Super Bowl XL Party Report

Going to Detroit? Don’t miss these XL parties

It’s Super Bowl week this week and the whole world is heading to Detroit. Motown has been the home to countless parties so far this week, but the best is yet to come this weekend.

Starting Thursday night through Sunday night parties hosted by Lions quarterback Jeff Garcia, Lions cornerback Dre Bly, (along with the Panthers' Julius Peppers, and Eagles' Donovan McNabb), Jerome Bettis, Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, Ja Rule, Magic Johnson, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and a host of others.

But Which Parties Are the Hottest?

For Thursday night, we picked the FHM Party hosted by model Vida Guerra and NY Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma at Club Envy starting at 9pm.

On Friday night, we’re going to have to hit up a couple of spots. We’ll first drop in at Big Boi's (of Outkast) Purple Ribbon All-Stars gig at the Fine Arts Theatre where Sleepy Brown, Bubba Sparxxx and Killer Mike will perform. After that show, we’ll head to P Diddy’s Cashmere Luxe Party at the Elysium Lounge. Good thing we’re on the list, since we don’t have the $150 to get in.

On Saturday night, we’ll chill with Terrell Owens at Club Envy then head over to the Shady Records Hip-Hop Party at the State Theatre with Eminem, Obie Trice and Stat Quo with Biz Markie on the wheels of steel. If we feel up to it, we’ll go to the Holy Hip-Hop XL-Extreme Lifestyle show to repent of our partying sins at the International Institute.

We’ll probably be too pooped to want to go out Sunday night after the game, but in case you do, check out this extensive list of all the things going on this weekend in Motown: Detroit Party Options.

Carl’s Jr. Gives Away Kobe, West and Jabbar Poster

To honor Kobe Bryant's 81-point game last week and celebrate a little Laker history, Los Angeles and Orange County area Carl’s Jr. restaurants are giving away a poster that feature the images of Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant. Forget that Carl’s Jr. is comparing Kobe to Jabbar and West, the restaurant wants you to buy food for the poster!

"For the last two years, Lakers fans showed their true colors by visiting Carl's Jr. restaurants to enjoy our delicious burgers and collect their sets of limited-edition Lakers bobbleheads." Renae Scott, vice president of regional marketing, said in a statement "This year, we're pleased to change things up by offering them a collectible poster to hang above their bobblehead sets -- free when they buy a large combo meal. It's a tasty opportunity to show support for a franchise that means so much to so many."

Mmm… tasty! Across the bottom of the poster is the inspiring phrase: “They Who Endure, Conquer.” Posters will be available until Feb. 26.

NFLers Getting Their Acting On

So what do athletes do when they don’t make it to the Super Bowl? Some make music, some go on vacation, and others make a movie. Patriots Willie McGinest and Jaguars Ephraim Salaam are appearing in the upcoming (straight-to-video?) film Free Agents, a story about a group of struggling football players who rob banks to pay the bills. The film also stars former NFLers Kyle Turley and Ray Crockett.

The film is being produced by Hooks & Taylor Entertainment which is also releasing the horror flick, 7eventy5ive, in which Kyle Turley also stars. According to the Web site both movies are "coming soon."

Dennis Rodman Drops Out Lingerie Bowl

After making a quick $40 grand for playing one game as part of the Brighton Bears of the British Basketball League, Dennis Rodman, through his agent Darren Prince, announced that he will no longer be commissioner of the PPV Super Bowl halftime diversion, The Lingerie Bowl.

Apparently the organizers signed a title sponsorship deal with an online casino that is in conflict of interest with Rodman’s endorsement deal with GoldenPalace.com online casino (yeah, you’ve seen the cheesy commercials). According to Prince, the deal with the competing online casino was done without The Worm’s knowledge.

Doesn’t matter though, Rodman will find another way to exploit himself.

Bits of a Player's Life

Former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete along with Jose Canseco will make a guest appearance on UPN’s Half & Half on Monday February 6. The cameos are part of UPN’s February sweeps programming hoping to get more viewers for its shows. Rick Fox will also come back in a February 9 episode of Love Inc.

According to the Miami Herald former NY Giant great Lawrence Taylor was bugging out at Miami restaurant Prime 112 last week. He apparently was drunk, grabbing bottles from different tables and approaching Michael Jordan’s table yelling, “Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Jordan!” Former NBA baller Charles Oakley, who was with Jordan, tried to get L.T. to calm down.

While Cuttino Mobley and his L.A. Clippers were putting a beating on the Denver Nuggets last week, thieves broke into his home and stole $500,000 in cash and jewelry among other items. You know, there are banks and safes you can put that kind of cash in nowadays. The Bel-Air crib was burglarized late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Police did not disclose if they had any leads.