What can you say about a weekend in which an Irishman wins the British Open for the first time in 60 years, a Limey soccer player conquers Hollywood, an English novel sells 8.3 million in the U.S., the Mets take L.A. and two guys named Chuck & Larry are box office champs?

Get ready for the dog days of summer?

In a thrilling four-hole playoff, Irish bloke Paddy Harrington took the British Open over hard luck Sergio Garcia at Scotland’s Carnoustie Golf Club, the first time a son of the Eire has won the title since 1947.

As if that weren’t enough excitement for the Brits, the much-touted David Beckham made his debut as a member of the L.A. Galaxy at the Home Depot Saturday night, with around 12 minutes of exciting soccer action, capped by a tumble to the turf as the crowd held its collective breath over Mr. Posh Spice’s bruised ankle, which had held him out of the game until the end. Eva Longoria and Katie Holmes were both on hand sipping champagne with his wife Victoria Beckham for the occasion, while no less than Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Drew Carey (though not together) were also on hand for the momentous event. Not since Wayne Gretzky...

In other England Swings Like a Pendulum Do news, the seventh and final installment of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series hit book stores at 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning, setting off a frenzy of activity, as pubescents, adolescents and adults alike holed up all weekend with the fantasy. According to reports, the book sold a record 8.3 million in its first day in the U.S. alone. Now, if only CDs could generate that kind of excitement. Not even NSYNC at their peak could move that many.

The New York Mets took three of four contests from the L.A. Dodgers over the weekend, earning revenge for the three-game sweep at the hands of the Blue last month. Of course, it was our misfortune to bake in the 90-degree sun at the one game the Mets lost on Saturday, but yesterday’s thrilling, come-from-behind victory was enough to assuage my sunburn.

In box office news, Universal’s much-maligned Adam Sandler-Kevin James comedy, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, took in $34.8 million in its debut weekend to beat back WB’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, last week’s champ, which attracted $32.2 million. New Line’s Hairspray finished third with $27.8 million, while Paramount’s Transformers ($20.5m) and Buena Vista’s Ratatouille ($11 million) rounded out the Top 5.

Meanwhile, expect UMe’s Now 25 to top this week’s HITS Album Sales Chart, though the big story will be Universal Republic Malibu, CA, singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat, whose new album Coco, thanks to the hit single, “Bubbly,” will debut in the Top 5, with close to 60k, thanks to an incredible developing story at iTunes, where she sold almost 15k during a two-day period last week.

MEA CULPA: In last Friday's Trakin Care of Business, in a review of Nellie McKay's recent performance at the Largo in L.A., I stated that she rejoined her ex-Columbia A&R exec Mitch Cohen at Vanguard. While it is true her next album will be for Lawrence Welk's company, Cohen is actually at another "V" label, Verve. Sorry for the mix-up.

The N.Y. Times’ Jeff Leeds examines the success of Barry Weiss’ Zomba Label Group, with an in-depth profile here, while critic Jon Pareles takes a look at the cottage industry that is Prince here.

Newsday’s Glen Gamboa checks out the Crowded House concert in Manhattan here.

The L.A. Times’ Chris Lee examines the increasingly symbiotic relationship between rock bands and the advertising community here.

The L.A. Times’ Richard Cromelin checks in on the new and improved Ryan Adams here.

The L.A. Times’ Greg Burk ponders the heavy metal thunder of Ozzfest here, while Natalie Nichols revels in the wonder of Sonic Youth’s live performance of Daydream Nation at the Greek Theatre here.

The L.A. Times’ Steve Appleford sings the praises of French electronica pioneers Daft Punk’s performance at the sold-out Sports Arena here.

JA RULE, LIL WAYNE NABBED: Rap stars Ja Rule and Lil Wayne were each arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon after the latter’s concert at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan last night. Officers spotted Lil’ Wayne and another man smoking marijuana by a tour bus near 61st Street and Columbus Avenue at about 11:30 p.m., according to police, who took the two men into custody, finding the pistol. Both were charged with criminal possession of a weapon and marijuana.

LUCINDA’S SPECIAL N.Y., L.A. SHOWS: Lucinda Williams has announced an unprecedented five-night run of small venues shows in New York City and Los Angeles in September and early October, during which she’ll perform five of her eight albums, one a night, including Lucinda Williams (1988), Sweet Old World (1990), Car Wheels On A Gravel Road (1998), Essence (2001) and World Without Tears (2003) in their entirety. Following each album performance, Williams and her band will play a second set of material from her 2007 album West along with songs from throughout her career, plus some special surprises. Williams will be performing and the El Rey Theater in L.A. on Sept. 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. She will return to N.Y. to play the first two shows at Irving Plaza on September 29 and 30, followed by three shows at Manhattan's Town Hall on Oct. 2, 3 and 4. Williams will be performing the albums in reverse chronological order, beginning with 2003's World Without Tears on the first night and ending with 1988's Lucinda Williams on the final evening on each coast.

MUSIC ON TV TONIGHT: Grinderman on Letterman (CBS), Common on Leno (NBC), The Saints on Craig Ferguson (CBS), Dr. Dog on Conan (NBC)

LENNY BEER’S DISNEY FACTOIDS
DID YOU KNOW:
1) Between 1931 and 1969 Walt Disney collected 35 Oscars?
2) Donald Duck's middle name is Fauntleroy?
3) In Disney's Fantasia, the Sorcerer's name is Yensid, which is Disney spelled backwards?
4) The Black Hole, which came out in 1979, was Disney's first PG-rated movie?
5) Walt Disney's first cartoon character was called Oswald the Rabbit?

ON THIS DATE:
In 1955: Chess Records released "Maybellene," the first single by a guitarist called Chuck Berry. The song went to #1 and permanently entered the rock pantheon.

In 1991: Debbie Gibson previewed her upcoming tour production in the back yard of her Long Island home.

In 1993: Poetic Justice starring Janet Jackson and rapper Tupac Shakur was released.

In 1998: Culture Club, Howard Jones and The Human League kicked off their Great Rewind tour in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 2004: Courtney Love turned herself in at an L.A. police station. Love became a wanted woman after failing to appear at an arraignment to respond to a charge of felony assault with a deadly weapon.

In 2004: Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution tour kicked off in Cincinnati. Among the performers in the package jaunt were Snoop Dogg, Korn, The Used, Less Than Jake, Ghostface and Funeral for a Friend.