Huck and Joe

Joe Wurzelbacher, aka 'Joe-the-Plumber' appeared last night on Huckabee. Joe said, "When you can't ask a question of your leaders anymore, that gets scary, and that bothers me."

Part I:


And Part II:


It bothers me, too, Joe.

Identical Cousins

Prognosticating about tonight's SNL: perhaps Tina Fey and Sarah Palin will open the show with the theme song from "The Patty Duke Show."



And, of course, there's a possibility of doing a political twist on "The Parent Trap" [and not the Lindsay Lohan lame-o version, either].

I think they'll make the humor come from the uncanny resemblance and not from politics. That would be too risky for NBC to do because Palin might come off looking good.

ADDED: Wouldn't it be hilarious if Amy Poehler just went into labor on national TV?

SNL Funnay

This is the sketch that had David and me laughing into the commercial break. I don't know if it just struck a funny bone with us. But it's definitely not political.

What I Watched Instead of Night 3 of the DNC

Netflix blessed us with the last DVD for the HBO series "The Wire." The season had 10 one hour episodes and we started the night with episode 8, promising ourselves it would be all and then bedtime. But after the hour, which seemed about as long as a preview, we forged on to watch another hour. We told ourselves that it was the thing to do so we could 'just finish off the disc.'

I forgot I was watching TV.

We looked to the season/series finale, a disc all its own, and realized the last episode ran for 1.5 hours. Well, that would put us going to bed around 2 a.m.

We slept in. It was better by quantum measures over watching the democrats. Real time with a real man and one of the most excellent dramas to grace the small screen? I chose well.

Chuckling Commerce

I saw this ad the other day and it cracked me up. I suspect I'm the target demographic for E*Trade because I just thoroughly enjoy this series.

Sevens

Milestones big and little to note today. The littlest: my site meter clicked over 77,777 today. I think I know the pal in Minnesota who was the lucky visitor.

Another: on advice from a couple people, I gave Dave the HBO mini-series "John Adams" for Father's Day. That was the best 7 hours of television I've spent in about 10 years. It was excellent from start to finish. I'm now enjoying the book.

The biggest, at least for me: tomorrow marks the second year since my dad died. A little over 700 days of a world without my father has passed swiftly because of my day-to-day duties with little ones. But there have been many times where his memory burbles up unbidden. Tears sometimes well up, but mostly warm memories envelope me.

Counting Little Blessings

I've had a few little blessing this week for which I'm thankful:
~My dental hygienist said she looked at her calendar, saw my name on it and knew it would be a good day. It was an easy, quick cleaning and no problems to report. After seeing poor Christopher Hitchens' struggle with his 'British teeth,' I felt blessed.

~I got a hit from Althouse and also a personal email from Hillary Clinton responding to my emailed question to her. Well, it was a little generic, but it seemed personal.

~"The Office" returned to the Thursday night line-up with an all new [and trying a little too hard, but that's o.k.] episode.

These Were My Winners of the Commercial Bowl

I simply loved these ads. Remembering that the elements of comedy are surprise, exaggeration and reversal, I'll tell you they both have it all. Note that the baby is using a webcam. [They grow up so fast!] Knowing my child, that's not too much of a stretch.



And the twin ad for E*Trade:


And, yes! Clowns are creepy.

SAG Musings

I noticed from good ole Reader_Iam's comment over at Althouse that the SAG Awards were on TV. I found them on the re-hash and watched 'til almost one a.m. Why? I don't know why, but I really enjoy awards shows.

Some errant thoughts:
--unlike previous bra-less shows, these really were the "Sag" awards because of the very old actors being honored. [Ruby Dee, Hal Holbrook, Julie Christie, Mickey Rooney, Charles Durning and more.]
--Tina Fey is a delightful woman with the heart of a writer. She delivered the nicest, most gracious acceptance I think I've heard in years. I can't help but like her.
--When Alec Baldwin won the award and was absent, laughter bubbled up within me, wondering if his little girl, Ireland, would leave a harsh voicemail on his cell phone, haranguing him for not being at his appointed place at his appointed time. ["Daddy, you big, selfish pig!"]
--I am glad the Sopranos went out with a bang.
--Steve Carrell should kiss Ricky Gervais's shoes for all Gervais's influence on Carrell's work life.
--I don't mind the writers being on strike for awards shows because they move a lot faster.
--I was surprised they got Heath Ledger on the RIP reel, but glad they made the effort.
--Tom Cruise ended the show and all I could think of was that weird scientology vid of his.

