Talking Squawk, the official "Squawk Box" blog, provides tidbits, insights and some sarcastic reflections on the WEEK THAT WAS and the WEEK TO COME from the notepad of the show's senior executive producer.
Top 10 bands! (the fans respond)
OK, I promised. So now I have to deliver. Last week, we asked you to post your all-time top 10 bands on our Facebook page and I would consider putting them in this blog. So if you're only here to see if your name made the blog, you can scroll down to the end and look for your list.
(Don't worry, I won't be offended that you have absolutely no interest in all the effort we have put in to make the rest of this blog a fun, educational, readable and entertaining experience. Don't feel guilty. Just jump right to the end. No hard feelings. Enjoy the rocket ride to fame that we may be providing you. Relish this launching pad to a public life of red carpet movie premieres, wild post-event parties, and multiyear seven-figure book and movie contracts.)
Now now for the six of you who are left (Hi Mom! ... Hi Aunt Lory!) Let's talk Obamacare.
Ugh, this thing's a mess
It's so bad, I don't want to talk about it. But we had a variety of guests on this week sounding various alarm bells. So I'll pass on their thoughts and then you can decide for yourself just how much of a mess this whole thing has become. Senator Lamar Alexander told us it's so bad that it's almost impossible to fix. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson says Obamacare may need its own version of a taxpayer bailout. We found computer programmers that wrote a code for a website called The Health Sherpa—designed to make shopping for health care simple. (And they wrote the code in just three days!). A cybersecurity expert who testified before Congress said: Fix Obamacare site? "Better chance of seeing God."
In the Black
Scott Black, president of Delphi Management, has been a friend of "Squawk Box" for almost 15 years. He's got a winning track record for picking stocks and always comes to the show prepared with some new investing ideas and the facts to back up his case. Scott visited this week with a few more names he says are worth a look. So get a pen and paper out to write down his picks and then you can decide for yourself.
Super Mario
Billionaire value investor Mario Gabelli told CNBC Thursday that he sees big opportunities in media stocks—Time Warner, News Corp., Viacom, and Discovery will double in five years. Read about it here.
Elon Musk … the next Steve Jobs?
Steve jobs changed the computer business, the music business and the movie business. Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk changed the electronic payment business as the co-founder of PayPal. Now he's trying to change the way we make cars via Tesla (and the way we think of space travel through SpaceX). So is Musk the next Jobs? We asked Walter Issacson—the man who wrote the book on the Apple founder.
Tesla troubles and fortunes
Tesla's Model S—the focus of a federal investigation—has topped the latest owner satisfaction survey from Consumer Reports. Our car guy, Phil LeBeau, looked at the annual survey of new car buyers, which gave the electric car a rating of 99 out of 100. CR says the near-perfect score is the highest a vehicle has received in several years. The Model S finished ahead of the No. 2 Porsche Boxster and the Chevy Volt, which finished third with a rating of 91. The Volt topped the CR owner satisfaction survey in 2011 and 2012.
The Fed taper guessing game
Following this week's release of the minutes from its October meeting, the Federal Reserve looks set to move sooner rather than later to taper its bond buying—once more surprising markets that have been repeatedly confused about the Fed's timetable. Here's analysis from our online markets guru, Patti Domm.
Meanwhile, Pimco's Mohamed El-Erian weighed in with a warning about the Fed's shrinking "safety net" under stocks and other risk assets.
Agent Tim Geithner, private equity warrior?
Say it ain't so, Tim Geithner—hero of the financial crisis, the man who helped save a nation. Could mighty Tim even consider joining the crowd of evil, greedy, money-hoarding, jet-setting, yacht-owning, Lamborghini-driving, supermodel-on-each-arm private equity players!?
Absolutely! But before you pass judgment, Check out Andrew Ross Sorkin's column in The New York Times.
Squawkward Moments
Joe: "There is a cultural reference to almost everything in Seinfeld. And I intend to use them all."
Andrew: "If it's any help … I am Master of my own Domain."
Earnings on tap (short and quiet for the Thanksgiving week)
- Monday: Fifth Street Finance and Destiny Media
- Tuesday: Barnes & Noble, Children's Place, Hewlett-Packard, Hormel Foods, and Tiffany
- Wednesday: Isle of Capri Casinos
Dude, you're getting a Dell
Actually, Michael Dell is getting a whole bunch of Dells now that he's back in charge and has taken the company private. He's one of the richest people in the U.S. and a true American success story. He came to "Squawk" this week to give us his vision for the company now that Carl Icahn is finally in his rearview mirror. Read about it here.
