I Made The First Cut!

After one episode of "Cougar Town," I have decided this show is just not worth my time.

I'm not saying you shouldn't watch it, I'm just saying I won't. Ever. Again.

You see, I liked Courtney Cox's Monica on "Friends." She was great at playing the neurotic control freak. I especially adored her as "Fat Monica." That's why I was willing to check this one out. Plus, it's on ABC and I work for one of its affiliates, so I tend to check out more of the Mickey Mouse network's shows than I probably should.

I did not laugh at this show once. The script was filled with cliche after cliche. Every bit of it was predictable. It was uncomfortable. It was awkward. I just didn't see anything promising here. I don't know how many weeks this show will last, but I bet it's a matter of time before they're talking about bikini waxes, hormone therapy and va-jay-jay lifts.

I warned the new shows I would keep them on a tight leash. I meant it. I will never return to "Cougar Town." Not even when I'm old enough to call myself a cougar - which I won't.

Strange

Notice how the President's face doesn't change.

Barack Obama's amazingly consistent smile from Eric Spiegelman on Vimeo.

Week in Pop Culture

The Hoff may/may not have drank himself silly again.

Either those Kardashians like the idea of marriage, or they enjoy getting annulments/divorces. Wait. I should be more optimistic. I'm sure this marriage will last...beyond 24 hours?

Drew Barrymore might walk away from Hollywood. I don't think she needs to do that, just make more films like Grey Gardens and fewer romantic comedies.

How not to take things one day at a time: living like Mackenzie Phillips. If the things she says in her book really happened, it's truly sad.

I'd like to be Britney Spears. Well not actually her, just someone who can charge $62,000 on things like clothing and groceries and be able to pay it off.

Live action Barbie movie! Let me know when it's released so I can stay away from the theater!

Instead of putting on pounds the fun way, apparently Renee Zellweger is choosing a fat suit for the next Bridget Jones movie.

Rick Springfield is writing his memoirs and it's about much more than "Jessie's Girl."

If Randy Quaid and his wife ever ask you to book a hotel for them, you should know there's a good chance they're NEVER going to pay you back.

Eva Longoria Parker is going back to school - in real life, not on TV or in the movies.

Jessica Biel and a few other do-gooders are planning to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. What a coincidence! I was going to climb into my bed and not watch a Jessica Biel movie!

Gisele Bundchen is soooo fat!

I'm beginning to think Bradley Cooper & Renee Zellweger are only "dating" to get their movie released.

Bruce Springsteen turned 60 this week and the boys from U2 paid tribute to The Boss.

Cute Video Du Jour

Something Terrible Is Happening

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

TV Show Spoilers

In case you missed the season finales in the Spring, these guys ruin 'em all. Watch at your own risk.

Top Gun Bunnies

What I'm Watching This Fall

OK. The last time I wrote one of these, I had lots of comments. Here's the deal. I love my DVR. It makes it very easy for me to watch more shows - and rule some out quickly. Also, I get home late at night and there's not much for me to do before bed. What am I supposed to do while I'm doing loads of laundry? So now I ask you to withhold your judgment. Just tell me what you are or aren't watching. Here goes.

Monday:
How I Met Your Mother Here's the deal. I no longer care how Ted meets his kids' mother. I only care about Barney. OK. I care about the other characters, too. But this show is NOTHING without Neil Patrick Harris. Watch it. I dare you not to laugh at his antics!
Dancing With The Stars Yes, it's silly. But I absolutely love the awkward moments with people old enough to be my parents doing the samba with someone who's younger than me. I also like to find fault with the dancing-challenged. Look. I haven't had a dance lesson since I was four. I think that qualifies me to be a dance critic.

Tuesday:
Dancing With The Stars It's elimination night. Of course I'm going to watch!
So You Think You Can Dance I'm on the fence with this one. I have liked it as a summer show. But the couple of audition rounds have not exactly wowed me. If it doesn't pick up, or if I don't spot a couple of dancers who make me want to stick around, I'll cut it loose. You hear that, Fox? Woo me!

Wednesday:
The Middle This is a new show. Like all new shows, I'm keeping it on a tight leash. The promos look funny, so I'll give it some time. If it doesn't make me giggle, it might be the first show I cut loose.
Modern Family I think this one has the most potential. It has an interesting cast. And I have read a few good things about this one. It had better deliver, or else it's deleted from my lineup.
Cougar Town Before you make a comment about me trying to pick up some Cougar tips, I'll have you know I'm too young to be a Cougar (besides, I'd rather have a Sugar Daddy). That said, I love a train wreck and simply can't look away.
So You Think You Can Dance It's elimination night!
Glee This is the gayest show I've ever seen. And there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with that. It's silly. It's fun. And, I'm not gonna lie, I enjoy singing along with the silly songs. I am certain gay teens across America are rejoicing that there's a non-reality show targeting them...and thirtysomethings don't mind it, either.

