The V Blog Too

2010-04-22T08:12:00.001-04:00

THE "ME & VINNIE" GRAND FINALE - APRIL 30th 6-9am on SIRIUS 108 XM 139. The "Me & Vinnie Show" will cease production on Friday April 30th. That will be the last show. After a glorious 2 year run with "Me & Vinnie" and a total of 4 years on Sirius... it is over.

I want to thank all of our listeners for supporting the program. I want to thank you for all your great calls, emails and posts. It was an honor to be a part of your morning. Please stay in touch on F/B and you can always email me at hugthekids@yahoo.com . I will still be live every morning on TRU-tv's IN Session from 9am - noon as well as making many appearances on HLN in the mornings and at night. THANK YOU

-Vinnie

Get Your Sex Scandal Bracket Here

2010-04-19T06:28:00.004-04:00

Download your copy of the 2010 Sex Scandal Championship Bracket HERE.

And vote for your Round 1 picks HERE. Voting is now open.

Nick & Stanley

2010-04-15T08:26:00.000-04:00

Nick and the 1994 Rangers

Safety First

2010-04-12T08:19:00.003-04:00

Former Federal Air Marshall Robert Maclean joins us by phone to comment on last week's incident with the Qatari diplomat, and the Whistleblower Protection act of 2009. Mr. Maclean was fired in 2006 after he exposed the TSA's plan to remove Marshalls from long distant flights as a cost saving measure. Much more info at www.whistleblower.org.

Taxes!

2010-04-12T07:19:00.003-04:00

It's tax season. If you haven't filed yet, better hurry up. In the meantime, Chris Hellman is here today from the National Priorities Project. NPP takes the thousands of pages of complicated paper work filed by the government, and provides a simple, clear breakdown of how the government will be spending your tax dollars.

Heeere's Johnny!

2010-04-07T08:11:00.002-04:00

Earl J. Braxton, the owner of toilets.com joins us to discuss the trademark board's recent ruling against him. This litigation has been ongoing since his 1977 case, Carson v. Here's Johnny Portable Toilets, Inc., 810 F.2d 104 (6th Cir. 1987).

Runaway Squad

2010-04-05T07:29:00.002-04:00

Each year in the US, more than 1.6 million youths run away from home. Although thousands of runaways are killed or die out in the streets, most overburdened police departments don’t have the resources to meet the parents’ pleas to find them. That’s where former NYPD detective Joe Mazzilli and his team step in. On an on-going, pro bono basis, this dedicated squad tracks and rescues runaways – often extracting them from dangerous situations – and brings them back to their families. With a combination of investigative techniques and connections, street smarts and dogged manhunt experience, the “Runaway Squad” works hard to find these young adults before it’s too late.

Runaway Squad premiers tonight on A&E.

But is it art?

2010-03-31T07:29:00.003-04:00

Our in-house counsel Janell Weinstein stops by today to help us sort through indecent exposure law. In Erykah Badu's controversial new video, she strips naked and collapses near the site in Dallas where President Kennedy was shot. Is it art?

Church Scandal During Holy Week

2010-03-29T06:33:00.003-04:00

A bevy of worldwide scandals indicate that Pope Benedict VXI may have played a role in sweeping several allegations of sexual abuse by priests under the rug. Jeffrey Anderson is a Minnesota attorney who has brought suit against the church on behalf of several deaf adults who claim they were abused by a priest several decades ago. Mr. Anderson joins us today by phone. You can view the documents Anderson secured that indicate the Vatican's role in the cover-up HERE.

Proof Dr. J Is Alive!

2010-03-25T06:45:00.001-04:00

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2010-03-17T09:19:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Liam Davenport, our Irish piper on Scottish pipes, for dropping by the studio today to help us celebrate.

The OTHER Colleen LaRose

2010-03-17T07:03:00.002-04:00

Colleen R. LaRose, AKA "Jihad Jane"

Colleen L. LaRose, not AKA "Jihad Jane"

Colleen LaRose, of Holland Township, NJ was stunned to learn that she shared a name with a notorious indicted terrorism suspect. She was even more stunned to see her face turning up in shoddily produced news reports about her namesake! The good LaRose is the publisher of a new magazine and website, FemmeSpeak, and she joins us today to discuss her new life in the spotlight.

Eric Massa will now be known as....

2010-03-11T07:30:00.003-05:00

Sergeant Snorkel!!!

Sergeant Snorkel was the comicstrip character Beetle Baily's supervisor. Eric Massa, it has been alleged, tried to "snorkel" a fellow Navy man:

Clarke says that Massa's roommate, Tom Maxfield, was also assaulted. "Tom
lived on upper bunk," Clarke say. "When you're on ship, you're almost exhausted
24-7. So a lot of times you sleep with your uniform on. Tom and Massa shared a
stateroom together. Massa climbed up on the top of his bunk, which is hard to
do--you never crawl up on somebody else's bunk. He wakes up to Massa undoing his
pants trying to snorkel him."

Fred Phelps Back in Court

2010-03-10T07:11:00.002-05:00

This week the Supreme Court agreed to hear Snyder v. Phelps, involving the Topeka, KS preacher who picketed the funerals of US soldiers. Sean Summers represented Albert Snyder in his 2007 victory over Phelps. The judgement was later overturned, and will now go before the Supreme Court. Mr. Summers joins us this morning on the program.

Time to Enshrine Sully

2010-03-08T06:36:00.005-05:00

Our campaign to get Captain Sully inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame begins today. Ron Kaplan, the Enshrinement Director of the NAHF is here to tell us about the induction process.

