The Buzz: Center of attention

IN HIS BLOG for the L.A. Times, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who turned 61 last week, was seeking to score some free stuff. He put forth three birthday wishes and asked readers to help him fulfill them.

None of the requests was selfless or immaterial, like encouraging people to donate to charity. On the contrary, he pleaded for a trail-riding trip, a tropical vacation and a rare kung-fu flick.

So what do you get for a multimillionaire, six-time league MVP and champion who should already have everything?

How about a reality check?

Jockular

Brett Favre is scheduled to appear on the "Late Show" on Thursday. In an act of sheer generosity, The Buzz has done half the work for David Letterman's crack writing staff. Here's a top 5 of Favre's potential pursuits now that he has retired:

1. Co-author a book - "The Art of the Untimely Interception" - with fellow retiree Steve McNair.

2. Upgrade jeans endorsement to GUESS?

3. Meet the Pope to exchange a real Hail Mary.

4. Pay for John Madden's therapy.

5. Team up for a buddy comedy with Jon Favreau titled "I Now Pronounce You Hard to Pronounce."

Gifted program

Ben Roethlisberger said he'd pay for Tony Romo to go on a vacation to Mexico before the Steelers and Cowboys play this season, alluding to Romo's getaway prior to the playoffs and the Cowboys' subsequent collapse.

To counter, The Buzz figures Romo would buy Big Ben a Harley and a copy of the movie "Crash."

Take a chance

The Minnesota Timberwolves are offering season tickets for next year at a per-game price of whatever number lottery pick they land. For example, if they nab the top selection, it's $1 each game and $43 total. (They tack on an extra $2 for some reason.)

If that doesn't sell seats, how about a pay-the-outside-temperature rate? (If it's in the negatives, the team gives out cash.)

Or fans fork over $1 for each T'wolves player they can name? That way, no one gets ripped off.

Back to Nature Boy

Last week, U.S. Representative Sue Myrick of North Carolina displayed a flair for the dramatic, taking the floor to laud recently retired pro wrestler Ric Flair. Myrick even capped her speech with Flair's trademark exclamation, "Woo!"

C-SPAN was proud to finally capture something the public found entertaining.

Jets set

Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens had Pope Benedict XVI bless his infant daughter. Not to be outdone, Chad Pennington had His Holiness bless his throwing arm.

Fill 'er up

Tapping into his popularity, Dale Earnhardt Jr. opened Whisky River, an enormous bar in Charlotte, last week.

There's no 'E' in the title, but there should be no 'W' - Earnhardt hasn't had a first-place finish in 70 races.

Royal pain

Call it a parting shot: In the Milwaukee Bucks' second-to-last game of the season, guard Royal Ivey punched Chicago Bulls center Aaron Gray in, shall we say, a gray area.

It's unclear why Ivey grew wild.

Online poll

ESPN execs axed a podcast matching writer Bill Simmons and Barack Obama. Would you have listened? Vote and see the results at PilotOnline.com