I'm SO Proud Of My Brother!

I have always been very proud of my brother Doug and impressed with all his accomplishments. He is an incredibly smart, talented, funny, and articulate scholar, gentleman, and all-around great guy. Today, however, he made me even prouder!

I am very happy to report that effective immediately, Doug is taking a leave of absence from his faculty position with the University of Maryland to assume the position of Staff Director of the Congressional Executive Commission on China for the duration of the 110th Congress (ends January 2009). Combining all his considerable experience, my brother will be sitting on Capitol Hill helping to guide the country's efforts in the monitoring of human rights and development of the rule of law in China. There are nine Senators, nine members of the House of Representatives and five senior Administration officials who sit as commissioners.

I can't stop smiling . . . Just wait 'til Mom hears about it!

RIP Studio 60

It has been a long time since I was upset about a television show being canceled. Certainly part of the reason is due to the load of crap that is on network airwaves, so there's not that much to miss in the first place.

This past season saw two shows debut that are based not so loosely on my beloved Saturday Night Live. 30 Rock started out uneven but continued to grow on me. It is some of the best stuff that Alec Baldwin has ever done and although Tracy Morgan and Judah Friedlander continue to amuse and entertain, and Jack McBrayer's Kenneth may be the most memorable character in a long time, it is Baldwin that keeps me coming back - especially when in a catfight with Isabella Rossellini (one of the 3 most beautiful women in the world in my book, the other two being Catherine Deneuve and Ashley Judd).

But that's a sitcom. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is one of the best dramedies on the tube. It mixes sharp, crisp, and intelligent dialogue with a backstage view much more real than 30 Rock. Although the story lines are somewhat above average and sometimes jump the shark (e.g. the two-part Pahrump episode), the acting, the script, and the characters kept me coming back. Especially for anyone who has seen D.L. Hughley on stage doing his act, Studio 60 provides a view into just how smart and articulate this actor/comedian is and also highlights Timothy Busfield's talents which have gone largely wasted since thirtysomething and Revenge of the Nerds.

There were a number of on-line petitions that obviously failed to make a difference to the network execs who will end its run at the end of this season. I'm in no position to argue given that I have nothing to do with the business, but I question the intelligence of those that cancel shows like Studio 60, not to mention Arrested Development. I know that eyeballs are what keep shows on the air - someone's got to pay the bills - but it's just a darn shame when quality programming suffers as a result.

Rest In Peace Studio 60 and may the DVD set of the one and only season be out soon.

Who Says Flying Isn't Fun Anymore

Was at Newark airport on Sunday on my way to the gate for my flight when over the P.A. the following was heard:

Attention, Continental Airlines is paging Darth Vader. Darth Vader, please meet your party at Gate 95. Darth Vader, please meet your party, Luke Skywalker, at Gate 95. Your flight for Star Wars is now boarding.

Perplexed faces were everywhere. More curious than amused as some public spaces such as airports use code names when alerting security personnel to an incident. This is what I thought might be happening as I assumed that airports had become devoid of humor. Perplexed turned to giggles as the next announcement followed only a few seconds later:

Attention, Continental Airlines is paging Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse, please meet your party at Gate 95. Mickey Mouse, please meet your party, Minnie Mouse, at Gate 95 for immediate boarding and departure to Orlando.

Quickies

There have been so many things I wanted to post recently, and I just never get a chance. Here are a few quickies.

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My wife was reading something to Molly, our 7-year old, that included the word "rheumatism." Betsy asked Molly if she knew what that word meant. Molly very proudly said, "Sure. It means having to do with being in your room."

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Saw the following license plate on a FedEx delivery truck: PLZNOTKT

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Boris Yeltsin died today. He always was so sickly, I just assumed he was already dead.

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I now know two people who have seen, on separate occasions, a man in Penn Station wearing a pink tutu.

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A couple of weeks ago there were news reports that Keith Richards had reportedly snorted a mix of cocaine and the ashes of his dead father's cremated remains. It was later denied by his publicist, but not before Richards mentioned that he was on the "Most Likely To Die" list for 10 years and was annoyed that he was taken off. Why does none of this surprise me?

More when I think of it.

Plain Jane Ain't So Plain

My friend, neighbor, and colleague Jane Seskin recently didn't retire. That is to say, Jane is someone who will never retire, but rather continue to start new chapters in her life.

In this new chapter, Jane has created a unique selection of cards. Please visit her website (also in my list of Fun Links on the right) and peruse the witty, profound, and charming selection. Even better, tell all your friends and relatives!

N'awlins

I'm here in New Orleans attending a conference. With 25,000 attendees, we're the largest group to come to NOLA post-Katrina, taking up just about every hotel room in town and filling all the restaurants. The city has been incredibly hospitable and thrilled to have us and our expense accounts.

I haven't seen any of the stricken areas (staying right between the French Quarter and the convention center), but the tales from everyone I speak to are universal. Whether they were directly affected or not, there is duality of sadness and resignation combined with a spirit of survival. While very different, it reminds me of New York post 9/11 when we were still reeling a bit but so very thankful for the visitors that came and spent their money after tourism had dropped off to zilch.

The town is still wonderfully charming with some of the best food and music in the universe. Come visit and spend your money here. It's for a good cause.

Oddcast

Check out the new entry under Fun Links for the Oddcast Text to Speech Demo. I've seen stuff like this before and they're used quite frequently with canned responses for customer service applications and the like. The demo, however, is particularly fun because not only can you type in whatever you want the app to say, but you can also choose one of several languages and one of several voices/accents. And her eyes follow your mouse around the screen too.

Typing in naughty bits are the most fun . . .