The 49th Annual Enshrinement Dinner & Ceremony takes place at the DaytonConvention Center on Saturday, July 17, 2010. This black tie gala iswidely known as "the Oscar Night of Aviation," as it honors and attractsa who's who of the flying community. The Enshrinee Class of 2010 is: Astronaut and Apollo 12 moonwalker,Alan Bean; inventor of aircraft lighting, the late Warren Grimes;business aviation icon and aerial cinematographer, Clay Lacy; and arcticand Alaskan pioneer of flight, the late Noel Wien.

You can call the NAHF at (888) 383-1903.

Amanda Knox Developments

2010-03-05T07:04:00.002-05:00

Andrea Vogt is a freelance journalist covering the Amanda Knox murder trial and appeal from Perugia, Italy. She joins us today, after the Italian Courts released a 427 page report on the Knox guilty verdict.

Andrea also joined us last December after the Knox verdict was delivered.

2010-03-04T07:34:00.003-05:00

Master Sgt. Jeffrey S. Sarver is suing the producers of The Hurt Locker, alleging that the film's main character is based on him, and that the movie's screenwriter and makers are cheating him out of any acknowledgment or financial participation in the film. Mr. Sarver's attorney, Super Lawyer Geoffrey Fieger, joins us today to discuss the case.

Hate Groups on the Rise

2010-03-03T06:02:00.003-05:00

Mark Potok, Spokesman for the Southern Poverty Law Center and Editor of the Intelligence Rport, joins us today to discuss his organization's latest report on hate groups in the US.

Southe Poverty Legal Center's map of hate groups in the US. Check out the SPLC's maps and profiles of hate groups.

2010-03-02T07:37:00.003-05:00

Our good friend, workplace legal expert Robin Bond, is here to help us sort through some thorny workplace legal stories:
-85 year old beer vendor gets fired and sues for age discrimination
-pregnant waitress fired from topless bar sues for discrimination

Nicky Buttons has released a statement...

2010-02-26T06:50:00.001-05:00

Nicky Buttons has released a statement regarding the last minute cancellation of his scheduled press conference:
Due to the most horrific weather conditions, I will not be making my ublic
appology today. I appologize to all my friends and listeners who I have let down this morning that were looking forward to hearing what I have to say. Monday, I will be holding a press conference to appologize for..... Well... not showing up to my own public appology of course.. Thank you for your Cooperation, and screw mother nature.

2010-02-25T16:28:00.000-05:00

PR Advise for Nicky Buttons

2010-02-25T07:13:00.002-05:00

Media Trainer extraordinaire TJ Walker stops by today to train Nicky Buttons for his big public apology press conference tomorrow morning.

The National Enquirer Deserves the Pulitzer

2010-02-24T07:02:00.003-05:00

Emily Miller writes for PoliticsDaily.com, among other sites. She is spearheading the campaign to get the National Enquirer the recognition they deserve for exposing the John Edwards' scandal. She joins us today to discuss what we can do to help influence the Pulitzer voters.

There's a facebook group you can join.

Dad to go to jail for taking daughter to church?

2010-02-18T11:58:00.003-05:00

Joseph Reyes and his ex-wife Rebecca are in a bitter custody battle. After violating a bizarre restraining order taking their daughter to church, Joseph Reyes could end up in jail. It's a complicated story. Joseph, and his lawyer Joel Brodsky join us by phone to tell Joseph's side of the story.

2010-02-16T08:20:00.003-05:00

Dr. Paul Schienberg is a clinical and forensic psychologist. Today he's helping us to paint a picture of Amy Bishop, the Alabama University professor turned killer. How did this nutcase get hired? Is it really possible for someone with such a messy to appear so outwardly normal?

Jersey Boy: The Video

2010-02-12T06:52:00.000-05:00

Super Bowl Snacks

2010-02-05T07:10:00.002-05:00

Chef Michael Prioetti is here with recipes for you to make at your Super Bowl party. Visit his website for more recipes.

SOS Children's Villages

2010-02-04T08:20:00.003-05:00

Heather Paul, the CEO of SOS Children's Villages-USA, joins us on the show today from Santo Domingo, D.R. The SOS villages in Haiti have assumed custody of the 33 orphans that American missionaries allegedly tried to traffick out of the country.

SOS Children's Villages does amazing work around the world to keep families together and to provide housing, food and schooling to orphans. Please visit their website to learn more.

Michael Billy's Gay Superbowl Pics

2010-02-04T05:26:00.002-05:00

Renaissance Terrorist?

2010-02-01T06:56:00.002-05:00

One the left is Vinnie and Billy at the Renaissance Faire in summer '09. On the right is Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, who was reportedly killed last weekend.

Jerzy Boy Lyrics

2010-01-29T10:02:00.002-05:00

Now it's your turn to learn the lyrics. Next time won't you sing along?

Jerzy Boy

From the "sades" down to Camden, all along 95
We'll be looking for some action till we find the perfect vibe
Throwin the dice at AC, sun rises at the shore
Once you take a bite of crazy, you'll be begging me for more

I'm a jersey Boy
I'm a jersey Boy
I'm a jersey Boy
I'm a jersey Boy

Swing up Hoboken, rip down Asbury Park
Every rules gonna be broken when you're swimmin with this shark
I'm champagne taste mixed with Jersey City Street
Gonna take you out dancing and knock you off your feet
I'm a Jersey
BoyI'm a jersey
BoyI'm a jersey
BoyI'm a jersey

BoyDon't look at me like I'm crazy, crazy
I just want you to have a good time
We'll play real hard then get lazy, lazy
Now is that such a crime?

I'm a Jersey Boy

POTUS SOTU

2010-01-28T07:37:00.003-05:00

Joining us with commentary on last night's State of the Union address, it's Obama Girl! It appears she's fallen out of love with the President a bit, and is now much more focused on her jewelry line.

