"30 Rock's" Tracy Morgan on NPR

I'm a big fan of "30 Rock". I can't quote every witty line from every show, but who can? I'm actually doing a research project on "30 Rock". It's called "The Fun Cooker: Mixing up "30 Rock", Social Media and Social Networking". That might be too crafty for the academic types for this particular conference where I'm presenting, but if you watch the show, you'll remember how hilarious the 'fun cooker' episode was.

Leading up to season four of "30 Rock", there was some hype and attention. I mean they did win a Golden Globe as well as some Emmys, so they should be getting a bit more notice from the general public.

I say all that to say, that Tracy Morgan was recently on NPR's "Fresh Air" with Terri Gross. I should also note that Terri Gross is one of thee best interviewers ever! Her shining interviews skills are not so apparent in her interview w/Morgan. He managed to trip her up on multiple occasions. I still think she did a good job, but I could tell that she was expecting a funnyman and got a large dose of seriousness. The interview is definitely worth listening to.

Election Night Excitement

I don't normally do politics on my blog. I just don't want to get into that discussion w/the general public. It's bad enough that my walking group and I discuss politics on a regular basis in addition to lengthy discussions w/most of my family and friends.

It was just astronomically wonderful to watch Election Night returns! There was such a positive energy. I don't have cable, so I mostly watched NBC and CBS (just a pinch of PBS, but it was too boring; they did a much better job w/the debates). I did not watch ABC because I do not get a clear picture - what will I do when the analog signal goes away?

My neighbor stopped by after telling me that she was exhausted, but yes, everyone wanted to see how this one would go down. I was checking Twitter and Facebook to see what the activity was like on those platforms too. Just constant updates.

And to see the announcement come down was euphoric. All I noticed on the TV screen was a giant graphic that had a picture of Barack Obama and underneath it said "44th President of the United States". I just got goosebumps writing that. Incredible. Then they cut to Grant Park. I can only wish I was there. But I did feel that atmosphere. I still feel it today and I imagine that I will feel it for the weeks and months to come.

I'm making plans to be in the nation's capitol on the Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Holiday - Monday, January 19, 2009 and then the next day, I hope President Obama will have a public event that I will attend on Tuesday, January 20, 2009! I will be there - for sure.

Oprah and "30 Rock"

Love this show. Can't Wait for the new season to begin!

Satire - SNL Style

I could not resist posting this. I did not watch Saturday Night Live (SNL) last night, but I went straight to Hulu and this was on the home page.

Loved their take on last Thursday's Vice Presidential debate. And it was a treat to see Queen Latifah play Gwen Ifill.

One of My Fav 30 Rock Clips

This is my little tribute to Alec Baldwin who is up for Best Actor in a Comedy for tonight's Emmy's:

Tim Russert

Like many people, I was jolted last Friday afternoon after hearing about the sudden death of Tim Russert. What an awesome person. So passionate about his job as a NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and host of the weekly political show "Meet the Press".

I used to love to sit on the couch on a lovely Sunday morning (I'm not really a frequent Sunday morning church goer) w/some coffee and the Sunday newspaper and the television on "Meet the Press". Russert could be affable, but mostly he got to the crux of many issues by asking the tough questions.

Well, I'm in D.C. for a few weeks. My sister drove me past the NBC offices on Nebraska Avenue where flowers and other items have been left in honor of Russert.

We then attended the public memorial @ St. Albans on Tuesday, June 17th. So touching. There was a long line, but it moved swiftly. Of course, it was a solemn moment. There was a closed casket and a beautiful flower arrangement. Once we filed through we shook hands w/some family members before having an opportunity to jot down our words of support for the Russert Family or just so share any thoughts about Russert.

Also, while there, a slim, but white haired guy walked by ... it was former presidential candidate John Kerry.

I am so moved by this - the passing of Tim Russert. My common denominators with him include

• living in Buffalo, New York
  
• living in Cleveland, Ohio
• interest in politics
• career in journalism
• fan of the Buffalo Bills (him more so than me)

Russert's sudden passing leaves such a major void especially with the upcoming presidential election.

My thoughts and prayers are w/his family, friends and colleagues.

I Love "30 Rock"

I don't know what I've been doing w/my time lately. Actually, if you check out the All Consuming info, you can see that I have been consuming something.