Thursday:
Flash Forward Maybe it's because I miss Lost, but I'm willing to check this one out. If it drags, I'll say buh-bye.
Grey's Anatomy Before you roll your eyes, let me just say I was *this* close to cutting this show until I learned Katherine Heigl will be missing from a handful of episodes. If I find myself wondering where the show's going, I'll cut it. This was a big problem for me, as Fox moved Fringe to Thursdays at the same time. I've decided to wait for Fringe to be released on DVD so I can watch the whole season at once (like I do with Dexter). I hope ABC doesn't make me regret this!
SNL Weekend Update Here's the deal, this is not on every week, so I don't feel like adding it is that big of a deal.
Parks and Recreation This show started slow in the Spring, but it has started off well. From Amy Poehler's "Leslie Knope" rapping a Will Smith song to her singing "Poker Face" made me laugh out loud. It might be the first time I've laughed more than once at the show. It's finding its way.
The Office I have to admit, I was a little disappointed with the show last season. I think the only episode that was truly funny was the Superbowl episode. But the first episode this season made me laugh quite a bit. It appears to be back (?).
Community I'm not gonna lie, the main reason I am checking this out is the cast. I'm hoping it doesn't disappoint me like some movies I've chosen (I maintain a cast full of funny people does not necessarily make for a fun time).
30 Rock Love this show! I miss it! I have to wait until next month for it to return, but I know it'll make me laugh. No pressure, Tina Fey!

Friday:
Ugly Betty I don't know why ABC is trying to kill this show. I'm interested in the changes they're making - Betty's losing her braces, getting a new hairstyle, dressing better. I'm thinking they're preparing to end it. After all, the Spanish version had Betty getting a makeover and falling in love. If only American shows would decide when they're going to end their run, I wouldn't feel like I'm sticking with the show so I can get closure. FTR: I stuck with ER until the very end. See what I mean about closure?

Sunday:
Desperate Housewives I'm not sure why I'm still watching this. Mark Cherry, you're on notice. If I'm not feeling it after the first few episodes, I'm done.
Mad Men I know I have been singing this show's praises for a while, but it is one of my very favorite shows! It's like watching a little movie each week. It is smart, sexy and such fun! If you're not watching this show, you are missing out on the best television has to offer!
Curb Your Enthusiasm If you weren't checking this out before, consider this: a pseudo-Seinfeld reunion is happening this season.
Bored To Death This one has potential (despite some of the bad reviews I've seen). I'll give it a few episodes.
Entourage Still watching for Ari and Lloyd, not Vince and the boys.

So there you have it. Again, keep your judgment about how many hours of television I'll be watching to yourself. Tell me what you're watching and what (if anything) I'm missing.

Too Cute Not To Share

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

Week in Pop Culture

When I saw people tweeting about Kanye & Taylor, I had no idea what happened (I don't watch the VMAs because (a) not a 15-year-old girl, (b) MTV doesn't play videos - except for 20 second clips between reality shows and (c) I was watching GOOD TV - True Blood and Mad Men). Once I was enlightened, I went online to see Kanye in full jerk mode.

MTV Shows

I'd say this pretty much sums up my feelings. Kanye apologized on his blog. It took two days, but Kanye finally called Taylor to apologize. End of story? I'm waiting for the announced trip to rehab any minute. But wait - maybe it was -eek- STAGED?!?!?

Harrison Ford can't walk away from the whip. Ew - perverts! I'm talking about Indiana Jones 5!

As much as I hate that whole "bucket list" phrase, Teri Hatcher is making me think I should have one.

So, you know how I keep pointing out that Megan Fox is (a) not an actress and (b) crazy? Looks like I'm right. Now, take back those mean things you've been saying about me. And if you're STILL refusing, read this.

OK. Maybe you don't have to take it back. Angelina Jolie has a way of making me feel like the world's biggest slacker.

Let's call this item "When Crazies Trade Insults." Whitney Houston spent two days talking on Oprah about her wacky past. She says Bobby Brown spit in her face (among other things). Bobby B says he was bored.

Michael Douglas will play Liberace on the big screen. Matt Damon will play the part of his lover. I know Michael has had the plastic surgery to pull this off, but I have to ask - are we being punked?

Poor Jessica Simpson can't catch a break! Her dog was snatched by a coyote. I don't have the heart to tell her coyotes (a) can't read and (b) her dog has probably been eaten by now.

Kate Gosselin apparently wants her own talk show. Take a number.

In case you've forgotten, Tori Spelling has aliens living inside her chest. Wait. Maybe those are implants?


Burt Reynolds goes to rehab. For pills. I'm thinking my doctor didn't give me good enough drugs when I had my surgery. Should I be worried that he's back on the streets already?