Sex Addiction

2010-01-21T08:37:00.004-05:00

Writer and recovering sex addict Benoit Denizet-Lewis is here to answer all of your questions about sex addiction. His new book America Anonymous follows eight different addicts (with eight different addictions) for three years.

What's wrong with polygamy?

2010-01-19T07:24:00.003-05:00

Most of us are instinctually opposed to polygamy, but it's hard to say why. Open your mind this morning and listen to the arguments of Mark Henkel, polygamy advocate.

Disaster in Haiti

2010-01-14T10:08:00.002-05:00

To help, simply text “HAITI” to “90999”and a donation of $10 will be given
automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell
phone bill. Or you can go online to organizations like the Red Cross and Mercy Corps to make a contribution to the disaster relief
efforts.

More suggestions on how to help are suggested by the State Department HERE.

"Black English"

2010-01-13T08:04:00.002-05:00

Garrard McClendon, Chicago area TV host and educator, shares his comments with us on Harry Reid's "negro dialect" remarks. McClendon is the author of Ask or Ax? The African American Guide to Better English.

Darren Kavinoky

2010-01-12T08:05:00.004-05:00

California Defense Attorney and Legal Analyst for 'The Insider' Darren Kavinoky is on the phone from California to bring us up to speed on the Proposition 8 gay marriage trial.

Evil!!!!!

2010-01-07T07:47:00.002-05:00

Dr. Michael Stone, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and expert on evil, joins us in studio today to diagnose Michael Billy on the spectrum of evil. He is the author of The Anatomy of Evil and was the host of Most Evil on Discovery Channel.

A Bag of God

2009-12-18T09:03:00.002-05:00

A Bag of God
By Ice Cream Girl Maria

The only way that you’re going to get out of this is if you take out a bag of magic tricks.
No, no wait….
A bag of God.
He had a bag of God with him.
OK?

Where can I buy this bag of God?
Oh Sully
Oh Sully
He is blessed with it
Where do I find this greasy highway?

Listen to me.
No, no wait.
A Bag of God

He had a bag of God with him, OK?

Bag of God, Bag of God, Sully’s got a bag of God
Bag of God, Bag of God, Sully’s got a bag of God
Bag of God, Bag of God, Sully’s got a bag of God

Are you kidding me?
I’ll tell ya’
Bag of God, Bag of God, Sully’s got a bag of God

And this guy pulled out a bag of God
Are you kidding me?
I tell you.

Don’t let me start
Hey, where can I buy this bag of God?
Uh, he had it. I don’t know, you have to ask him.
Bag of God, Bag of God, Sully’s got a bag of God

Tell me why Captain Sully is a hero:
This guy’s amazing.
First of all, what he did was equivalent to being on a greasy highway facing a tractor trailer with your
whole family—not even your family—with hundreds of strangers.
The only way you’re going to get out of this is if you take out a bag—
A bag of magic tricks
No wait, a bag of god

And he said, I’m facing death right now
I’m in the process of dying
I’m dying
And this guy pulled out his bag of god
A bag of god.

Top Trials of the Decade

2009-12-17T07:17:00.014-05:00

Me & Vinnie Top Trials of the Decade
Sirius XM Stars Too Sirius 108/XM 139

10) The People of New York v. Sean Combs A.K.A. “Puff Daddy”

Crime: On December 27, 1999, rapper Sean Combs and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez were partying in a New York City nightclub when an argument broke out. Shots were fired, and Combs and crew fled the club. Police stopped their vehicle and found a stolen 9 mm pistol on the front seat. The driver, Wardel Fenderson, said that Combs tried to bribe him to claim ownership for the gun.
Charges: Criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of stolen goods, bribery
Location: New York, NY
Opening Arguments: January 29, 2001
Judge: Charles Solomon
Lead Presecutor: Matthew Bogdanos
Lead Defense Attorney: Benjamin Brafman, Johnnie Cochran, Jr.
Verdict: March 16, 2001, not guilty of all charges

9) United States v. Martha Stewart

Crime: On December 27, 2001, TV host and magazine publisher Martha Stewart sold her entire holding of pharmaceutical company ImClone Systems stock: 3,928 shares, valued at $232,000. One day later, the FDA announced its decision not to approve ImClone’s newest drug, Erbitux. This caused the stock to drop by 18%. An investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that company executives had traded on inside information and sold of large quantities of ImClone stock before the FDA announcement.
Charges: Nine counts, including charges of securities fraud, obstruction of justice, and making false statements
Trial location: New York City
Jury Selected: January 26, 2004
Judge: Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum
Lead Prosecutor: Karen Seymour
Lead Defense Attorney: Robert Morvillo
Verdict: Prior to jury deliberation, the judge threw out the security fraud charge. Stewart was found guilty of all remaining charges.
Sentence: $30,000 fine, five months of prison, five months of home confinement, two year of probation

8) Anna Nicole Smith

Crime: On February 8, 2007, Anna Nicole Smith was found dead in her Hollywood, Florida hotel room. After Smith’s death, intense legal proceedings began over the custody of her remains, and the custody of her daughter, Danielynn.
Custody Hearings Begin: February 21, 2007
Location: Broward County, Florida
Judge: Larry Seidlin
Result: On February 22, custody of Smith's body was awarded to Miami lawyer Robert Millstein.
Paternity test result: On April 10 2007, a Bahamian court ruled that DNA testing proved that Larry Birkhead was the father of Dannielynn.

