What August 15th Means To Me: Hard Knocks

One of the sadder casualties from last year's NFL lockout was HBO's decision not to air a season of it's football/inside training camp reality show, Hard Knocks.  But now it has returned.  Which means my Tuesday nights in August are back to...

 

Thank God.  I need something until the Amazing Race comes back to tuck me in every Sunday night this fall.

While I do think a football fan would appreciate the show more than someone who doesn't know the game, I have a feeling Hard Knocks will resonate with anyone, as it concentrates more on the human element of the NFL rather than X's and O's. I imagine that if you can get sucked into something like the Kardashians, you should have no problem enjoying the drama of Hard Knocks. 

And every so often it gives us some real reality television.  We were fortunate enough to have the Miami Dolphins as this year's subject, which means we were treated to a candid moment with coach Joe Philbin and Chad Johnson, who recently got arrested for headbutting his wife.  The altercation was the last straw for the enigmatic receiver, and he was promptly released from the team shortly after his arrest.

And because HBO has all access, his actual release has been documented for posterity.  Uncomfortable fidgets and all. (hopefully HBO doesn't take this video down in 5 minutes):

Now, if that was staged, give them both Emmys.  I look forward to the rest of the season.