DVD Review: "Extras"

Dave and I are enjoying the HBO Comedy Series, "Extras," starring Ricky Gervais of the original "Office." My cheeks and stomach hurt from laughing so hard. The funniest bits, by far, were on the Bonus Features, which included outtakes and special vignettes. We learned a new term, "corpsing" which is the British equivalent of breaking up. It reminded me of the classic bits on "The Carol Burnette Show" when Tim Conway would get Harvey Korman to break character. The show is a little risque, and features moments of social discomfort, all to a hilarious end. I think Ricky Gervais is brilliant.

TV and Jammies

Ah! Something to watch tonight! I'm flipping from American Idol to FoxNews [Michigan primary results] to MSNBC where I'm watching three tired democrats debate. Hillary does well in this format because it's low-key and she doesn't get screechy. I can't agree with any of their big government intervention into the minutiae of my life, but I do like the format.

[Audio input: Annie on the intercom singing Ma Ma Ma, Ma Ma Ma to the tune of "Jingle Bells." I should probably put together an MP3 of these kids while they're little and their voices are sweet. ]

Crap! The man has wrenched the remote from my hands. We're onto the Discovery channel showing how bowling balls are made.

Evening in America.

Two Things I Misheard Susan Estrich Say on FoxNews

What I heard: We've all been writing, 'Hillary's a bitch, you airy.'

What she said: We've all been writing Hillary's obituary.

What I heard: Looks like we've got a whore's race now.

What she said: Looks like we've got a horserace now.






It's late and Susie Estrich has a weird voice which sounds like the love child of Harvey Fierstein and Carol Channing after a night of chain-smoking.

Date Nights: We're Wired

Dave and I are well into the fourth season of "Wired" on DVD and we scramble to watch a couple episodes each night. It's so riveting. How did these guys re-make the crime drama genre, using real-looking people as thugs and cops and dockworkers and get us to know and care about all of them? Amazing and worth a rent. It takes a different pace: one season accomplishes what most crime dramas accomplish in one episode. All the better to savor.

And I reiterate: Dominic West is hubba-hubba. In this season, however, I only get passing glances of him. He must've been filming "300" when this season was being done.

My HBO swoony dream? Jimmy McNulty [West] and Seth Bullock [Tim Oliphant]. Aaaaaye!

ADDED: See for yourself.

Caucus? Nope. The Wire

We finished "Rome" a couple nights ago. Perhaps the best 24 hours of TV watching I've spent in a long time. We started season 4 of "The Wire." Which is perhaps the best 36 hours of TV watching I've spent in a long time. So far.

Rome Sweet Home

I'm watching the second season of "Rome" with my man on the DVD. Rome with my Sweetie at home.

What I Miss Most About the TV Writer's Strike

I've gotten out of the TV watching habit almost completely. NetFlix and blog time have replaced it. But the things I miss are the opening skit of Saturday Night Live, and Jay Leno's monologues and Stephen Colbert's "Word". I don't always watch all of them, but seeing a few minutes of each of them gives me a really good feel for how the politicians are faring. Is Hillary's lead really evaporating? Are they [humor pundits] turning on her? Or are they making gentle fun or her and helping her out? Do they drench Romney or Huckabee in that scary religion stuff? Both? What gets the biggest laugh from the live audiences? I'm no pollster, but the humor pundits do also have an influence. And now they are missing out on some of the best comedy gold that could be mined.

Thirst-Days

With these lengthening nights, I have the desire to sit at home in some comfy pajamas and snuggle with my man while watching TV. I especially miss my favorite--'The Office'-- on Thursdays due to the writer's strike. Dave broke the news to me that the whole season of '24' has been cancelled as well. I fill the time after the kids are in bed with more computer, but I really miss the tube this time of year.

Author's Note: There Is No Editor

The old link to this classic is defunct. Enjoy this 'new' one.



And Happy Thanksgiving!

Best SNL Opening Sketch in a Long Time

I am so glad Darryl Hammond continues to play Bill Clinton. And Amy Poehler is brilliant as Mrs. Clinton. The elements of humor are surprise, exaggeration or reversal. This bit has it all.


I am betting Obama gained 5 points on this sketch alone.

My, They're Starting Early

I saw an ad on TV for Christmas today. I sighed and thought, "Well, at least they had the decency to let Hallowe'en end."

A little later, on CNN, I saw an ad that said, It's just a year away! regarding the '08 presidential election.

Sheesh. It's like they're counting the days or something.