7) People of the State of California v. Michael Joseph Jackson

Crime: In February of 2003, British journalist Martin Bashir’s documentary entitled Living with Michael Jackson revealed firsthand footage of Jackson’s bizarre closeness with young boys, especially one Gavin Arvizo. In the film, Jackson also discussed having shared his bed with other children. This reignited public concern over Jackson’s conduct, and after an investigation, the District Attorney’s office of Santa Barbara, CA brought down indictments.
Charges: Two counts of administering an intoxication agent, seven counts of child molestation (on seven occasions, Jackson "willfully, unlawfully and lewdly committed a lewd and lascivious act upon, and with, the boy's body and certain parts and members thereof, with the intent of arousing, appealing to and gratifying the lust, passions and sexual desires")
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Date of Opening Statements: February 28, 2005
Judge: Judge Rodney Melville
Lead Prosecutor: Tom Sneddon
Lead Defense Attorney: Thomas Mesereau Jr., Mark Geragos
Verdict: June 13, 2005, not guilty on all charges

6) The People of California v. David Westerfield

Crime: On the morning of February 1, 2009 Damon and Brenda van Dam discovered that their seven year-old daughter Danielle was missing from her room. Investigators discovered that a neighbor had left for a camping trip within hours of Danielle’s disappearance. That neighbor, David Westerfield, was arrested on February 22 when two small blood stains were found on his clothing and in his motor home. Danielle’s body was found three weeks after her disappearance.
Charges: Murder, kidnapping, possessing matter depicting person under 18 in sexual conduct
Location: San Diego, CA
Opening Statements: June 4, 2002
Judge: William Mudd
Lead Prosecutor: Jeff Dusek
Lead Defense Attorney: Steven Feldman
Verdict: August 21, 2002, guilty of all charges
Sentence: Death Penalty

5) People of the State of California vs. Scott Peterson

Crime: On December 14, 2002, Scott Peterson’s pregnant wife, Laci, was reported missing from their home in Modesto, California. After revelations surfaced that Scott kept a mistress, Amber Frey, he soon became a suspect in his wife’s disappearance. The bodies of Laci and the unborn Connor were found on April 14, 2003 in San Francisco Bay.
Charges: Two counts of premeditated murder
Jury Seated: May 27, 2004
Location: Redwood City, California
Judge: Alfred A. Delucchi
Lead Prosecutor: Rick Distaso
Lead Defense Attorney: Mark Geragos
Verdict: November 12, 2004, guilty of first-degree murder
Sentence: Death penalty

4) People of the State of California v. Robert Blake

Crime: On May 4, 2001, actor Robert Blake’s wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, was shot to death as she sat in Blake’s sports car behind a Los Angeles restaurant, where the couple had just dined.
Charges: One count of murder with special circumstances, two counts of solicitation of murder, one count of murder conspiracy
Jury Sworn In: December 2, 2004
Trial location: Los Angeles, CA
Judge: Darlene Schempp
Lead Prosecutor: Shellie Samuels
Lead Defense Attorney: (in order) Harland Braun, Thomas Messereau, M. Gerald Schwartzbach
Verdict: March 16, 2005, not guilty of the murder, not guilty of one of the two counts of solicitation of murder. The jury deadlocked over the other count, and it was ultimately dropped. On November 18, 2005, Blake was found liable for her wrongful death.

3) State of Colorado v. Kobe Bean Bryant

Crime: On July 4, 2003, Eagle, Colorado Sheriff Joe Hoy issued an arrest warrant for Kobe Bryant in connection with a sexual assault complaint filed by 19 year-old hotel employee Katelyn Faber. Bryant admitted to an adulterous sexual encounter with his accuser, but denied her sexual assault allegation.
Charges: One count of felony sexual assault
Hearings Location: Eagle County, Colorado
Trial Date: Jury selection began on August 27, 2004, but on September 1, the judge dismissed that case after Faber refused to testify in the trial.
Judge: Frederick Gannett, Terry Ruckriegle
Lead Prosecutor: Mark Hurlburt
Lead Defense Attorney: Pamela Mackey, Hal Haddon
Verdict: Although the criminal case was dropped, a separate civil lawsuit against Bryant, which the two sides ultimately settled with undisclosed terms.

2) State of Nevada v. O.J. Simpson

Crime: On September 13, 2007, OJ Simpson led a group of men into a room at the Palace Station Hotel to retrieve sports memorabilia they claimed was stolen. Two days later OJ was arrested. Thomas Riccio, one of OJ’s friends and henchmen, captured the entire heist on audiotape.
Charges: Twelve counts including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, assault, robbery, and using a deadly weapon
Trial Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Trial Start Date: September 15, 2008
Judge: Jackie Glass
Lead Presecutor: David Roger, Chris Owens
Lead Defense Attorney: Yale Galanter, Gabriel Grasso
Verdict: October 3, 2008, guilty on all charges
Sentence: Fifteen years

1)The State of Florida v. Casey Marie Anthony

Crime: On July 15, 2008, Cindy Anthony called 9-1-1 to report her granddaughter Caylee as missing. When it emerged that Caylee’s mother, Casey, had last seen the girl on June 16—an entire month earlier—Casey Anthony became a suspect in the disappearance. Caylee’s body was found near the Anthony home on December 11, 2008.
Charges: First Degree Murder
Location: Orange County, Florida
Indictment Date: Casey Anthony was indicted on October 14, 2008.
Lead Defense Attorney: Linda Kenney Baden, Jose Baez

Guests for the Show:

Diane Dimond
Investigative reporter, author of Be Careful Who You Love: Inside the Michael Jackson Case
http://www.dianedimond.net/

Mike Brooks
Journalist, security consultant, law enforcement analyst for In Session

Midwin Charles
Founder Midwin Charles & Associates LLC, Legal Contributor for In Session
www.charleslawfirm.com/

Rita Cosby
Journalist, 3-time Emmy award winner
http://www.ritacosby.com/

Jane Velez-Mitchell
Host of Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell on HLN, author of iWant, My Journey from Addiction and Over-consumption to a Simpler, Honest Life
http://www.janevelezmitchell.com/

Lisa Sweetingham
Journalist, former CourtTV reporter, author of Chemical Cowboys: The DEA’s Secret Mission to Hunt Down a Notorious Ecstasy Kingpin
http://www.lisasweetingham.com/

Yale Galanter
Criminal Defense Attorney, he has defended OJ Simpson since 2001
http://www.galanterlaw.com/

Vinnie Parco, P.I.