Bobby Brown is headed to fat camp ... for money ... on Celebrity Fit Club.

I have previously stated my dislike of Katherine Heigl. However, these pictures of her new daughter are too cute!

This is most likely the ONLY time I will ever say this: I wish Michael Jackson had been my dad.

It looks like anyone wanting to see New Moon will have to wait a few weeks to get into the theater.

I haven't forgotten Patrick Swayze died. Yeah, yeah. He was great in the movies. But this is my favorite performance of his.

Patrick Swayze - Chippendale
Uploaded by tressage. -

Is He Right?

I don't know why hearing President Carter say this is shocking to me.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Is it courageous to drop the race card? Is it stupid? Or is he right?

The extreme anger that has been demonstrated over the last year or so has made me wonder if, in some way, racism is the unspoken reason behind the extreme hate. I thought we were so far beyond that, but could it be, that even in this time, it's really why people just can't calm down and have a rational discussion about what's happening in America?

Think about it. Here's what is at the heart of Carter's message:

“I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he is African-American."

Sure, it's the elephant in the room. Nobody likes to talk about racism. But maybe we should. I'm putting it out there to make people think. I'm not saying you have to agree with the President on every thing he says (because, believe it or not, friends, I don't). But I have never, ever been so angry with any President in my lifetime that I have wished death upon him. Ever. Working in the media, I have never attended a protest or rally for anything other than news gathering purposes. I have also never decided a candidate would or would not get my support based on my first glance at him or her - or upon reading his or her name.

It's already got Rush Limbaugh talking. I know he's a talk radio host who loves to get in the news. But statements like this are far from productive. He doesn't want a conversation. He wants to be the judge and jury.

Go ahead. Accuse me of being a liberal (I've been called worse, trust me). But I'd just like someone to explain to me how President Carter's theory is far from the truth. Until then, I'm going to accept that this man of peace might be on to something.

Who Do I Love More?

If you know me (or have glanced at previous blog entries), you know that I have a dog and a cat. The dog was my first addition - and the first time I owned a pet all by myself. That's a HUGE step! I mean, I consider pets a part of the family. They're meant to be inside the home, next to you on the sofa or in the bed. They get love when they want it or when you want to give it. I decided to take the cat partially because I thought the dog was lonely and because my friends Bill and Shannon had rescued the little guy and he needed a home. I thought these two could be great friends as every cat and dog I had growing up had been. I was wrong.
That's my dear, sweet Charley. I absolutely love him. He is sweet. He is cuddly. He is funny. And he tolerates me making him wear a Halloween costume each year. Look, this is how pet owners keep the balance - me human/owner, you dog/obeyer. He loves tennis balls, squeaky toys and treats (especially Frosty Paws in the summer).
That's Chaplin. He's sweetest when he's tired or sleepy. Other than that, he's a terrorist. He jumps at me every time I walk past him. He swats at Charley when he passes him (though he doesn't use his claws). He is taller than Charley, so when my sweet wienerdog passes by, Chaplin will straddle him, holding on to Charley's neck until the dog either sits down or rolls on top of him. He has made Charley sleep in the living room on the sofa at night, because it's the only place he can get into a corner to protect himself from a nighttime attack. Not once has he shown Charley his sweet side. I keep telling myself this is a kitten phase. Chaplin will grow out of it and they'll be great friends. However, Chaplin is about a year and half now, so I'm wondering when he'll be that great cat I hoped he'd be.

I love both my pets. I admit, I favor Charley because I've known him longer and he's never been aggressive with me. I sometimes feel a little bad when I leave for work and tell them both to be good boys and say, "Charley, I love you. Chaplin, meh." I like to think those words don't make sense to them. I mean, they just sit/stand there in the hall, staring at me with their heads to the side.

So why am I sharing this with you? Well, because I thought you should know I love my dog more. The reason is simple: dogs are awesome. They have no concept of time, so they get excited to see you if you've been gone for two minutes or two days. Cats don't care how long you've been gone, just that they have food in their bowl - you know, should you happen to die while you're out.

Jerks.

Week in Pop Culture

Demi Moore is getting fashion advice for her 15-year-old daughter from Perez Hilton. Well, not really fashion advice, more like mothering advice. Because letting a gay man advise you on your teenage daughter's attire is TOTALLY appropriate.

I don't know if she's just trying to get people to watch the new "Melrose Place" or what, but Ashlee Simpson has officially shared too much information about her non-"acting" talents.

They can dance with "The Stars," but it appears Maksim and Karina won't dance together - unless ABC forces them to do it.

Most underwhelming moment of the week: Tyra Banks and her weave-free reveal. She followed that one by dedicating a whole show to period talk (and I don't mean punctuation). SOOO glad I don't record her show!

Janet Jackson will pay tribute to Michael at the VMAs. I'm guessing Tito and Jermaine were busy.

