Mike Castle who has, until now, been considered as the sure victor in that state’s primary. However, after what happened in Alaska, the O’Donnell challenge has to be taken more seriously. Michelle Malkin is now focusing on that election in which anything, after Alaska, now seems possible: Well, 70-year-old, nine-term House cap-and-taxer GOP Rep. Mike Castle has a challenger. She’s Christine O’Donnell — a young, energetic, fresh-faced conservative activist with a real shot at dislodging the entrenched liberal Republican. She’s been traveling the state of Delaware non-stop and reaching out to conservatives across the country for support. I met her on Saturday at a grass-roots gathering of Moms 4 America in Washington, D.C. Castle refuses to debate her and has resorted to sneaking in and out of local GOP meetings to avoid her. He has bagged out on four scheduled GOP primary debates, most recently one sponsored by the League of Women Voters. The establishment Republican fund-raising organizations are sticking by their big government brother. Perhaps the greatest validation of the Christine O’Donnell challenge to Castle comes not from conservatives, who can be expected to support her, but from liberal Huffington Post political blogger Sam Stein who, although obviously disagreeing with her politics, has given her credibility with his coverage of that “Little Alaska” election: The results have not even been finalized in the quirky Alaska Republican Senate primary and already the political world is bracing itself for another instance in which an out-of-nowhere Tea Party candidate derails the highly-favored establishment contender. On Monday, Democratic and Republican operatives alike expressed interest and consternation (respectively) over the possibility that Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) could be the next victim of the purity purge inside the GOP tent. Christine O’Donnell has, by and large, campaigned outside the media and political spotlight so far this election. But on Monday her efforts to take out Castle in the mid-September primary got a major boost when the Tea Party Express, which spent roughly $600,000 on Alaska Republican Joe Miller’s challenge to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, pledged to do the same on her behalf. One question is whether the Republican establishment hasn’t learned its lesson and is trying to take out O’Donnell in favor of Castle. Stein offers this intriguing tidbit: Perhaps the strongest indication that O’Donnell has people wary if not worried was an e-mail late on Monday sent by a Republican operative to the Huffington Post with a quizzical bit of background research on the Tea Party candidate. O’Donnell, it appears, has no discernible steady form of income. The eyes of the political world are sure to be focused on Delaware aka “Little Alaska” on September 14. Even liberals are taking note of the power of the Tea Party movement in this election season. Note: Any writers, pundits, or blogosphere writers out there using the term “Little Alaska” when referring to the Delaware primary election, please be sure to send royalty payments to your humble correspondent who originated the term in reference to this election. Failing that, at least a story credit with link would be appreciated. 

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Liberal HuffPo Political Writer Validates ‘Little Alaska’ GOP Senate Primary Challenger in Delaware

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Nicole Scherzinger To Guest-Star On ‘How I Met Your Mother’

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The Pussycat Doll and ‘Dancing With the Stars’ champ will appear on the show in November. By Jocelyn Vena Nicole Scherzinger Photo: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic Nicole Scherzinger is set to guest-star on the hit CBS show “How I Met Your Mother.” EW.com reports that the lead Pussycat Doll and “Dancing With the Stars” winner will play a vital part in telling the story of Robin’s (played by Cobie Smulders) days as a Canadian pop star, when she was known as Robin Sparkle. “It’s going to be a satisfying third chapter in the Robin Sparkles trilogy,” executive producer Craig Thomas said. “It’s a prequel to both ‘Let’s Go to the Mall’ and ‘Sandcastles in the Sand.’ ” Scherzinger will play Robin’s former pal, Jessica Glitter, who now hosts a Canadian talk show alongside former “Growing Pains” star Alan Thicke. “It’s the origin story of Robin Sparkles,” executive producer Carter Bays said. “You see where she came from.” The episode, titled “Glitter,” will air this November during sweeps. Last season a number of familiar faces popped up on “How I Met Your Mother,” including Jennifer Lopez and Carrie Underwood. In past seasons, everyone from Britney Spears to “Hills” stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have appeared on the sitcom. Scherzinger burned up television screens last season on “Dancing With the Stars,” where she shimmied her way to winning the mirror-ball trophy. Following a recent shakeup in the band, she’s also currently hard at work on the next Pussycat Dolls album and worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber on his new play, “Love Never Dies,” a sequel to “The Phantom of the Opera.” Aside from taping her upcoming appearance on “How I Met Your Mother” and all her other projects, Scherzinger has been busy writing tons of music. “I don’t know if I’m gonna put [the new music out] under my name yet or if it’s going to be perfect for the Dolls,” she said. “It doesn’t matter. I just want to make great music for the fans. It’s going to be popular music, but I’m definitely going with a more rock, soul-inspired sound.” Related Artists Nicole Scherzinger

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Harold vs. Kumar: Who’d You Rather?

