Daniel Kells

Here are some random thoughts/observations, from the past couple of days. 

At the end of Olbermann’s interview with Clinton he said that they offered to interview Obama or one of his surrogates as well, but the Obama campaign passed.  Huh?  I mean, talk about a missed opportunity to speak to the activists that Clinton dissed in her very own “Caught on Tape” moment.  And after Axelrod’s sterling performance on “Meet the Press” yesterday, it seems like it should have been a no-brainer.

+++++++++++++++++

Okay, don’t shoot me.  Seriously, don’t.  But I rewound the Obama speech the first time I saw it because it really did look like he gave the finger.  Now, I’m a rational human being, and I know Obama wouldn’t give the finger in a speech, but I did go back and look at it knowing full-well that Contessa Brewer and other vapid anchorwhores would at least question it.

+++++++++++++++++

And this applies to “Fingergate,” as well as any other damn thing.  Once a question is asked, the media seems to give equal weight to any stupid answer, regardless of whether or not the answer is even plausable.  In what world would Barack Obama give the finger during a speech?  IN NO FUCKING WORLD!!  But that answer must be given equal time to the correct answer, that he was scratching his face.  Lordy, the stupid has been brought recently.

+++++++++++++++++

Okay, I’ve only noticed this three times, but that might be a trend…  And John McCain did is Sunday on “This Week,” so I’m inclined to say that Karl Rove whispered this into his ear and he’s following along like a good little soldier.  Here’s what he did.  Instead of calling Barack “Ba-rock,” he called him “Berrrick.”  Maybe I’ve been reading too many blogs, but I’m certain Karl Rove is behind everything, and this type of thing seems so Rovian.

+++++++++++++++++

The footage of the marchers after Obama’s Friday night rally chanting “Yes We Can” was pretty freaking awesome.

+++++++++++++++++

That thing on John McCain’s face seems larger.  Seriously.  It’s like something from South Park.

+++++++++++++++++

I went to see “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”  My initial instinct was to not see the movie, because their ad campaign around Los Angeles really pissed me off.  (Did this campaign go on elsewhere?  Billboards that say things like “Even my mom could’t stand you Sarah Marshall.”  But they didn’t say anything about the movie?  Like, look at me, I’m clever.  Hehehe.  Whatever, I digress.)  Anyway, didn’t click for me.  But here’s my biggest problem with the film:  the two best lines from the commercial weren’t even in the movie.  Jonah Hill yelling over his shoulder about a party of one, nope, not in the movie.  And Jason Segel sitting naked on the sofa saying, “Do you want to pick out the outfit I should wear for you to break up with me?”  Also not in the movie.  As the kids say these days, WTF?

+++++++++++++++++

Mrs. Landingham is in a commercial for FiberOne Yogurt.  And not as “I’m the woman who played Mrs. Landingham and now I think you need to eat this crap.”  No, she’s just a shopper in a supermarket.  That made me kind of sad.

+++++++++++++++++

On that note, I oftentimes will wake up thinking that I need to check on-line to see what President Bartlet’s administration is up to.  You can imagine my surprise as my dream-state comes crashing down to earth…

+++++++++++++++++

I purchased three non-fiction books today, the first time evah I have not purchased fiction (aside from cookbooks).  Two of Glenn’s book and Cliff’s book.  Hurry, Amazon, bring me books!!

Thanks for reading!!

During this evening’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” on MSNBC there was a commercial for the “Doc Block.”

The “Doc Block” is two one-hour documentaries broadcast back-to-back most evenings on MSNBC.  They generally center around prisons, prostitutes and predators.  While it is mildly interesting seeing the motel that’s a couple of blocks from my apartment featured prominently on TV (”Ohh, look, it’s the hooker who’s always at the Wendy’s!”), I usually tune them out.

Anyway, here’s the commercial (forgive the crappy video):

And here’s the copy:

This December be of good cheer, it’s MSNBC’s recipe of premieres.  A doc-feast so sweet it’s a month-long holiday treat.  Colossal December premieres.  All the ingredients to end your year.  Seasons beatings from “Lock-Up: Extended Stay” to being naughty on “Conviction” day.  Deck the halls, be jolly, ’tis the season to be “Born in the Wrong Body.”  MSNBC’s Colossal December Premieres.  So good it’ll scare the Dickens out of you.

Two things going on here that are wrong.  One is all sorts of wrong, and the other is just plain stupid-wrong.

First, the stupid-wrong.  The commercial claims that we’re in for “colossal December premieres,” but “Born in the Wrong Body” has already premiered, back in April.  Wikipedia lists its broadcast date as April 22, 2007.  And while MSNBC’s site does not specify its exact original air date, it does have a long (and interesting, I might add) article about the documentary that was updated on May 3, 2007.  Additionally, there are a couple of blog posts and discussions about the show here and here.

Basically, not a premiere.  Which makes me wonder why MSNBC would put it into a commercial and claim it was a premiere.  Perhaps they were looking for something to rhyme with “jolly,” though I don’t think “body” is that good a choice.

But there’s also something that’s profoundly wrong with this commercial, specifically that final tag, the “it’ll scare the Dickens out of you.”

