Afternoon Greg: A Williams sisters final; R.I.P. Karl Malden; Whitney’s new song; Michael Jackson’s funeral

Greetings fron The OC!

I just arrived for a three-day visit with family and friends and also looking forward to watching a lot of tennis! Defending champion Venus Williams will be competing for her sixth title on Saturday. Across the net will be a familiar opponent: her little sister Serena Williams.

This will be the fourth final between the sisters. Serena won in 2002 and 2003 while Venus won last year and also defeated Serena in the 2000 semifinals. I give the edge to Venus who seems to be in better form during this fortnight demolishing top-ranked Dina Safina 6-1, 6-0 in the semifinals today. Serena had to survive a match point before edging fourth seed Elena Dementieva 6-7, 7-5, 8-6.

The knock on the Williams sisters used to be that their matches were terrible! Both struggled with playing each other and their matches would often be riddled with errors. But that has changed: Anyone who watched last year’s top-notch final or their quarterfinal showdown at the US Open a few months later can see that no matter what the rankings say, they are the two best players in the women’s game and two of the best of all time.

A GREAT ONE: A few years back, I was at the Academy Award Nominees Luncheon and one of my favorite moments was when, before the event began, I saw a then 96-year-old Karl Malden making his way into the ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Clint Eastwood, who was standing nearby, dropped everything and walked over to warmly greet the former Oscar winner and president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The Great White Way will dim its lights tonight at exactly 8 p.m. in memory of Malden who died yesterday at the age of 97.

Best known for his TV role on The Streets of San Francisco opposite a very young Michael Douglas, Malden won the Academy Award for his role in Tennessee Williams‘ A Streetcar Named Desire – a part he originated on Broadway. In all, Malden starred in  more than 20 Broadway productions including Arthur Miller‘s All My Sons, The Desperate Hours, Tea and Sympathy, and The Assassin.

He will be missed but what a long and great life!

ANOTHER GOODBYE: The time and date have been set for Michael Jackson‘s public memorial.

The service will take place on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Staples Center in downtown LA with the program being simulcast at the nearby Nokia Theatre.

Meanwhile, there is still much to be sorted out regarding Jackson’s estate and his children. Apparently the biological mother of the two oldest kids, Debbie Rowe, is undecided on whether or not she will seek custody. Good God, I hope she doesn’t! Any “mother” that gives her kids away (even if she did later get her parental rights restored) can’t be interested in raising kids. They’d be much better off with their grandma or Diana Ross in case the courts wants my opinion! The custody hearing has been rescheduled to July 13.

THE GREATEST VOICE OF ALL? It has taken so long for Whitney Houston’s comeback to actually happen that I started to doubt that it would ever happen! But, at long last, we have a new song – I didn’t Know My Own Strength – to listen to.

Now begins the countdown to the September release of her long-awaited album.

And now begins the July 4th weekend! There will be fresh material on the blog each and every day so between barbeques and fireworks, be sure to check in!