Must follow them @
Follow our anchors! @joesquawk, @beckyquick and @andrewrsorkin
Word Jumble
Joe and Becky continued their years-long Word Jumble grudge-match, but Becky has asked that the win-loss count be redacted this week. In the spirit of the "Hunger Games" (second movie "Catching Fire" out this weekend), "The odds were not in Becky's favor."
But here's a bonus word for each of them. Joe's word is COKUOC. Becky's word is IKKRCE. The answers are at the end of this blog (after all the band lists).
Mark your calendar (or set your DVR)
- Monday Guest Host: Jurrien Timmer, Fidelity Investments
- Tuesday Guest Host: Kevin Warsh, former Federal Reserve Board governor
- Wednesday Guest Host: Byron Wien, Blackstone Advisory Group
- Thursday: Markets Closed ... Happy Thanksgiving!
- Friday: "Squawk Box" Black Friday Special!
BTW
Sony says it sold more than 1 million PlayStations 4 video game consoles during the first 24 hours on the market. It's Sony's first hit since the Walkman (well, kind of). This week, Microsoft responded with the Xbox One. It could be Microsoft's first hit since Windows XP (again, kind of). We here on "Squawk Box" are hoping Atari's newest game console will be ready by the end of the year.
Next week's economic calendar
- Monday: Pending Home Sales and Dallas Fed Survey (10 a.m. ET)
- Tuesday: Housing Starts (8:30 a.m. ET)
- Wednesday: Durable Goods and Jobless Claims (8:30 a.m. ET)
- Thursday: Markets Closed ... Happy Thanksgiving!
- Friday: Black Friday!
The corny-sappy motivational business-based inspirational quote
"Intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana."
—Bill Gates
The fans have spoken: Top 10 bands of all time
We got an overwhelming response to our request for your Top 10 Band List. So if you posted a full list (or nearly a full list) on our Facebook page (go Like us if you haven't already), scroll down and see if your list made our list! (Then share it with all your Facebook friends and tell them you are now famous!)
Grace Lewis: Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Jefferson Starship, Crosby Stills & Nash, Janis Joplin, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Starland Vocal Band, ZZ Top, Rascal Flats
Mike Sigler: Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, From Good Homes, Dave Matthews, Rod Stewart, Journey, U2, Mumford & Sons, Colin Hay, The Police (and Sting)
Karlene Cortner Cooper Strayer: Jackson Browne, Fleetwood Mac, Dan Fogelberg, Bob Seger, Allman Brothers, Eagles, Matchbox 20, John Mellencamp, Melissa Ethridge, Sarah McLaughlin
Jennifer Lynn: Alter Bridge, RUSH, Creed, Tremonti, Slash, Beetles, AC/DC, Metallica, Pink Floyd, Nickelback
Michael Harty: Kansas, Beatles, Paul McCartney, Chic Corea, Yes, Led Zeppelin, Lionel Richie, Todd Rundgren, Allman Brothers, The Who
Kim Neighbors: Widespread Panic, Eric Clapton, The Grateful Dead, Bob Marley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin
Jeff Mattero: Steely Dan, The Doors, Neil Young, Allman Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix
Connie Wasik: Squirrel Nut Zippers, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Parliament, Prince, Hall & Oates, The Temptations, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Elvis Presley, The Jackson Five
Brian Lenz: The Beatles, Genesis, Duran Duran, R.E.M., The Smiths, The Grateful Dead, Madonna, U2, Depeche Mode, Morrissey
Tim Lindsay: Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Eagles, Pink Floyd,The Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dire Straits, Toby Keith, Kelly Clarkson
Stephen Maxwell: Steely Dan, The Beatles, Todd Rundgren, The Who, The Kinks, Buddy Holly, Cat Stevens, Mark Knopfler, Neil Young, Bob Dylan
James R. Kester: Jackson Five, Elvis Presley, Allman Brothers, Creedance, CSN&Y, The Band, The Eagles, The Steve Miller Band, Traffic, The Temptations, Curtis Mayfield.
Rosco Coltrain: Green Day, Santana, Sarah Evans, B-52's, Pink Floyd, The Allman Brothers, Del McCroury Band, Allison Krause & Union Station, Dire Straits, Ted Nugent
Steven Thompson: Dream Theater, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, Porcupine Tree, Slayer, Yes, Megadeth, Metallica (1983-91)
Charles Howard: Jethro Tull, Steely Dan, The Allman Brothers, Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Winter, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley & Wailers, Muddy Waters, Grateful Dead
Bill Basir Leslie: Frank Zappa, Björk, Depeche Mode, Bob Marley, Jethro Tull, The Police, Led Zeppelin, Traffic, Jimmy Buffett, Ani DiFranco.
