Major League baseball is coming to Japan! Shawn Novak the Japan rep for the league fills us in on all the details.

Here’s a link to the MLB Japan website: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/japan_series/y2006/

Game developer Dan Huffman tells us about a new game he developed loosely based on sumo called The Octogon Theory. Along the way, Dan will give you a chance to win one of free 5 games. And to win, you’ll need this email address:  dan@octagontheory.com

Here’s a link to The Octagon Theory Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Octagon-Theory/194285253947052

Here’s a link to the App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-octagon-theory/id475580556?mt=8

Within 30-minutes get updated about concerts coming to Tokyo with the music director of the Michael Jackson Tribute concert, Kaleb James. Along the way, Kaleb turns us on to some his recent music discoveries.

Movie/TV actress/singer/songwriter Lauren Mayhew has been rockin’ Tokyo’s NEW LEX deep into the wee hours. But, she made time to join us for lunch at Suji’s, and among the many things she told was that Steven Tyler slapped her ass! How many ladies can say that? OK, well, maybe that isn’t such a strong selling point. Listen to find out about the occasion, why and what the “okiguchi” one said to her. But there’s so much more…we also got this bright, savvy and vivacious TV actress (seen in CSI and LAW & ORDER)  to share her thoughts about Japan, and tell us her opinions about Newt, Mitt, AKB48, Johnny Depp and Britney Spears. Along the way Lauren introduces some of her high-powered dance songs. And, does she do her own love scenes? Listen to find out.

Coordination for this interview by Masuda-san and Bill Hersey of the New Lex and Kaoru Nakashima of Metropolis magazine. Be looking for more pictures of Lauren in our magazine as well as a Q&A interview section.

Seems we all like a sweet treat from time-to-time, and musician Ralph Rolle joins us ‘live’ (just after his gig with Philip Woo’s New York All Star’s) to tell us the news about his new cookie line that’s been picked-up for nationwide distribution by one of Japan’s biggest department store chains.

Sixteen bucks for a burger a the newly reopened Wendy’s!? You’ll hear about that in our conversation with Jeff Richards, managing editor of Metropolis magazine. Along the way, we’re joined by restaurant owner Desmond Soon who will be offering you a chance to get a free cup of specially brewed coffee from his newly opened Café Celi in Ebisu.

The DESCENDANTS will open in Tokyo this Spring under the name FAMILY TREE, and in this edition of the MetPod we’re talking with Jeff Peterson, the man who created some of the music for the soundtrack of this award winning movie. We’ll also be talking about the star of the movie, George Clooney with our Hollywood correspondent, Lisle Wilkerson who met and talked with Mr. Clooney on the red carpet at the Golden Globe award ceremony.

Philip Woo and members of his NY All Star Band

Former WOWOW TV-chef David Chiddo of Ivy Place

In this edition of the MetPod it ‘s all about food and music. The music will be provided by Philip Woo and his New Your All Star Band (actually the back musicians for Japan’s soul legend Toshinobu Kubota.) And to talk about food, David Chiddo joins us to talk about his new restaurant in Daikanyama called IVY PLACE.

Along with their recap you’ll also hear about Robbie’s fabulous (proposed) new TV show that’s designed to spotlight independent musicians,and you’ll also hear about her amazing late night Tokyo jam session with Stevie Wonder and Cyndi Lauper together, at the same time! Also joining in the conversation is the man who knows everything about soul music in Japan…the original SOUL SEARCHER himself, Mr. Masaharu Yoshioka.

Of course, as a reporter, I had to ask…”Was there any thought to holding a mass seance for Michael?”

Hear about some of the highlights of the concert from our soul reporter on the scene Yoshioka
Masaharu of the Soul Searchin’ music blog. He was there and files this report.

What’s in the future for METROPOLIS magazine? We’ll ask CEO Terrie Lloyd and COO Neil Butler How can it be more useful to you? And, we also talk about that
government contest that plans to award 10,000 free tickets to Japan.

Many of Japan’s top musical artists employ musicians from Los Angeles and New York to perform on the CD’s and in their concerts. With the coordination effort of “Soul Searcher” Yoshioka Masaharu, we had a chance to catch-up with three of these “culture chameleons;” Fenix, Ty Stephens and our friend “the cookie man,” Ralph Rolle.

Aerosmith in Tokyo!

Quick phone report by Ken Fridley from just outside the
Tokyo Dome immediately after Aerosmith’s final concert here.

You might know this compulsive young artist from her monthly column in the JAPAN TIMES. Meet Kit Nagamura and in addition to being a writer, she’s also a photographer and and and artist with a fascinating story to tell.

Professor Michael Di Stasio brings us up-to-date with Rock Challenge 2012. Click here for more details.

(Note to Keanu Reeves; hold your ears.) Our ever-cranky film critic rips Keanu and blasts “Shotgun” however he softens up when reading a Facebook message from a listener and when he’s reflecting on Christmas songs.

This week, Don Reviews; HENRY’S CRIME and HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN.