Tom Colicchio's Wednesday News & Views

It seems as though half of the shows on TV these days are reality shows. Of that, maybe a handful are worth watching. I consider "Top Chef" to be one of them. Why? Aside from featuring some delicious looking creations that make me long for the day "smell-o-vision" is invented, "Top Chef" showcases people who have actual talent, whereas most reality TV shows do pretty much the opposite. Also, the head judge on "Top Chef," Tom Colicchio, may be one of the coolest people on television. Not only is Colicchio one of the most successful and talented chefs in the nation, but he manages to guide, instruct, and judge the contestants on his show without being a total asshole, something that is rare in the reality-TV-judge profession. Plus, for a somewhat overweight bald man, he comes off as incredibly suave, and interestingly enough, looks better bald than he does with hair: Bah! On your 50th birthday, please unpack your knives and cook something for us, Tom. Now, on to the news... -- To say Tuesday was a slow news day would be an understatement. It was so slow, the football team decided to take their annual "pool day" and relax after three practices in a 26-hour period. UK Athletics has a nice gallery of the mid-camp reprieve, along with a video of the festivities, which include an impressive back flip from Joker and many, many dives from offensive guard Stephen Duff: -- Don't think an afternoon at the pool means the team is any less focused on beating the Cards on September 2nd. In fact, Joker is impressed with how the team is bonding and mentally preparing for the season:

"We have a great locker room right now, I love this locker room," Phillips said. "We have guys doing the things the right way and especially the guys at the top are leading the young guys and teaching them how we do things. We need all 105 of these players to be with us when we play Sept. 2."

-- Keeping with the theme of family, Joker extended an invitation to all former Kentucky football players to attend practice on Saturday and stay for lunch to meet and greet with the current players. It's a nice gesture by the staff, who is going out of their way to include the alumni, some of whom have been very vocal about the future of the program over the past few months. Several former Cats have voiced their opinions, both good and bad, about Kentucky football, and it's encouraging to see Joker and his staff make sure they are heard. Any former players interested in participating in the event should contact Jeremy Jarmon to register. Coincidence? I think not. -- If you haven't read about the UNC academic fraud scandal, scroll down and check out one of the multiple posts on it. In short: Julius Peppers' transcript, which was accidentally published on UNC's website, is now proof that the fraud has been going on for at least a decade. Gregg Doyel was one of the first national media members to acknowledge the story on Tuesday, calling not only for an NCAA investigation, but for the banners to be taken down in Chapel Hill. What happens from here remains to be seen, but the issue is becoming harder and harder for the NCAA or media to ignore. Gregg will come on the radio show Wednesday to talk about the scandal, so be sure to turn in. -- UK Hoops' non-conference schedule was released on Tuesday, and features some huge matchups. The ladies will open the season against Delaware State on November 10th before traveling to Waco, Texas to take on 2012 National Champions Baylor in the State Farm Tip-Off Classic on November 13th. After a four-game homestead, they will face Louisville in the Yum Center on December 2nd, and in what has become an annual tradition, they will play a game in Rupp Arena, against DePaul on December 7th. Get it girls. -- After winning a National Championship and the gold medal, Anthony Davis has big expectations for his first year in New Orleans:

Sitting here thinking and this is what I've came up with. Nat'l Champion....Gold Medalist....all I need is a NBA championship to be complete

— Anthony Davis (@AntDavis23) August 14, 2012

That's all for now. Matt and the gang will be live from the Tap Room from the Whitaker Bank Ballpark in the morning in what promises to be a show not to miss. Don't believe me? John Short will be there.