Doug Oswald: Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Byrds, The Eagles, Leon Russell, Neil Young, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead
Ken Hillary: Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Queen, Simon & Garfunkel, John Prine, Kris Kristoferson, Steve Miller Band, Eagles
Pete Bowling: The Beatles, CSN&Y, The Beach Boys, The Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, Bruce Springsteen, Chesney, Kenny Loggins and Cat Stevens
Thomas Nance: Iron Maiden, Flogging Molly, KISS, Rammstein, Boston, Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, Journey, Van Halen, Tiger Army
Ryan Hayes: AC/DC, Van Halen, Bruce Springsteen, Kings of Leon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, Foo Fighters, Bon Jovi, U2, The Beatles
Steve Berberich: The Beatles, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, CCR, John Mellencamp, Pink Floyd, The Doobie Brothers, The Who, Bob Seger, The Silver Bullet Band, Heart
Mike Noennig: IQ, Genesis, Yes, Kansas, Neal Morse, Magenta, Pendragon, Jadis, The Watch, Landmarq
Dib Nath: Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, Steely Dan, Black Sabbath, Yes, RUSH
Dorothea O'Connell: Kansas, Journey, The Who, The Moody Blues, Foreigner, Styx, Eric Clapton, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Queensryche
Walt Zawislak: Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Beach Boys, Steely Dan, Van Morrison, The Temptations, Jethro Tull, Joe Cocker, Jimmy Buffet, Toby Keith
Steve Sanders: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Yes, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Genesis, Kansas, Jimmy Buffett, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton
Chris Cosby: The Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, Kansas, Blue Oyster Cult, Little Feat, The Band, Talking Heads
Phil Bryson: Kansas, RUSH, The Rippingtons, Mr Big, Stryper, Point of Grace, Mötley Crüe, Dixie Dregs, Steely Dan, Tower of Power
Evan Branson: Bruce Springsteen, Kansas, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Black Crowes, U2, The Beatles, The Who, Alter Bridge, Led Zeppelin
Joanne Jadico Jackson: Chicago, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, ELO, Jethro Tull, Creedance Clearwater, Sly & the Family Stone
Bob Eben: The Beatles, Chicago, Kansas, Queen, Dixie Dregs, Crack The Sky, Pink Floyd, Yes, Rush, Led Zeppelin
Yusef DeLayeffitte: Bob Marley & Wailers, Sade, The Rolling Stones, Prince, A Tribe Called Quest, George Clinton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Wu-Tang Clan, Outkast
William Chestnut: Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, The Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix & The Experience, CCR, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Fleetwood Mac, U2, Coldplay, Grand Funk Railroad, Alabama Shakes
Susan Purks Romberger: The Beatles, Queen, CSN&Y, Creedence, Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band, The Police, Journey, Nirvana, Green Day, The Eagles
Jeffrey Feierstein: The Moody Blues, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Crosby Stills & Nash, Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, The Young Rascals
Don Shanley: The Beatles, The Eagles, Journey, Kansas, Kenny Chesney, John Mellencamp, Dave Mathews, Jimmy Buffett, Styx, The Beach Boys
Tim Carson: Led Zeppelin, Adrenaline Mob, Display Case, Black Sabbath, The Doors, Waylon & Willie, The Who, Sixx:A.M., Frank Zappa, UFO
Dave Mac Donald: Little Richard & The Upsetters, Buddy Holly & The Crickets, The Beatles, Dire Straits, The Ventures, The Rolling Stones, The Coasters, The BeeGees, Cream, Chuck Berry & The Johnnie Johnson Trio
Jeffrey Raff: Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, The Who, The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, The Eagles, Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Moody Blues (This does include individual performers like Billy Joel, Todd Rundgren, Joe Jackson and Elton John, who are as good if not better)
Mark Misiti: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Earth Wind & Fire, CSN&Y, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, The Police
Mike Henderson: The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton ... does anyone else matter?
—By CNBC's Matthew Quayle. Follow him on Twitter @matthew_quayle.
*Joe's Jumble bonus word answer: COKUOC=Cuckoo
*Becky's Jumble bonus word answer: IKKRCE=Kicker