2009-12-10T08:19:00.001-05:00

Vincent Parco, P.I. is here to talk about Tiger, cheating, and how not to get caught. Want to hire Parco? Visit him at www.ispyforyou.com.

Amanda Knox Verdict

2009-12-07T13:04:00.003-05:00

Freelance journalist Andrea Vogt joined us this morning to discuss the Amanda Knox guilty verdict. She has been following the trial from Perugia, Italy for the Seattle Post Intelligencer. Despite broad criticism of the trial by the US media, Vogt maintains that Knox received a fair trial.

Diabetes and Sexual Dysfunction

2009-12-03T07:14:00.003-05:00

Don't be embarassed, give Dr. Alsikafi a call. He's our guest this hour when we discuss sexual dysfunction and diabetes. For anyone in Chicagoland, his office phone numerb is (847) 599-1111.

Which Tiger-Lady is the Hottest?

2009-12-02T06:40:00.003-05:00

Which of Tiger Woods' alleged mistresses is the hottest? Are we sensing a type here?

Bachelorette #1: Rachel Uchitel

Bachelorette #2: Jaimee Grubbs

Bachelorette #3: Kalika Moquin

Or, the wife, Elin Nordegren. Would you cheat on this?

To be continued....?

Michael Billy on Stage

2009-12-01T08:30:00.002-05:00

If you're in New Jersey this weekend and like musicals, you can catch Michael Billy in The Garage Theater's production of The Music Man.

Jailhouse Jocks of the Decade

2009-11-25T07:02:00.007-05:00

This Thanksgiving, Vinnie Politan will host a countdown of the Top 10 Jailhouse Jocks of the Decade on Sirius XM Radio. Vinnie is the host of Me & Vinnie (Sirius XM Stars Too, Sirius 108/XM 139, Monday-Friday 6 AM to noon ET; twitter.com/meandvinnie; non-subscribers can listen live here).

The Jailhouse Jocks Countdown will reveal the worst athletes of the past decade--not the worst in an athletic sense, the worst in the trouble-making sense. The athletes will be ordered according to the relative stupidity, notoriety and badness of their misconduct.

Vinnie will be joined by Will Leitch (Contributing Editor, New York Magazine; founder of Deadspin.com) and Ryan Smith (Host, In Session on TruTV; former counsel for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars). Plus, legendary sportscaster Len Berman will weigh in on the “Craziest Conduct” of the decade.

Top 10 Jailhouse Jocks of the Decade

10. OJ Simpson

CRIME: On September 13, 2007, a group of men led by OJ Simpson was arrested after robbing sports memorabilia from a Las Vegas hotel room. The entire heist was captured on audio tape.

RESULT: Although Simpson pleaded not guilty to twelve counts including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, assault, robbery, and using a deadly weapon, on October 3, 2008 he was found guilty on all charges. He is currently serving a fifteen year sentence at the Lovelock Correctional Center in Lovelock, Nevada as Inmate #1027820.

9. Ron Artest

CRIME: On November 19, 2004, a brawl broke out after the Pacers’ Ron Artest fouled Pistons center Ben Wallace. The brawl culminated in Artest punching a fan.

RESULT: Two days after the brawl, the NBA announced that Artest would be suspended for the remainder of the season (73 games and playoffs), the longest non-drug or betting related suspension in NBA history. Artest lost approximately $7 million in salary due to the suspension.

8. Dick Cheney

CRIME: While on a February 2006 Quail hunting trip in Texas, then-Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot his friend and hunting companion Harry Whittington. Whittington, a 78-year-old Texas attorney, was sprayed across the face, neck, and upper torso with birdshot.

RESULT: Whittington suffered a mild heart attack, and atrial fibrillation. The Kenedy County Sheriff's office cleared Cheney of any criminal wrongdoing in the matter, and in an interview with Fox News, Cheney accepted full responsibility for the incident. Later, Whittington apologized to the vice-president for the trouble the event had caused him and his family.

7. Kobe Bryant

CRIME: On July 4, 2003, Eagle, Colorado Sheriff Joe Hoy issued an arrest warrant for Kobe Bryant in connection with a sexual assault complaint filed by 19 year-old hotel employee Katelyn Faber. Bryant admitted to an adulterous sexual encounter with his accuser, but denied her sexual assault allegation.

RESULT: In September 2004, the assault case was dropped by prosecutors after Faber refused to testify in the trial. Afterward, Bryant agreed to apologize to Faber for the incident. The accusation tarnished Bryant's reputation, and the public's perception of Bryant plummeted. Faber filed a separate civil lawsuit against Bryant, which the two sides ultimately settled with undisclosed terms.

6. Tim Donaghy

CRIME: On July 20, 2007, columnist Murray Weiss of the New York Post revealed that the FBI was investigating allegations that NBA referee Tim Donaghy had placed tens of thousands of dollars in bets on games during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 season. By selectively calling fouls, Donaghy was able to manipulate the point spread of games he officiated.

RESULT: On August 15, 2007, Donaghy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting wagering information through interstate commerce. Donaghy was sentenced in 15 months in prison. After serving 13 months of the sentence, he was released on November 4, 2009.

5. Jeremy Mayfield

CRIME: During a random drug screening on May 1, 2009 at Richmond International Raceway, NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine. On July 6, 2009, Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine a second time.

