The media learning curve: Oct. 24-31

It was a productive week at the Media Learning Center, even with some issues that we didn't even care to tackle because of the fact, well, who really cares?

We feel smarter, and it's not at the expense of someone else's blunder. OK, Danyelle? Why jump all over here, when TNT's Charles Barkley said something even more ridiculous, about Isiah Thomas. (linked here).

For now, we'll review what we know about the media from the last seven days:

== As context to the column on Petros Papadakis (linked here), we have his schedule of work this week (linked here), then a buttload of more photos from his appearance on the "Best Damn Sports Show Period" tonight on FSN West (linked here) that's sure to scare the living Hollywood Halloween out of you.

== L.A.'s NFL Week 9 TV guide: A Charger- and Raider-free viewing zone, so sleep away the afternoon until New England-Indy shows up on Channel 4 (linked here).

== L.A.'s college football Week 10 TV guide: Don't mess with Texas. Or Texas Tech. Don't you just Lubbock? (linked here).

== What does Fox do to improve its World Series ratings, which hit an all-time low? Reinvent the wheel of misfortune (linked here) by going old-school (beyond what McCarver may even think).

== By the way, Fox's spin on Game 4 1/2 of the World Series: Appreciate what you just witnessed -- it was historic! (like watching a storm wipe out a village) (linked here). Also, everyone loves to blame Fox for the mess of the '08 World Series in total, but is it fair (linked here).

== A lot of folks (relatively) watched the Breeders' Cup (linked here).

== Slamball makes a network run -- actually, one time, Sunday, 3 p.m., Channel 2 (linked here).

== More detail than anyone should have to know about why ESPN planned a "Monday Night Football" game in Washington DC on the night before the national elections (linked here).

== Why if Chris Berman happens to refer to Obama as "Osama," it wouldn't be the first time an ESPN guy did it this week (linked here).

== On who has put Kobe Bryant on the cover of their magazines, and why some seem more artworthy than others (linked here).

== ESPN's X Games finally gives equal pay to those who don't have added schnozzle on their snowboard (linked here).

== NFL broadcasters have started to whine to Roger Goodell (linked here).

== Did you get the free taco that was promised to you from watching the World Series (linked here).

== If you find yourself Googling Doris Burke more often these days, it's not only legal, but you aren't alone (linked here).

== You heard about these senators still harping about the NFL and its' NFL Network airing games (linked here).

== If we ever hear Trevor Denman (left) utter the phrase "Booyah" during a horse race, we'll never watch the Sport of Kings, Queens and Deadbeats again (linked here).

== Does exposure on TV help you get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and does that help you on your resume when searching for a new job (i.e., Joe Theismann) (linked here).

==FSN's college hoops package doesn't start until later this month, but we have the schedule (and some dandy shots of USC and UCLA cheerleaders of the court) (linked here).

== The new element of NBA TV: You pick the Tuesday game (linked here). The followup: Boston-Houston won, with more than 60 percent of the vote, and will air on Election night.

== And other news of note (linked here).