Lindsay Lohan has a new job...and I'm not sure I can respect Ungaro.

Nicole Richie and that husband of hers had a baby boy. They named him Sparrow. I'm 99% sure she's already a size zero again.

Kanye apparently fell asleep and got punked.

Katherine Heigl is adopting a baby.

Ellen is replacing Paula Abdul on "American Idol."

Jennifer Aniston isn't just an "actress." She can sing, too.

"Sex and The City" sequel spoiler alert: there might be a wedding!

Confession: I like Barry Manilow in small doses. I don't think I could handle an entire movie with his music...unless there's alcohol involved and I can make it a drinking game.

Say it ain't so! Phil Collins is not able to drum anymore! Guess that gives him more time to wander The Alamo.

Mischa Barton wasn't crazy after all! She was just suffering from wisdom tooth surgery. Yeah. That makes perfect sense.

I wavered on including the whole Tila Tequila mess, but now I'm gonna cave. Check out these pictures of her injuries. If you want to see just how crazy this whole thing is, check out Tila's twitter page.

I'm not sure Kurt Cobain would have wanted to play Bon Jovi tunes if he was still alive. Those who knew him say he wouldn't. It's weird, no?

Why So Angry?

I am at a loss. I don't know why people are so angry these days. Last night, I was shocked to see this behavior on the Senate floor.

The reaction of Pelosi, Biden and Obama initially made me giggle. But the more I watched that, the more I realized people have lost their minds.

First of all, if you're a member of Congress, you have respect for the President, the room and all those other elected officials sitting around you. When you have eight years experience and have served the country, you certainly don't behave like that. I don't care that Rep. Joe Wilson apologized later for his behavior. It's beyond rude. It doesn't just make Wilson or South Carolina look bad. It makes Republicans look bad. With mid-term elections nearly in full swing, behaving like a toddler won't help.

I'm not saying Democrats have acted much better. In fact, this little outburst at President Bush was certainly not one of their finer moments.

I understand people are frustrated. I have had moments with politicians from all parties that have made me wonder if they checked their brains after election day. But I just cannot wrap my brain around the anger in America. Have you seen those town hall meetings? They seem to have gone beyond demanding answers - they're getting physical. Then there's the PASTOR who's wishing for Obama to die. This is a man of God wishing death on another man?!? I have disliked people in my lifetime, but I have NEVER wished them to die.

None of that is productive. None of it will make America a better place. Ever had a job without health care? I have. It was one that paid next to nothing. Luckily, I was younger and didn't have much need for doctors. But I cannot imagine what would have happened to me if my gallbladder had been a problem then. I not only would not have been able to afford the tests and surgery, I would have waited until it burst, then showed up at an ER, unable to pay for the surgery that would heal me. I know how lucky I am. I think there are some people who have no idea what that fear of wondering how they're going to pay for any emergency is like. It's terrifying. No person should have to decide whether they should get treatment or not. No one.

Disagree with policies and legislation all you want. I just ask that you do it respectfully. This anger and hatred is out of control. I don't know what the REAL reason is for these feelings. I just know that it's not productive. You have a vote. Use it. And PLEASE, I beg you, don't hit forward on every email or believe every single thing you hear on TV about what is/is not in the proposed health care reform bills. Look it up. I'll even point you to a couple of reliable sites so you can breathe a little easier.

Politifact
Fact Check

Week in Pop Culture

What the huh? Macaulay Culkin could be the father of one of Michael Jackson's kids? I didn't think this story could get any creepier.

Paula Abdul wants to host a talk show. Yeah, me, too. Only mine will have a touch more crazy (I'll be drunkity drunk when I host - WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE)!

I don't care if Chris Brown remembers whether he hit Rihanna, just that he doesn't do it again - to anyone.

Apparently, Rihanna has decided posing topless is a good way to get over it all.

You know those pictures you've seen of Demi Moore where you want to punch your computer screen because she looks awesome? Well, turns out her body is not as amazing as you think. At least that's what she says.

LeAnn Rimes announced she's getting a divorce on her website. I'd like to take a moment to announce that I'm marrying George Clooney. Not that George Clooney. Mine's a librarian.

Katherine Heigl is going to be missing from a few episodes of "Grey's Anatomy." She's going to be shooting a movie I'm sure I'll never see - unless it shows up on cable.

That Megan Fox is trying real hard to put herself out of work.

Because her "Life on the D List" isn't getting her enough attention, Kathy Griffin is telling all about her health hi jinx.

Whitney Houston is making a comeback. I mean, I suppose that's what you'd call it, considering she kind of spoke the lyrics. And if you call that singing, I want my Grammy!

Since I can't remember the last time Lindsay Lohan did real work, I can only imagine she trots around in a bikini and considers it work (or at least a photo op).

I am beginning to think Madonna's daughter, Lourdes, is actually the pop star's clone.