RESULT: Mayfield has been suspended indefinitely for violating NASCAR's substance abuse policy. He has countersued for breach of contract, discrimination and defamation, and the case remains in court. Mayfield recently auctioned off his 475-acre estate to raise legal funds, and hired celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos. He blames the drug test results on his ingestion of the allergy medicine Claritin D.

4. Jayson Williams

CRIME: On February 14, 2002, Jayson Williams shot and killed his driver Costas "Gus" Christofi while playing with a shotgun in his Alexandria Township, NJ home. Before alerting police of the incident, Williams attempted to disguise his role in the event.

RESULT: Williams was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter in 2004 but convicted of covering up the shooting. He is expected to plead guilty to an additional charge of aggravated assault. In the plea deal, Williams will receive a three-year jail term, with eligibility for parole after 18 months.

3. Roger Clemens

CRIME: In his 2005 book, Juiced, Jose Canseco blew the whistle on Roger Clemens’ steroid use. Clemens was again indicated by follow pitcher Jason Grimsley, and the Mitchell Report on steroid use in Baseball.

RESULT: Clemens has repeatedly denied receiving any illegal performance enhancing drugs in the media, in court, and before hearings in Congress. After his Congressional testimony, a House committee recommended that the Justice Department investigate whether Clemens lied under oath. A grand jury was convened in January, 2009 to hear evidence of a possible perjury, but has not yet rendered a decision.

2. Michael Vick

CRIME: In July 2007, Vick was indicted on federal offense and state felony charges relating to the enterprise of an interstate dog fighting ring. Vick was accused of financing the dog fighting operations, and directly participating in the fighting and executions of at least six dogs.

RESULT: A month after his indictment, Vick pleaded guilty to "Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in an Animal Fighting Venture.” Vick was sentenced to serve 23 months in federal prison. He was released from prison on May 20, 2009, and on August 13, 2009, Vick signed a one year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

1. 2000 Spanish Intellectual Disability Basketball Team

CRIME: After winning a gold medal in Intellectual Disability Basketball at the 2000 Paralympics Games in Syndey, Australia, a member of the team revealed that ten of the Spanish team’s twelve athletes were not, in fact, disabled. The team was outed by Carlos Ribagorda, an undercover journalist who was invited to join the team despite his lack of any disability.

In their first match, the team played too well and, when more than 30 points
ahead at half-time, were ordered by their coach to slow down their scoring
and let the other team shoot more. But their biggest mistake was to win
gold…. They were advised by officials to wear dark glasses and hats and grow
beards in order to pass unnoticed at the team's triumphal return home at
Madrid's Barajas airport. (The Guardian, 2008)

Ribagorda claims that the Spanish Federation for Mentally Handicapped Sports “didn't hesitate in signing up athletes without any type of handicap…..the aim of this policy was to win medals and gain more sponsorship.”

RESULT: The Spanish team was ordered to return its medals. After the incident, the International Paralympic Committee suspended all official sporting activities involving an intellectual disability, citing serious problems regarding the determination of eligibility.

Josef Fritzl

2009-11-23T07:11:00.001-05:00

Bojan Pancevski joins us to talk about the story of Josef Fritzl. His new book is I'm No Monster.

What is forensic entomology?

2009-11-19T08:24:00.001-05:00

Tim Downs, novelist and forensic entomology expert is here to explain what forensic entomology is. Check out his books HERE.

Giuseppi

2009-11-19T07:39:00.003-05:00

Rising legal star Joseph DiBenedetto is here to share some insight into the Mike Tyson arrest, and to opine on other legal stories of the day.

Real Men Get Snipped!

2009-11-16T07:59:00.002-05:00

Vasectomy coach Rob Hunter is in studio to convince you to get the snip. http://www.realmengetsnipped.com/

Your Death Penalty Questions Answered

2009-11-11T07:24:00.002-05:00

Yesterday you all had lots of good questions about the workings of the death penalty system. Today on the show we'll talk to Richard Dieter, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center to answer all your questions.

The Boob Test

2009-10-22T08:55:00.002-04:00

Can you tell the real boobs from the fake ones? Here's the link. We'll discuss this on Friday's show.

Billy Gets to Hug Vinnie

2009-10-16T10:37:00.001-04:00

Major Announcement: Vinnie is leaving New York City. Effective Immediately. Michael Billy gives him a goodbye hug.

Don't worry, Vinnie will still be on the air....but now from a mystery location.

"We did this for the show"

2009-10-16T06:43:00.002-04:00

Ahh, the refreshing honesty of six year olds.

R.I.P., Captain Lou

2009-10-14T16:54:00.001-04:00

Vinnie and Captain Lou, MSG 1979

Today's show brought to you by...the number 9!

2009-10-14T11:00:00.002-04:00

Vinnie flashes nine fingers with Scott Flansburg, the Human Calculator. Many of you asked about his book; It is called Math Magic. Sign your kid of for the American Math Challenge.

Mark Fuhrman

2009-10-13T08:12:00.003-04:00

Mark Fuhrman is in studio today to debate the media's role in police work. His new book is The Murder Business.

Happy Columbus Day!

2009-10-12T07:04:00.002-04:00

Ralph Cinque, author of Vinland, the new graphic novel about Lief Ericson, is on the show today to break the sad news to Vinnie that Christopher Columbus WAS NOT the first European to reach the Americas.

The Defamatory Tweets

2009-10-08T06:55:00.001-04:00

Twitter Hacker Lawsuit

2009-10-08T06:24:00.001-04:00

Read Vinnie Politan's Twitter Hacker Lawsuit HERE.

Or here:

Twitter Hacker Lawsuit -- Vinnie Politan Plaintiff

Peeper's Sketch

2009-10-06T08:26:00.001-04:00

Courtroom artist's sketch of Erin Andrews' peeper Michael David Barrett.