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Filed under: John Cho , Kal Penn , Who'd You Rather? , Beauty Stars of the ” Harold & Kumar ” film franchise John Cho and Kal Penn reunited at White Castle the same event in Burbank on Monday. Question is … Read more

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Harold vs. Kumar: Who’d You Rather?

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Hard Rock Calling Festival Acts Weigh In On Best British Slang

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Corinne Bailey Rae, the Hives and more count ‘cheeky,’ ‘sort it out’ and some naughty obscenities among fave Brit-isms. By Matt Elias Corinne Bailey Rae at Hard Rock Calling 2010 Photo: MTV News The Brits have a long history of catch-tastic slang, from the cheeky monkeys to the shagadelic mods. Over the weekend at the Hard Rock Calling festival in London, MTV News asked some of the artists sharing the bill to give us their favorite words and phrases. Consider it British Slang 101 — it might be useful should you ever find yourself across the pond. The Gaslight Anthem Cu–: “I love the Northern U.K. people when you can say cu– for anything,” dummer Benny Horowitz said. “Like if I hear an American girl say that word, it just makes me, ugh, it’s gross, but when they say it, it’s hilarious. We toured with a band called Former Cell Mates who basically just called us that about 15, 20 times a day: ‘What’s up, you f—ing cu–?’ ” Sort it out: I’d say mine would be ‘sort it out,’ ” bassist Alex Levine said. “MTV, sort your stuff out. Corinne Bailey Rae Don’t be daft: “I always say, ‘don’t be daft,’ apparently, and that was pointed out by my American makeup artist. She was like, ‘You’re always saying, “don’t be daft.” ‘ So that means ‘don’t worry about it.’ Your Italian-Americans might say ‘fuggedaboutit’ — it’s the Yorkshire equivalent of ‘forget about it.’ ” The Hives Wanker: “Oi, wanker!” frontman Pelle Almqvist shouted. “A packet of crisps and a pint of lager, s’il vous pla

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The Best Albums Of 2010 (So Far)

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Vampire Weekend, Janelle Mon

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Premier League fixtures 2010-11: Liverpool host Arsenal on opening day

Posted on June 17, 2010 by | Leave a comment

• The full Premier League fixture list 2010-11 • Chelsea and Manchester United open against promoted sides • Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester City at White Hart Lane Chelsea begin the defence of their Premier League title with a home match against newly promoted West Bromwich Albion. The 14 August match means a return to Stamford Bridge for the former Blues midfielder Roberto Di Matteo, now manager of West Brom. Next up for the champions will be a trip to Wigan Athletic, where they were beaten last season, before Stoke City visit Stamford Bridge on 28 August. The title holders have to wait until 2 October for their first match against one of the big four clubs, when they face Arsenal at home, with the return fixture on Boxing Day. Carlo Ancelotti’s side first face Manchester United on 18 December, with the two playing at Old Trafford on 7 May – the Blues’ penultimate away fixture. United, runners-up in 2009-10, also start with a home match against a newly promoted team. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side take on Newcastle United on the first day. Blackpool, the third of the sides promoted from the Championship, provide the Old Trafford opposition on the last day of the season, 22 May. There are two intriguing matches between top-four hopefuls on the opening day. Liverpool start the post-Rafael Benítez era with a home match against Arsenal, while Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City meet at White Hart Lane. Aston Villa face West Ham United and Everton travel to Blackburn Rovers, while Blackpool’s first match in the Premier League is at home, to local rivals Wigan. Elsewhere on the opening day, Steve Bruce’s Sunderland are at home to Birmingham City, one of the clubs he previously managed. Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City play at Molineux, while Bolton Wanderers and Europa League runners-up Fulham meet in the north-west. Newcastle’s manager, Chris Hughton, admitted he had been hoping for an easier start after seeing his side given a trip to Old Trafford on the opening day. “It’s a tough start for us, we would have preferred a home game to kick the season off but you take what you get,” he said. “We can take heart and confidence from the 1-1 draw we earned at Old Trafford two years ago on the opening day of the 2008-09 season. Villa at home the following week is another tough one but a great game to begin our home campaign. You tend to look at the number of back-to-back games you have against the top six/eight teams and our fixture list looks to be fairly balanced in that respect.” The Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway, welcomed the news his side will play their first game at home followed by a visit from Arsenal. “It is nice to kick off with a home game and with Wigan up the road it will be nice for us,” he told Sky Sports News. On the trip to north London to face Arsène Wenger’s men, he added: “That’s fantastic, that’s exactly what I wanted. It will be a new experience for all of us going to the Emirates. Hopefully all the butterflies will be out of the way and we can see what we can do against Arsenal.” Blackpool also face a tricky finish when they meet Manchester United at Old Trafford on the final day. “That will be nice if we could celebrate staying up,” said Holloway. “I am sure Sir Alex (Ferguson) has already sent me a letter telling me to bring some good red wine.” Premier League Football fixtures 2010-11 guardian.co.uk

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Premier League fixtures 2010-11: Liverpool host Arsenal on opening day

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