It's Obama!

It finally hit me this morning that a multiracial man with a family that looks like mine could be the next president of the United States. Like most people, I'm generally cynical about politics, and the recent infighting in the Democratic Party has been nauseating. But I couldn't help but savor a moment that I wasn't sure I'd witness this early in my lifetime. As my husband put it, "I thought it would happen in our lifetime, but I thought I'd be old as hell before it did." Even if Obama doesn't win, he could easily run again in four more years. I don't see McCain having two terms, especially if there isn't drastic change in our Iraq war policy.

Meanwhile, could Hillary please step aside gracefully? I think it's a mistake for her black supporters to pressure Obama to put her on the ticket. I'm not saying folks like Charlie Rangel should have automatically supported Obama, but they looked pretty stupid this morning on CNN, talking about "coming together and moving forward." Please. Some of these same people all but said America wasn't ready for a man of color in the White House, that Obama should wait his turn, etc. Frankly, his refusal to play by the rules of the old guard has made his candidacy even more appealing.

I know the battle for the White House is going to be long, hard and ugly. But for now, I'm savoring a genuinely sweet and meaningful moment.

P.S.: Obama warning the GOP to lay off his wife? Hot!

Get well Kel

That’s so Kelsey.

Having a mild heart attack while paddle boarding.

If ever there was a guy who lives life to the fullest it’s Kelsey Grammer. I couldn’t keep up with him. Few could. Iron Man maybe. But the energy he exudes – all positive – lifts everyone around him. And the example he sets on sets – always striving to be the best – inspires us to do the same.

It’s no coincidence that some of the best episodes I’ve ever written or directed involved Kelsey. I’ve even recently posted a few examples. Room Service from FRASIER and Rat Girl from CHEERS.

Most of us have our little ups and downs. Not Kelsey. His life swings from soaring highs and crushing lows. But no matter how low, whatever the crisis, he rises above it. And I’m sure that’s what he’ll do now.

If you’d like to leave a get well note in the comments section I’ll forward them to him.

Kelsey will be back. And we’ll all be saying – Jesus! The guy’s had a heart attack and we still can’t keep up with him.

The (sorry) state of the movie industry

I've mentioned Earl Pomerantz before. He is a terrific writer. Wrote some of your favorite CHEERS, TAXI, MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, COBSY SHOW episodes. He now has a blog you should check out.

Today he features a lengthy but great article about the current state of the movie industry and why he'll prefer to stay in television, thank you.

You can find it here.

A new post follows soon -- my thoughts on Kelsey Grammer's recent minor heart attack.

America's newest and greatest reality show

Kids love Head Cheese
It’s the bee’s knees
Oscar Meyer Head Cheese
Serve it fresh or freeze
Oscar Meyer Head Cheese

I could be the next reality show STAR!!! That little ditty could be my ticket to fame and fortune. Fuck AMERICAN IDOL and SURVIVOR. I’m going for the big prize! I’m applying to be on JINGLES.

CBS has ordered eight episodes of JINGLES – a Mark Burnett brainchild where aspiring singer/composers write and perform commercial jingles.

We’re American Airlines
Charging what we can get away with

Okay, maybe that one still needs work.

But the idea of this show is genius. Name me one true musician/artist who didn’t aspire to write the next Tidy Bowl jingle. Name me one singer who didn’t dream of having “Clap on/Clap off” as their signature song.

Talk to anyone in the business and they’ll tell you that next to songs about love, car rental is the next most popular subject.

And I bet you yourself have said on numerous occasions, “Songs today are way too long. Jesus, some of ‘em are even three minutes. I just want music. I don’t want a whole concert. Give me a good fifteen second song and let me go on about my life.” And the other good news with jingles is that instead of getting 200 songs on your iPod you can now get 1400.

You’ve met the man of your dreams
He’s all that he seems
He’s taking you out tonight
Everything has to be right
So before you leave
Use your Summer’s Eve

I don’t know who the judges will be but I just picture Barry Manilow, Ronald McDonald, and Heidi Fleiss.

I’m also guessing that each week the competition gets tougher until the final showdown where the last two standing have to find a rhyme for Preparation H.

Again, I think this concept is brilliant. After all, Americans can’t get enough of advertising as it is. I understand the main reason people get Tivo is so they can fast forward through the programs just to get to the commercials. And now that won’t be necessary. The commercials ARE the show. To paraphrase a jingle that would have won years ago: Television – You’ve Come a Long Way Baby”.

We’re American Airlines
Now charging for your life vest

Where do I apply?

One Film Sparkles; Another Stalls

I purposely avoided reviews of any kind until seeing it for myself, and I'm happy to report that the "Sex and the City" movie was a blast. Pretty clothes, sharp laughs ... and plenty of Big. More on that later.

On the other hand, "Prince Caspian" felt about four hours long. It certainly wasn't terrible, and my 8-year-old son dug every minute. But is it just me, or are the kids the least interesting part of this franchise? I wanted more -- much more -- of the talking badgers and ass-kicking mice. Every time the sibling trio stared soulfully into the distance or started monologuing about Aslan, I became very sleepy. Worse, the most appealing of the three -- the kid who played Edmund -- had the least screen time.

Prince Caspian is a little hottie, but I feel kinda dirty by saying so.

SEX AND THE CITY

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Harvey Korman

I loved Harvey Korman. Long before the Not Ready for Primetime Players were dressing as bees, doing pratfalls, and selling Bass-o-matics, Harvey Korman was performing brilliant sketches every week on the CAROL BURNETT SHOW. Impeccable comic timing, great accents, the ability to play both comic and straightman -- Korman had no peer. And paired with Tim Conway, they were the funniest comedy team on television in the 70s.

I went hunting around on YouTube to find a great sample of Harvey Korman's work. I found any number of sketches along with some of his scenes from BLAZING SADDLES (he played Hedley Lamar). The clip I've chosen however, features Conway more than Korman (although just watching Harvey try not to lose it is priceless) but is such a brilliant piece of comedy I couldn't pass it up.

What a joy to watch two comic masters. Harvey Korman will be forever missed.