The Polanski tapes

2009-10-06T07:28:00.002-04:00

Hollywood has been quick to the defense of Roman Polanski. All week Vinnie has been livid that anyone would stick up for this child rapist, just because he made some good movies. In our last hour of the week, with some help from Andrew Goldberg of TheSmokingGun.com, we read the transcripts of Samantha Gailey's grand jury testimony, and of the proceeding where Roman Polanski entered his guilty plea.

Anyone that thinks Polanski did nothing wrong, anyone that thinks Polanski was tricked by a twisted judge, listen to these clips.

Ice Cream Girl Maria's Sully Tribute Song

2009-10-02T06:46:00.001-04:00

Check out The Ice Cream Girl Maria's website to see what else she's been up to.

Steph Watts

2009-09-28T07:10:00.001-04:00

Investigative reporter Steph Watts is in studio to tell us what he's working on these days. Follow his work on HIS BLOG.

We Heart Buttons

2009-09-28T07:07:00.005-04:00

Who's the DJ, Nicky Buttons' reality show, is underway. More pictures at DJ Clue's website: www.djclue.tv/

Legal Insanity Thursday

2009-09-24T08:27:00.002-04:00

Attorney, Bachelor, Former Comedian and Vince Vaughn sound-alike Eric Richman is in studio. Will he accept our offer to set him up on a date with your other favorite single lawyer Tamara Holder?

Vote for DJ React

2009-09-23T07:50:00.003-04:00

Nicky Buttons: By day Me & Vinnie board op. By night DJ React, night club superstar.

Breaking News: Nicky Buttons will be staring as a contestant on Who's the DJ, a reality show where top DJs will battle and cohabitate. http://www.djclue.tv/

Check out more of Nicky Buttons' music at his MySpace page. http://www.myspace.com/djreact

See him perform on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/DJReact33

And also follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJReact

Autism and the Law

2009-09-17T07:15:00.003-04:00

Autism expert Dr. Robert Melillo is here to discuss the case of an autistic teen accused of killing his mother. His book about autism is Disconnected Kids. More information at BrainBalanceCenters.com.

Rod Blagojevich Interview

2009-09-16T08:07:00.004-04:00

Vinnie and Dr. J with former Ill. Governor Rod Blagojevich

Discussed here: will Blago testify at his trial: will Patti Blagojevich take the stand; Christopher Kelly's death

Discussed here: Blago ranks the crimes of other disgraced governors; Rock n Roll v. Disco; Naked men; Rebbie Jackson

Discussed here: Who would Blago fight in a celebrity boxing match; Blago's favorite Chicago pizza place; Blago comparing himself to Gandhi in an NBC interview; Blago listens to himself sing Elvis karaoke

2009-09-14T06:40:00.003-04:00

Rod Blagojevich. What should we ask him on Tuesday? Post your suggestions below.

Here Comes the Judge

2009-09-10T07:08:00.003-04:00

Judge Lynn Toler, host of Divorce Court, is here today. Her new book is Put It in Writing!

Mexican world records!

2009-09-09T06:37:00.002-04:00

Mexicans are obsessed with breaking world records. Here's a video of the world record most people dancing together to Michael Jackson's Thriller.

More Renaissance Faire Pictures

2009-09-08T06:03:00.011-04:00

Vinnie and Michael Billy are the guests of honor at the jousting event

Vinnie and Michael, plus producer, Dr. J

Vinnie and Michael with the Queen

Medieval Justice

2009-09-07T17:15:00.002-04:00

Me & Vinnie at the Renaissance Faire

2009-09-04T06:13:00.005-04:00

Come see Vinnie and Michael perform at the New York Renaissance Faire on Labor Day.

Monday September 7th @ 2:30 PM
Vinnie and Michael will be performing during the Queen's Picnic
Right after the first joust, near the joust tournament

For directions and ticket info, visit www.renfair.com/NY/

Legalize It!

2009-09-03T08:32:00.002-04:00

Jacob Sullum, senior editor at Reason Magazine, is here to try to explain to Vinnie why legalizing drugs in Mexico is a good thing.

Sunda Croonquist in studio

2009-09-02T08:27:00.001-04:00

Sunda is being sued by her mother-in-law for defamation.

International Justice Mission

2009-09-02T07:12:00.005-04:00

Yesterday we talked about Twisted Traveler, a new inititive of international cooperation to combat the childhool sex trade and sex tourism. The topic raised all sorts of legal questions. Today, Kaign Christy, Regional Director of South East Asia for the International Justice Mission, joins us by phone.

In 2003, Congress passed the PROTECT Act to prevent child abuse. Here is the text.

Share Your Meatball Recipes HERE.

2009-08-31T11:54:00.003-04:00

We'll feature your meatball recipe in an upcoming "Meatball Monday!"

Post in comments.

Dr. J's "Jewish Meatballs"

2009-08-31T08:44:00.001-04:00

and here's the link to Dr. J's meatball recipe

Vinnie's Famous Meatballs

2009-08-31T08:41:00.003-04:00

VINNIE’S JERSEY STYLE MEATBALLS

1.5/2 lbs of ground meat (1/3 veal, 1/3 beef, 1/3 pork)
2 eggs
4 dashes of parsley
3 dashes of oregano
1 dash of crushed red pepper
3 dashes of pepper
5 tablespoons of grated
Locatelli pecorino romano cheese
Extra virgin olive oil
Loaf of Italian bread torn into little pieces OR breadcrumbs (at least 2 cups)

In a bowl combine the meat, eggs, parsley, oregano, pepper and red pepper and cheese. Then add the torn bread or bread crumbs VERY generously. Mix together with your hands. Form into about 12 medium sized meatballs… larger than a golf ball but significantly smaller than a tennis ball. In a skillet heat some virgin olive while browning the garlic cloves (don’t burn them). Place the meatballs in the skillet and brown the outside of the meatballs. After browning the meatballs place them on a dish covered with three paper towels to soak up the excess meatball juice. After soaking up the excess juice place the meatballs in your simmering sauce for 90 minutes… let it cool for ½ hour, then serve on top of spaghetti… all covered with cheese.

