Sen. Bob Torricelli stood by Speaker Jim Wright in 1989 as he decried the "mindless cannibalism" of "ethics wars" over his unique means of wallet-padding. In the 1990s, he staunchly supported Bill Clinton throughout his overboiling cauldron of scandals - financial, political, and sexual - and still professes his ardor for the man's greatness. But Bob Torricelli doesn't have one argument the other men used (implausibly): it can't even be suggested he was ruined by the media. It's true that the local reporting on WNBC in New York, culminating in a 38-minute interview with Torricelli's human ATM, David Chang, played... continue reading
Given that Tom Daschle occupies the lofty position as the most visible Democratic leader in Washington, you would think he would be one of the most well-informed. Throughout the war on terrorism, he's been regularly briefed by the administration and has breakfast regularly with the president. So why did he have to stoop to launching hysterical tirades based on sloppy reporting in the Washington Post? Post reporter Dana Milbank, never one to miss throwing an elbow at the president, put the word "Democrats" in front of Bush's quote that some are "not interested in the security of the American people."... continue reading
As another television season begins, it's time for parents to determine which new shows require gunslinger-quick reaches for the remote control. The new lineup begs another question: how did some of the truly retched, thoroughly unpopular, destined-for-the-trashbin disasters from last year - survive? Watchdogs of sleaze TV face an ethical quandary: Is it better to draw attention to trash television offerings when they're Nielsen-starved, or is it better to let them lay largely undiscovered? Exhibit A is "Off Centre," mysteriously renewed for a second season on the WB network and known only as that TV show made by the sex-crazed... continue reading
The prospects of war dominate the current focus of political news and Democrats are looking for a way out. They want to change the issue agenda back to domestic and economic issues, where they feel they have the natural advantage in offering compassionate subsidies for whatever ails you. By contrast, those domestic issues currently fill gutless Republicans with anxiety and dread. You can understand their matching senses of comfort and angst when you take a look at how the TV networks cover the economy. During the summer months, Democrats decided to make a major push against - which is to... continue reading
Surprise summer hits aren't supposed to come from the wonderful world of "art films," normally dominated by avatars of the unconventional, and therefore non-commercial. This summer the art film community delivered another kind of product and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. For weeks now, the average moviegoer has gone around the studio system, gone around the movie critics, and just plain gone to see "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," the sensation written by and starring Greek actress Nia Vardalos. There's no overt sex in this movie. No violence. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't recall a single... continue reading
Even as the trumpets sounded and bells rang in mourning a year after thousands of American innocents were lost in a savage terrorist attack, some people still couldn't place the blame where it belonged, on the criminals. They firmly believe America somehow deserved the al-Qaeda attack. We are the fount of great wealth and thus the legitimate target of international envy. Legendary CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live," with another performance that makes you cringe at the thought that he was once called "the most trusted man in America." Clearly, if this man had ever been... continue reading
Summer is never the hottest season for television. Audiences are diminished so the networks resort to reruns or bizarre (and cheap) experiments. For the Fox entertainment network, it's usually a season to live up to its own caricature with series like "Bachelorettes in Alaska." But Fox bottled this summer's hottest hit going in the opposite direction and drawing from an ancient idea: "American Idol," a simple talent contest for aspiring singers. By the time the show pared its top ten contestants down to the winner - soul-belting, growling Kelly Clarkson - an average of 23 million people, a huge number... continue reading