A Little Of The Old In And Out



(image via foxnews)

In: Tina Fey. Beloved. Hugely relevant. Executive Producer of the funniest show on television. Conqueror of the masculine dominated, Harvard-festooned SNL Writer's Room (Fey went to the University of Virginia). Dispeller of Christopher Hitchens' shoddy theory that "Women Aren't Funny (Averted Gaze)." The reigning Queen of Comedy cleaned up last night even beating out crowd favorite and Samantha Who? star Christina Applegate for Best Actress. But it was Tina Fey's humble speech that made us feel all warm inside when she thanked her parents for "bestowing me with confidence disproportionate to my looks or ability, which is what all parents should do". Aw.

Though Fey seems to have so many ingredients simmering perfectly in her busy life -- magnificent career, beautiful baby, Amex endorsement deal, cool husband, power-friendship with "Lorne" -- she is still human enough to have lost her purse on the biggest night of her life. God, we love her.



(image via lucytheblog)

Out: John McLaughlin. How does the former Roman Catholic priest sleep at night? On the elastic flesh of Third World babies, perhaps? The increasingly sinister talk show host ("the best sources, the sharpest minds!) is kicking to the curb any signs of political objectivity as the 2008 election progresses. Okay, true: McLaughlin is a lifelong Republican and Nixon-defender. Fine. There's nothing wrong with that. But it is John McLaughlin's responsibility as the shows host to at least pretend that there is an actual and fair dialogue going on between the two strongest polarities in American politics. As long as the sides are fair and the conversation is unhampered alls good.

Not for the past two weeks! McLaughlin has loaded the panel with pseudo-liberal and NY Daily News publisher Mort Zuckerman, who appears to be in volcanic lust with Governor Sarah Palin, thus making him essentially of the Right on the subject of the election. Pulitzer-Prize winning Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page usually occupies that chair and provides some provisional balance-of-power, pitting him and Newsweek's Eleanor Clift against the unholy trio of id-based "Organization Man" Pat Buchanan, I-Call-Foul-y Monica Crowley and McCain's man in Washington McLaughlin. The results are usually skewered but the outcome is essentially a fair hearing of both sides.

Zuckerman, who was supposed to be a liberal on the panel for the past two weeks, launched an attack on the last show against Obama essentially blaming him -- ! -- for the financial crisis. Charmed, I'm sure at Zuckeman unwound. Eleanor, who, under any other circumstance can hold her own against any two opponents was outnumbered goddam 3-to-1 in defending Barack Obama from that scurrilous charge. Pat Buchanan, we cannot fail to note, was in rare form attacking Eleanor from the comfort of the majority.

A big, hearty "Fuck-you-very-much," John McLaughlin for his role as host and show producer. Really and truly, we mean it asshole.