Since 1982 the National Basketball Association has awarded the Sixth Man Award to the league’s most valuable player for his team coming off the bench as a substitute. Well if you haven’t noticed this is the thecheappop and not the NBA, therefore for the first time ever we will crown that special someone with the one and only Stached Man Award.

For over 60 seasons, the NBA has had its share of many memorable moments but today and forever we glorify basketball’s many memorable mustaches..So vote now for your favorite slam dunking ‘stache… Read the rest of this entry »

Delightfully reeking of awkwardness
By Jon Chattman

Whether it’s the appeal of its ultra-eccentric stars or the hilarity of sketches involving such gems as hidden camera prankster Spaghett or father-obsessed singer Pierre , Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! has provided a belly of laughs on the Cartoon Network since it debuted last year. While the show continues to gain momentum, the truth is Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim have been splitting sides for years on the ‘net long before they took to the Adult Swim airwaves.

Thecheappop.com recently interviewed the wunderkinds behind “The Christmas Wish” and countless other examples of overall hilarious awkwardness, and found them super nice and, um, eccentric. Fittingly, the interview will play out the same. It will be uncomfortable for everyone involved while, at the same time, quite funny. With that in mind, for the first time ever, I will go against journalistic integrity and transcribe the interview in real time as I write this story in a wonderful and honest play-by-play style that would do Vin Scully proud if he knew who I was. Since it’s in real time, I will not rewind the tape. I’m a fast typer so I’m not worried about not capturing authentic soundbytes. If I do, however, I’ll simply paraphrase what either Tim or Eric said while keeping their statements true. We’ll start the interview as soon as I jump out of my office, and scream “Spaghett!” Done and done. Read the rest of this entry »

Don’t forget Wednesday is Chi McBride Appreciation Day on thecheappop.com. Kids, dress up like Chi to school. Parents, purchase DVDs of Boston Public, watch recorded Pushing Daisies episodes on your DVR, and take an hour to reflect on “The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer”

Diamond is forever
By Jon Chattman

Next week, American Idol contestants will be coached by the one and only Neil Diamond. So far, this season’s guest instructors (or whatever you want to call them) have been sort of uneven. Whereas Dolly Parton helped Michael Johns reach new heights (a lot of good that did in the long run - tsk, tsk), Andrew Lloyd Webber couldn’t do much for Jason Castro. That said, there is no question Neil Diamond will be a perfect ten for the final five contestants. Diamond is a Greek God whose career credits are legendary. For starters, he’s score numerous hit songs for himself and others (somewhere UB40 is smiling- I stress “somewhere”), and the Jazz Singer artist is the only man alive who got Sir Laurence Olivier to wear a yarmulke. We could go on, but like Idol itself, this article is going to let the contestants shine. We all know song selection is important on the show, and with the contest winding down swiftly, never before has that been more true. So, since they asked (they really didn’t), I’m here to recommend song choices for each of the contestants for next week. My gut tells me each contestant will perform two songs (that’s how it’s been in the past on the show), so here’s my breakdown of who should perform what, and why. Read the rest of this entry »

I have decided not to write about Nikolai Volkoff this evening. It’s 1 a.m. EST and I have work in the morning. I’d like to apologize to Mr. Volkoff (real name Josip Peruzovic) and his family for any pain thecheappop might have caused. Please know that our decision was a hard one to make. It tugged at our heartstrings all night, and by all night, I mean the last five minutes. I sincerely hope to write about Nikolai Volkoff as soon as humanly possible. The Croation wrestling legend who claimed to be from Russia is never too far from our thoughts and hearts. I go to bed knowing the world is a better place with him in it. Goodnight sweet prince. We will all dream about your remarkable cover of Jay and the American’s “Cara Mia.” Why must we say goodbye? Because it’s late…even for Mike Rotundo.

Underrated actor. Hilarious performer. Comedian. Singer. Plant owner. Rick Moranis is a legend. Like the immortal John Hughes, we hope this 1980s icon returns to theaters soon. With that said, we’d like to wish the brilliant actor who will forever be Louis Tully to us - a very happy 55th birthday.

OK so what if neither of them had mustaches. They were lovable anyway.

This is my now
By Jon Chattman

After watching the wonderfully inflated Idol Gives Back - well DVRing through it anyway - it dawned on me that next year’s show needs a format change. Instead of star upon star asking for pledges, and heartfelt and emotional vignettes featuring trips to less fortunate parts of the world, I suggest next year’s Idol Gives Back be focused solely on… wait for it… me. Read the rest of this entry »

Follow insightful discussions with Jon Chattman and Oren Phillips inside the latter individual’s lovely kitchen. It’s time for some ROLEPLAY!

Illustration by Brett Underhill
A lot of people have been asking me why the title is “Bert” and not “Burt.” It’s plain and simple. Rich and I wrote it on purpose that way to pay homage to a mutual friend of ours who has rocked the mustache. It also is a way of honoring Mr. Reynolds since their names are the same. In any event, in the weeks to come I’ll be posting info on the book galore - including more information on the book itself, signings, and local and national appearances.

I’ll also post notes like this one: Who had the guts to ask Daniel Day-Lewis’ reps if he’d be available to lend an advanced quote for The Book of ‘Bert’ just two days after he won an Oscar for his mustache-centric role in There Will Be Blood? Yours truly.

I’ll have more to report on the ‘Bert’ later this week and let everyone know how Rich and my mustaches are coming along. So far, so hairy.

‘Til then, take it easy and pre-order your copy of the book here.

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Thanks again for all of your support.

New Line Cinema
Nothing but net at Semi-Pro press conference
By Jon Chattman

On a gloomy