Cubs manager Lou Piniella tried to dance around the issue this evening, especially in front of all the Houston reporters. When asked how closer Kerry Wood's blister was doing, Lou said: "He's a lot better." Yeah, but can he pitch today or tomorrow? "He's a lot better," Lou repeated. "That's as far as I'm going to go." In other words, no, Wood is still bothered by the blister on his right index finger enough for the Cubs to keep him out of tonight's and probably tomorrow night's game here in Houston. Depending on the situations, Carlos Marmol or Bob Howry will close. The Cubs also placed reliever Jon Lieber on the DL with a strained right foot and called up infielder-outfielder Micah Hoffpauir from Iowa.

All the possible adjectives I could use to describe how good "The Dark Knight" is have already been used by bloggers and reviewers the world over. So I won't use any more. I'll just tell you this: Yes, it really is that good.

"The Dark Knight" is not a superhero movie. "The Dark Knight" is a gritty crime epic that shares the sensibilities of, say, Michael Mann's "Heat." It is a real movie made for and by adults. Though it is rated PG-13 because a tentpole summer action picture must be safe for the kiddies, make no mistake: "TDK" is not a kids' movie. Not in any way, shape or form. You learn that early on when The Joker shows everyone his Disappearing Pencil Trick.

(Click here to get the full list of Emmy nominations. Winners are announced Sunday, Sept. 21.)

• My favorite funnywoman, Amy Poehler, has done the impossible: She has been nominated for best supporting actress in a comedy series for "SNL" the same day her departure from the show has been all but confirmed. No cast member from "SNL" has been nominated for anything since Will Ferrell in 2001, and he was nominated in the variety program category. Way to go, Amy! (Next stop: "The Office" spinoff)

• Does anybody watch "Mad Men"? I could barely get through the pilot episode. Why should I care about a bunch of chauvinistic, egotistical advertising executives? Anyone? Hello?

• In a surprise to no one, "John Adams" was the most-nominated TV program of the year, getting a staggering 23 nods. I'd say Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney are locks to win the acting categories. Tom Wilkinson should be -- his performance as Benjamin Franklin was the best thing about the whole mini-series, but he has to compete against fellow supporting-actor nominees David Morse (George Washington) and Stephen Dillane (Thomas Jefferson). Wilkinson also competes against Giamatti in the lead actor category with a nod for his role in "Recount."

The Cubs took off for Houston this afternoon, and they'll hold a light workout tonight at Minute Maid Park as they get ready to open the unofficial second half of play tomorrow against the Astros. The Cubs' all-stars will get a much-needed excused absence from the workout. Ted Lilly, Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster will pitch for the Cubs this weekend, with newcomer Rich Harden opening Monday at Arizona as Lou gives Harden's troublesome right shoulder all the time he can give it.

I know I'm about 30 years late in arriving at this conclusion, but here it is: ABBA is awesome. If loving perfectly crafted, catchy Swedish pop songs is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

We've all been inundated with ads for "Mamma Mia!" -- which has the unenviable task of opening this Friday against "The Dark Knight" -- and tonight I've been into some self-flagellation, listening to "ABBA Gold" over and over again on my iPod during work. I've been mumbling the words to "Fernando" under my breath for about an hour, and I came thisclose to belting out the chorus from "S.O.S." in the middle of the newsroom. (You're welcome, fellow night-deskers.)

I'm not breaking any ground by suggesting the CD is dead, but after watching Microsoft's presentation today at E3, I'm convinced the already old adage is true. (Never mind the fact I bought three of them Saturday night.)

Taking center stage at the presentation were music games, including the twin titans of "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero." Both camps had announcements to make that could have rather big implications for the music industry.

• The fabulously funny "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" didn't exactly set the world on fire with its $35 million opening weekend, but it was good enough for No. 1. It should lumber its way to about $75 million when all is said and done, but next week's new superhero entry -- something about a bat-dude and a killer clown -- will probably do twice that total next weekend.

• Speaking of which, WGN Radio's Nick Digilio gave a little preview Sunday night of his eventual review of "The Dark Knight" and said he would probably have to wear Kevlar to the studio next week.

Carlos Marmol will replace Kerry Wood on the NL all-star team. The timing of that announcement isn't great, given Marmol's nightmarish ninth inning yesterday. But given how Marmol dominated as a setup man for most of the first half, the all-star berth is probably deserved, and apparently, NL manager Clint Hurdle and his staff agreed. Marmol probably needs a trip to Tahiti more than he does a trip to New York, if for no other reason to get away from baseball and take a mental break.

It’s not all White Sox fans, but you know who you are. You’re the ones that have been demanding the Sox bench, release, trade or execute slumping first baseman Paul Konerko. Give me a break. True fans know that baseball is a marathon, and there is plenty of time for Konerko to turn it around. After going 4-for-4 and hitting a home run against the Rangers Saturday night, Konerko is still batting just .223. Not to worry. The White Sox’ captain was bothered by a sore right hand earlier in the season and he just came off the disabled list (for the first time in his career), after straining his left oblique muscle. The second half of the season lies ahead, so there is plenty of time for Konerko to regain his form and put up some big numbers.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen played for 16 major-league seasons, so he is well aware how the game can go. For example, Guillen urged his players to give maximum effort during the three-game series here in steamy Texas against the Rangers. Guillen knows the all-star break is coming on Monday, and he doesn't want the Sox ending a promising first half with a whimper. But that's exactly what he got in Friday night's 7-2 loss. Most of the White Sox looked like they'd rather be anywhere but on the baseball field, especially starting pitcher Gavin Floyd. Guillen doesn’t want to be seeing repeat performances on Saturday and Sunday. If the Sox don't respond, they're going to hear it from their manager.