There are two great and informative episodes of This American Life featuring author Griffin Hansbury from back in 2002 and 2005 that capture very well the experience of being a transgender person (you can listen to the episodes for free here and here, they’re both quite good).  I also lived in Provincetown for a short period, and became acquainted with a couple of people who are transgendered.

There are many adjectives that can be used to describe transgendered people.  I’m not so sure “scary” would be on the list, and I certainly don’t think a documentary about five transgender youths will “scare the Dickens” out of me.  And I think it’s pretty nasty of MSNBC to imply that it will.

Oddly, I can’t seem to find any listing on MSNBC’s site for when the show will actually air.  Guess I’ll just have to tune in to the Doc-Bloc every night and hope that it’s not rioting prisoners or dogs that attack or pervy men trying to bang teenage cheerleaders but rather some transgender kids to scare me, because that’s what I’m looking for in my holiday programming.

Barack Obama has announced that Oprah Winfrey will be doing some campaigning for him.  Monday, on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” Keith interviewed Craig Crawford, who is a columnist for Congressional Quarterly and has written a few books with incredibly long titles (think “Smart Smart Smart:  Why Smarter Snark is Smartsmartsmart”).

The fact that somehow Craig seems to be able to talk while inhaling as well as exhaling notwithstanding, I generally agree with him.  But when he and Keith broached the subject of Oprah hitting the stump for Obama, I think they got it wrong.

First, this from Keith:

Now, Oprah Winfrey is actually on the books to campaign for Obama, a two-day tour through Iowa and New Hampshire the weekend after next.  Is this going to tip the balance in his favor?  Or are we going to find out that there‘s a silent majority that just does not like her? 

Then, Craig’s response:

I‘m not sure it helps him.  These stars are trouble sometimes.  They don‘t stick to the script.  She might get off message.  She might say things the campaign doesn‘t want to be said.  They‘ve got their own issues.  They tend to over shadow the candidates sometimes.  He‘s already a rock star in his own right.  I think he was better keeping her at arm‘s length.

(Text bold-ify’d by me.)

I’ve got to take exception with labeling Oprah a “star.”  Yes, she is a celebrity.  Yes, she is famous.  And yes, she is a star.  But to lump her together with all sorts of other celebrity endorsements is ignoring the sheer reach and power of the Oprah brand and imprimatur.

Approximately 46 million people in the United States watch Oprah every week.  That’s about 1/7 of the entire population.  By comparison, according to the Clerk of the US House of Representatives, only 80 million people voted in 2006’s elections.

Now, I’m not saying that Oprah’s 46 million viewers are going to head out and cast a vote for Obama because she says they should, but I suspect more are going to vote for Obama because of Oprah and are going to vote for Hilary Clinton because Barbra Streisand says to vote for her.  And the inclination to join Oprah up with other celebrities is ignoring her considerable clout.

Tonight on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Keith did one of his special comments about waterboarding and the potential legal jeopardy George W. Bush might find himself in.

While I pretty much agree with what he’s saying, I have little faith in there actually being any consequences.

Here is a link to Crooks and Liars’ post, which has video and the transcript.  It’s worth the 10 minutes or so.

But let’s say you don’t have 10 minutes to invest, watch a minute or two.  Then, let me know if you agree that Keith switching from one camera to another looks totally stupid.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:  just look at the camera and tell us what you’re got to say, don’t go all dramatical on us and sweep from one angle to another.

To:  Keith Olbermann

From:  Daniel Kells

Date:  July 19, 2007

Re:  Thank you!

Keith:

I honestly don’t think you read my blog, but… you just finished delivering a special comment to President Bush on Bush’s smear of Mrs. Clinton, and… you didn’t swing from camera to camera once.  You stared straight ahead and delivered your invictive cleanly and beautifully.

Granted, President Bush isn’t listening.  But hopefully more and more people will, and a sea change might be wrought upon this government.

Again, thanks.

My best,
–Daniel

To:  Allison Stewart, Guest Host, Countdown with Keith Olbermann

From:  Daniel Kells

Date:  July 17, 2007

Re:  Do your own thing…

Allison,

 Good to see you again, and I hope you’re enjoying guesting for Keith on Countdown this evening.

I like you.  You’re a pretty decent host.  I have no clue if you actually possess any credentials as a journalist, but whatever, I’m used to getting my news from pin-ups rather than actual journalists, but… you’ve got to be yourself.  Your Keith Olbermann irreverent schtick is irritating.  Furthermore, you’re not good at it.  You look staged, over-directed, akin to a community theater presentation.

Do the folks at MSNBC make you do that?  Or do you think that by doing it we’ll somehow like you more?  Does Keith even watch your shows?  Perhaps ask him what he thinks of it.  I suspect he’ll agree with me.

Thanks!
–Daniel

To:  Keith Olbermann

From:  Daniel Kells

Date:  July 16, 2007

Re:  Just one little thing…

Keith:

All you have to do is look into the camera and tell us what you have to say.  We’re listening, and as you continue to to speak truth to power, more and more people will tune in.  But, take it from a gay, you look really gay when you dramatically swing from one camera to another between thoughts.  Cut that out.  Just stare straight ahead.  Trust me, it’ll work much better.

Thanks,–Daniel