Friday, May 25, 2007

Rosie has left the building

Just as I predicted earlier, Rosie O'Donnell will NOT be returning to The View next week. ABC has announced that she's opting to leave now, rather than wait until her contract expires on June 21st.

Can't say that I blame her.

She was the only reason I started watching the show again, and now that she's officially gone, I won't be tuning in again.

Fasten your seat belts, and let the ratings plummet for The View begin.

Books I'm Reading at the Moment






Rosie's battles

I nearly jumped out of my chair watching the latest argument between Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasslebeck on The View this past Wednesday. No, their sparring was nothing new, but what was different this time was the unmitigated glee the producers and director of The View seemed to take in prolonging the drama. They used a split screen to show the two squaring off, like a female incarnation of Hannity and Colmes. It was an exploitative move meant to milk every last drop of ratings from Rosie O before she heads off to better things.

By allowing the heated exchange to ramble on for more than 10 minutes, The View's executives proved just how desperate they are to revive their soon-to-be-irrelevant-again show. A commercial break would have saved both women from the nasty, tabloidization of their "feud", but then, that would mean less publicity for the show, wouldn't it?

I would not be surprised if Rosie decided to hang it up and not come back on Monday. The show needs her a lot more than she needs them, and it's time for her to move on. Her core audience will follow her anywhere, and her next television venture is sure to be a ratings goldmine.

Although Barbara Walters was not on the show when the incident occurred, she IS the one calling the shots over there, and I have no doubt that she condoned the split screen/fan the flames strategy employed by the other producers. She likes to appear as if she's taking the high road in these situations, but what she's really doing is allowing others to do her dirty work. BW knew what she was getting when she hired Rosie, has admitted that it has "been a different show this year" with her on it, and that if they win the Daytime Emmy for best cast, it will be due to Rosie's presence.

Congratulations Jordin Sparks

Well, the results are in, and the 17-year-old daughter of a former NFL player took home the big prize. In the end, it wasn't too surprising. Blake's edgier style was not well-suited for the sappy, cookie-cutter American Idol songbook. Jordin is a talented young girl, with the potential for a long career ahead of her.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

American Idol Finals: Blake vs. Jordin!

Wow...it's going to be the most competitive final since Clay vs. Rueben. Melinda Dolittle is out, so it'll be Blake Lewis vs. Jordin Sparks. Both of them have the potential to have great recording careers, but I think I'm pulling for Blake to go all the way and take home the big prize.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Sea Bands save the day!

I chaperoned a school trip today, and a couple of the kids struggled with motion sickness on the long bus ride. Fortunately, I brought along my trusty "Sea Band" wrist bands. I first heard about them last year when my family took a two-week cruise of the Mediterranean.

The bands use acupressure to reduce nausea without drugs. My kids wore them on the airplane and on the ship, and NO ONE got sick the entire trip.

Today, I put the bands on the kids that were feeling queasy, and within 15 minutes, their tummies felt all better.

This is NOT a paid advertisement, just a helpful testimonial.

http://www.sea-band.com/seaband.htm

Friday, May 4, 2007

Happy Birthday Angel!


Today my baby is 7 years old. Happy Birthday Cathy!