In the news

First things first: Rosie is leaving The View. And I am sad.

To be honest, that show struck me, at first, as somewhat banal. The level of banter was less than inspiring. I had always liked Meredith Viera on 60 Minutes, but here, she looked like an idiot. And that Debbie Metanopolous? What an airhead. This was back in, what, 97? I watched once, and it was enough.

So ... fast forward to February 2007, where we were living in temporary housing in Houston. With nothing to do, I got sucked into daytime TV. And it continued when we moved and I spent days unpacking. Then came the Star Jones debacle, and I was hooked.

I've always like Rosie O'Donnell. I liked her daytime show, though I did grow tired of her schtick with "my Tommy." Gag - even then street talk was that she was a lesbian, and to see her mooning over Tom Cruise - not my favorite - was nauseating. Then she left the show, went radical, got *the* haircut, and I liked her again. (I admire a rebel.)

Having her on The View has been fun. Yes, she's outspoken and controversial. But without her, the others would be boring. Barbara is OK, but mild and ever the peace maker - she won't take a stand, because of her position with ABC, which is fine. Joy Behar is sort of dull, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck? An idiot. And not because she is conservative, either - I have seen times when Bill O'Reilly sounds intelligent and I will give him credit. George Will can make a sound argument. Hasselbeck gets riled at the merest suggestion that the GOP os out of line, and everyday she seems to simply repeat what she heard on Fox News the previous evening.

So Rosie has brought all the excitement. Sigh. Not sure I'll continue watching. Thanks, Rosie - it's been fun.

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John McCain is running for president. Who knew?

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Katie Couric may be in trouble. Her newscasts are losing viewers. And you know what? Told you so! I'm not a big fan. On the Today show, she, too, seemed like an idiot. I watched her do some of the stupidest interviews ever - though I turned off Today long ago, her star power grew and she turned up everywhere. I saw her interview JK Rowling when HP No. 5 came out, and she asked questions that were embarrassing - had I been Rowling, I would have been livid.

I have, however, watched her on CBS. It's habit - I grew up with Walter Cronkite, and I have not been able to switch. And I wanted to give a woman a chance. But should she go, I won't be too sorry. Bring back Bob Schieffer - him, I liked. I read today that Couric has acted like a *star* at CBS, has been patronizing to others. Hmmm. Time to go?

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Good riddance to Heather Mills. The girls were asking last night why she is famous. Because she is ex-Mrs. McCartney, that's why. Charity campaigner? Please. Estranged wife should be her title. She wasn't even the worst dancer, but this is what happens when you screw over the cute Beatle.

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Could someone explain to me just what Paula Abdul adds to American Idol? She mimics everything Randy Jackson says. My god, the woman does not have an original thought in her head. Other shows rotate who goes first, but they wouldn't dare let her comment first on AI - she would have nothing to say, and they would have to deal with an awkward and embarrassing mumbling as she tried to express her vacant mind. She looks stoned, or drunk, or both. Let's vote her off.

Some nights, I swear I do not hear what the judges hear. Jordin was FLAT last night! Blake did a nice job (nice song choice), and Melinda and Lakisha were fine. But Phil? Chris? Please. But Lakisha could go, even though it should be Phil or Chris.

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Rant over. Bye!