Category: Writing

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Succession

Logan Roy pits his kids against each other in a fratricidal competition, akin to Soapatriarch Victor Newman. In that other reality show, Trump sets up his spawn to vie for the family business with a nod to have the next G-7 at their Doral Resort in that swing state of Florida.

Over in Democrat land. Elizabeth Warren is drawing huge crowds. It could be a bloody fight with Sleepy Joe for the nomination. Uglier than a Kendall-Roman wrestling match where each ends up Shivved.

A rough & tumble Fall. For some of us. That’ll be fun.

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Phoebe Phenom

Phoebe Waller-Bridge. A 34-year old Brit who has conjured the most unique television series phenomenons. Her Killing Eve a sociopathic edgy thriller. And. Just finished FleaBag. Her genius writing only eclipsed by her acting in the lead role as … Claire’s sister?

Quirky doesn’t begin to capture her characters. Sui generis. Villanelle. Fleabag. Not easy to watch. Yet. Can’t stop. All. Like nothing else.

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Journalism’s Last Gurgle

Debates start this week. A new story for the media to cover. Or is it? Will they focus on the future of the Democrats. Who has the best ideas. Who has charisma. Or. Will it just be another chance to trash Trump.

The best commentary I’ve read on Journalism’s demise is by Gary Abernathy in the Washington Post –

“…I wanted Trump to break Washington… but as a longtime (Ohio) newspaper editor, I didn’t want him to break journalism… while the former has proved stubbornly resilient, the latter has crumbled like old newsprint…

… this new style of journalism … reporters injecting themselves into their stories rather than quoting other sources… gives the widespread perception that the media is out to get the president…

new rules of reporting … militarize fabled pens far beyond allegorical swords… returning to the glory days of unbiased, dispassionate reporting depends on a recognition that the old rules still work best…  journalism is gasping for air…”

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Retro Fit

Archie & Edith are at it again in the remake of All in the Family. Or. Is it Donald & Nancy? 2019’s latest Bickersons. As was evident from watching the retro show. Everything old is new again. And. Nothing much has really changed in the past forty-plus years.

Racism. Sexism. Political schisms.

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Know When To Fold ‘Em

Met Gala is an anachronism. But. It you want to grade ’em for CAMP.  Lady Gaga. Cardi B. Jared Leto. Katy Perry. Best in Show.

Tiger was emotional as he received his Medal of Freedom in the Rose Garden. If we cannot celebrate that, the country is screwed.

And. Please. Just go Hillary & Joe. Know when to exit the stage.

NYTimes Pick

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Donkeys & Dragons

As the Night King, his Wights and newly turned dragon close in on Winterfell, there are cobbled-together troops and two dragons waiting to fend them off. Who will rule on the Iron Throne if they do? Cersei. Jon the true Targaryen. Dany his lovie aunt. Sansa Stark of the North. A Boratheon. All the other kings and queens waiting in the wings. Or. Will they all die and the Night King reign supreme.

Kinda like the 19 soon to be 20 donkeys lining up to take over the White House and de-throne the Orange King. See above. Seriously. Impeachment, righteous indignation and a wobbly cast of would-be presidents are not strategies to replace The Donald. One good candidate who can get more votes is the only happy ending.

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Quasi Inferno

Victor Hugo gasps as the flaming spire falls through the roof. Quasimodo emerges from the embers. He is stunned. Can it be true? The bell towers are intact. He climbs to ring a carillon call of relief.

Notre Dame. Our Lady of Paris survives. She lives to see her baby on the altar on Good Friday. Okay. He’s nailed to a cross. But. Hey. He’ll rise on Easter Sunday. As will The Cathedral. Yay.

 

  • Photo. Cathedral of St. John the Divine. NYC.
    Christmas Eve 2018. Ben Levine.
    Bizarre coincidence. St. John had a fire this week. On Palm Sunday.
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Trump Abruptly Resigns!

TTSD is over! No more Trump! Sorry. April Fool’s.

What is true is that Mayor Pete raised over $7m in the first quarter. You’re welcome. And. Michigan State really did beat Duke. I Am Not Charlotte Simmons. And. Texas Tech also made it to the Final Four. And. It’s a bright sunny Spring day. So Yay.

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Winter’s Tail

Last gasps of a long gray if fairly mild winter. In between Saints Days. Patrick and Joseph. Ready for Spring.

Rory went on to win The Players. He’s a good rep of the sport. Even if everyone wished him happy green when he’s orange.

Opined away on Frank Bruni’s column about the college cheating scandal. And. Maureen’s Dowd’s query, Is The Force With Beto?

Why. Every time I flip onto the end of Rachel Ray, she seems to be making mushy slop not even appetizing to a dog.

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The Last Journalists

Jill Abramson, former Executive Editor of the New York Times, has squandered her opportunity to tell the truth about the lack of objectivity in the current news business. The fact that she is charged with plagarism takes her valid insights off the track.

However, Lara Logan who still has a lot to lose, had the courage to speak out about modern reporting. Bias. Agendas. Scripted narratives. Editing stories to fit the prejudice and slant. It matters not to her whether it’s to the right or the left. It is rare to find anyone in so-called journalism circles brave enough to risk their careers.