AIG Pie-In-The-Face Bonuses

I certainly would never advocate violence toward the 96 individuals who divvied up that $165 million bonus pot; still, they are thieves and as thieves they should have reason to look over their shoulders now and for the foreseeable future. Therefore, I’m suggesting a Pie-In-The-Face-Of-AIG-Bonus-Recipients campaign. I’ll keep score right here and post pictures if you supply them.

American Idol According to the Script

If we can agree that the judges’ opinions have an effect on voting, and that the producers of the show have preferences regarding contestants that are more about ratings than vocal talent, then we can face the fact that to a large extent these shows are scripted.

Because of this, it was necessary last night for all four judges to heap praise upon Adam Lambert who took screeching off-key to a new level. Their reaction to his performance for anyone who isn’t tone death had to be mind boggling. Same goes for that big ol’ country bumpkin Michael Sarver. Though he displayed more singing ability than Lambert, it was mediocre karaoke at best. But, not for the judges. They also sung his praises. Guess they don’t want to waste all that down home footage.

On the other hand, they were not impressed by Megan Joy whose voice has a quality professionals would die for. Matt Giraud, Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, Scott, Allison, Alexis, Lil and Jasmine all deserve to stay. Jorge and Anoop should pack their bags. You heard it here, first.

Hear, Now, The News

Realistically speaking, there’s only one real story out there, nowadays – we’re in a “deep recession,” on the brink of a “great depression,” goin’ broke, hittin’ the skids. Our economy’s in the toilet, spiraling downward like this morning’s excrement. But all that’s a little depressing, so, to divert our attention, the media’s been focusing on other stories like the chimp attack, the whacked-out Casey Anthony, the equally whacked-out Octo-mom, the missing 5-year- old, Haleigh Cummings, and, most recently, Chris Brown and Rihanna. Oh, this just in: I just learned this morning that Chris and Rihanna are getting ready to record… together! That’s big! Bigger even than the engagement of Robert Cummings, father of the missing Haleigh, to his 17-year-old girlfriend, Misty Croslin, which was yesterday’s hot topic. Meanwhile, my 700 shares of GE are worth less than the 2003 Hyundai I’ve been driving around. I won’t be trading up anytime soon.

The Oscars - A Tale of Two Cities.

I just couldn’t help wondering about a city who lauds Heath Ledger, Mickey Rourke and Robert Downey Junior, known substance abusers, while the rest of the country vilifies athletes who took ‘roids. If Barry Bonds can't make it to Cooperstown, he should move to Hollywood. At least there he would be a hero.

There weren’t many surprises – Kate Winslet, Sean Penn, Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle, Penelope Cruz and Heath Ledger all had been considered favorites. I was surprised by the show, itself, and the new set. Pretty decent. While not Billy Crystal, Hugh Jackman was at least okay as host. And, I have to admit, I really enjoyed Queen Latifa’s rendition of Sentimental Journey during the memoriam montage. I was tempted to go out and buy her latest cd, but, by morning, I had come down off that Oscar high. I could feel the tension, heartache and disappointment when Jennifer Aniston stood there presenting with Brad and Angelina just a few steps away. That was sad. But I was more than shocked back into the moment by Sophia Loren who was suffering from too much botox, too much collagen, or too much make-up. She was downright scary.

Nothing sticks out among the acceptance speeches, though I do believe Sean Penn appeared slightly too pleased with himself when he was introduced as a fine human being. And, did I miss something? Did he even mention his wife?

Unfortunately, I did doze off for a good hour, but, all indications are, I saw all that mattered.

A Poor Choice of Words

Maybe, it’s just me, but it seemed a tad insensitive, tonight, when the girl reporting for CBS evening news on Sully Sullenberger, his piloting experience, and the effect the whole flight 1549 drama had on the airline industry commented that good ol’ Sully had given the entire industry a “shot in the arm.”

I mean, what are we talking about? A shot of adrenalin? More likely, it’s a shot of HGH or steroids. And this little more than a day after Alex Rodriguez admitted that he had been on the juice from 2001-2003. Perhaps when something is ailing, like a business or the economy, we should conjure up more wholesome images when alluding to a fix. Oh, I guess “fix” isn’t the best term either.

Lie To Me - Life On Mars

I’ll get right to the point. If Bush and Cheney were still at the helm, they’d be forcing the prisoners at Gitmo to watch Lie To Me. In other words, pure torture. Feeling adventurous and always on the look out for something new and exciting, I watched one episode. I will not watch a second one. This show sucks. I was predisposed to like Kelli Williams who I haven’t seen much since her days in The Practice. But nothing can save this turkey. Gobble gobble.

Life on Mars has me teetering. I want very much to like it, but the corny attempts at humor are driving me away. Michael Imperioli, Harvey Keitel, Jason O’Mara and Gretchen Mol make up a promising cast, but the writers, thus far, are not delivering. I haven’t given up on this series, yet, but, if the show continues to leave me with the feeling that I just wasted an hour, I’ll be switching my attention elsewhere.

Rod Blagojevich – The Most Dangerous Man In America

This guy is so dangerous I’m surprised he hasn’t been assassinated. Dangerous, not because of alleged crimes he has been accused of. Dangerous because he could very well reveal that what he did is what all politicians do, use their offices to promote personal gain. I mean, I’ve long been convinced that all politicians -- Republican, Democrat, Independent -- are crooked. But there are millions of people out there who believe all the hoo hah about land of the free, blah blah blah. They’re probably still praising god over the election of Obama. Spare me, please.

Certainly, the Illinois Senate voted unanimously, 59-0, to remove him from office. Of course, that vote left me thinking about the hypocrisy displayed by some of the most corrupt lawmakers in this great land of ours. Those 59 voted, not out of disgust, but out of fear and panic.

But, this could go far beyond the locals and, already, the Blagger is threatening to bring down some of those Washington tight asses. Obama’s cabinet is already losing the integrity battle. I believe more revelations are in store, especially, as regards the senate seat auction.