VINNIE’S SAUCE

4 LARGE CANS HUNTS WHOLE TOMATOES
4 CLOVES OF PEELED GARLIC
3 DASHES OF OREGANO
3 DASHES OF PEPPER
1 DASH CRUSHED RED PEPPER
3 DASHES PARSLEY
10 LEAVES FRESH BASIL
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

COVER THE BOTTOM OF A LARGE POT WITH OLIVE OIL. TURN STOVE FLAME TO MEDIUM TO HEAT OIL. WHEN OIL IS HEATED ADD GARLIC AND BROWN (DO NOT BURN) THE GARLIC IN THE BOTTOM OF THE POT. WHILE GARLIC IS BROWNING ADD PARSLEY, OREGANO, RED PEPPER AND PEPPER. WHIP THE WHOLE TOMATOES IN A BLENDER FOR 10 SECONDS. ADD THE TOMATOES, ONE CAN AT A TIME, ONCE THE GARLIC HAS BROWNED. TURN THE HEAT TO A MEDIUM HIGH FLAME UNTIL THE SAUCE BOILS. ONCE THE SAUCE BOILS TURN DOWN TO SIMMER AND ADD BASIL LEAVES AND MEATBALLS. LET SIMMER FOR ABOUT 90 MINUTES… LET COOL FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES ON STOVE AND SERVE ON TOP OF SPAGHETTI

Police Drop the Ball BIG TIME

2009-08-31T06:33:00.001-04:00

About Jaycee Dugard, the girl who was abducted 18 years ago, and found alive last week, who's captor was on federal parole:

Gordon Hinkle, a spokesman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said Mr. Garrido’s parole officer then interviewed Mr. Garrido, his wife and Ms. Dugard and learned of her true identity.
Mr. Hinkle praised his departments’ work and defended it against suggestions that parole officers had neglected to notice the backyard compound during numerous home visits.
“The way that the backyard was arranged, he basically cut the property in two,” Mr. Hinkle said. “It was very camouflaged with trees. It was a very stealth operation.”

Not too stealthy for Google Maps. The hidden sheds are clearly visible below:

LINK

2009-08-27T06:03:00.000-04:00

Surviving Disaster

2009-08-26T08:04:00.002-04:00

Cade Courtley, Navy Seal and host of the new series on Spike, Surviving Disaster, is here to teach us how to survive a terrorist attack and other potential disasters. Surviving Disaster premeres September 1 on Spike.

Happy 50th Birthday, HawaiI!

2009-08-21T09:37:00.006-04:00

Fifty years ago today Hawaii became the 50th United State. We celebrate Hawaii's rich culture today in studio with the help of some Hawaiians.

Jorge Mesa, the bass player of the Big Island Hawaiian Band

Josh Cho, Ukulele and Hawaiian Steel Guitar player, Big Island Hawaiian Band

Delicious Beef dish from the Hawaiian Island Grill in midtown Mahattan.

Delicious Chicken dish from the Hawaiian Island Grill in midtown Mahattan.

Robert Novak

2009-08-18T17:47:00.000-04:00

Vinnie Politan interviewed Robert Novak in Austin, TX, July, 2008

2009-08-14T06:13:00.003-04:00

The Hot Mormon Muffin 2010 Calendar is out. Chad Hardy, the excommunicated mormon who created the calendar, joins us in studio.

Check out the Mormon Muffin Youtube channel.

W. Kamau Bell

2009-08-14T06:11:00.001-04:00

W. Kamau Bell is bringing his show The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour to NYC. Dates and clips HERE.

2009-07-30T07:07:00.002-04:00

Samuel Logan is the author of This is for the Mara Salvatrucha. He joins us today to talk about life inside America's most violent gang.

Nicky and Billy...The Two Pitchers

2009-07-28T07:32:00.002-04:00

Gayface Game

2009-07-20T13:04:00.010-04:00

The following 4 men exhibit "gay face." Can you identify correctly which boys are gay, and which are straight? (HINT: At least one is straight.) The answers are coming later in the week.

Boy 1

Boy 2

Boy 3

Boy 4

------------------------------------------------

BONUS: You are now an expert on identifying gay men by their gay faces. But can you tell a top from a bottom? (Is there such a thing as "topface?" "Bottomface?") Of the four gay men in this image, which two are tops, and which two are bottoms?

2009-07-20T07:54:00.002-04:00

Comedian Wali Collins is here. Check out his line of motivational products at www.Y'Nevano.com.

New Me & Vinnie Video

2009-07-17T06:08:00.000-04:00

Now that MJ is gone....

2009-07-16T08:31:00.002-04:00

Who's the biggest celebrity icon alive? We say it's President Obama.

Diversity Bowl III

2009-07-14T08:03:00.002-04:00

Diversity Bowl III: Latina Woman v. White Man

Latina Woman: Gina Brillon

White Man: TJ McCormack

2009-07-13T08:44:00.002-04:00

Here's a video of President Obama throwing a baseball. Will he embarass himself at the all star game tomorrow night? He's throwing out the first pitch.

Nice.

2009-07-10T11:49:00.000-04:00

The impeccably dressed Sanford Rubenstein

2009-07-09T09:31:00.003-04:00

NYC legal legend Sanford Rubenstein in studio today.

2009-06-29T08:26:00.002-04:00

Dr. Michael Baden, famed forensic patholigst and author of Skeleton Justice, is here to shed some light on both Michael Jackson autopsies.

2009-06-26T06:29:00.001-04:00