I had been trying to wait to post my thoughts on the first season of "30 Rock". I've been on Netflix taking advantage of the 'watch instantly' feature. 'Watch instantly' is cool but it's a bit janky at times and it is difficult to rewind and fast forward w/o losing the entire stream.

Now "30 Rock" - I did miss the pilot about about five episodes and it was nice for me to get some fresh laughs. I am a huge fan of Jack. Alec Baldwin is awesome in that role. I do like Lemon as well. However, sometimes I just can't believe that she is as smart and stupid as she is. But interestingly enough Tracy's character is also high on my list. The things he says are so ridiculous, but not really. Oh, and Kenneth is so well calculated - love that. The supporting cast do an awesome job of pulling it all together.

I am waiting to get to the episode about the Black Crusaders chasing after Tracy. I think I am about six episodes away from that one. I thought I saw all of it, but it seems I missed NBC's Lester Holt and I hear it's hilarious.

What are your thoughts on "30 Rock"? Some say that it is a show that they just don't 'get'. I get it; I get laughs ... lots of silly laughter.

A Proper Send Off, please ...

I've been an viewer of the CW's "Girlfriends" since it began. In recent years, I have wanted to pitch the show from my viewing list because it lost its moxie, but since it is damn near the only show w/people who look like me, I've tended to give it a chance on Monday evenings @ 9 p.m. (though I must admit, the show's competition at that time is minimal).

I've liked the way the show humorously (and too oft times, dramatically) deals w/a variety of issues and situations. The ensemble cast complimented one another nicely. Loved William's character with so many snide quips; and his latest mate/girlfriend/wife, Monica. When Monica first arrived on the show she was 'in-your-face' feisty! Loved that. She's simmered down lately and I don't much like it.

Speaking of liking something ... my point w/this post is to inform you that the show is over. The last episode aired on Monday, February 11 @ 9:30 p.m. How about that? Learning that a show's season finale aired after the show aired ... Yeah, CW announced later in the week that the Monday episode was the last one.

Folks are not happy. Count me amongst them. A proper send off is in order. So let's get on the horn and let the CW know that the show deserves at least an adequate series finale. You know, an episode that could include a reunion between Joan and Toni ...!? Hello. I have been watching and waiting and hoping that the sassy Toni Childs would return and then return the show to it's proper place on my TV viewing list - near the top.

So check out this webbie - Sheila Goss' blog - the info is there on contacting the CW.

Post Grammy's

I've mentioned before how much I like awards season. I like to see the winners accept their award - and I am always hopeful that they speak from the heart and not from some folded up piece of paper.

Well, the Grammy Awards came and went, but not w/out a few incidents:

• Aretha Franklin is peeved w/Beyonce because Beyonce referred to Tina Turner as "The Queen"
• I got a kick out of this. Especially when I read on Bossip that Beyonce's father said that Beyonce did not say "The Queen of Soul" or whatever ...

• Natalie Cole publicly stating that she did not think that Amy Winehouse should have won any awards (Winehouse won five of six nominations). Cole was referring to Winehouse's battle w/drug and alcohol addiction. It's unfortunate that Cole has her Grammy already along w/having had some of the same issues that Winehouse is dealing with; furthermore, I am glad the Winehouse did win - the awards are for her music and not the struggles in her life.

• Oh, and can someone tell Kanye West to 'get off of himself!' I like his music, but his arrogance is indigestible.

Can't wait to see the Oscars and see how that pans out. What will they do when Ruby Dee wins and she wants to talk forever ... ?

My random 7

My random 7:

1. I'm not as impatient as I use to be.
2. I am purging my wardrobe; really.
3. Radio is my passion.
4. I want to improve my handwriting.
5. Neutral, natural colors are my fav.
6. I absolutely love my Jeep.
7. Multi-tasking while watching reality TV is something that I often do.

Awards Shows...ooooh la la!

My love for music is magnified every year about this time. Actually, I cull the listing of nominees copiously when they are announced. I particularly like the Grammy's and the Oscar's.

The Grammy's are on the docket for Sunday evening. I'm excited for Mary J. Blige who I remember from her debut days. And her disc "The Breakthrough" is a nice one.

I'll be interested in the performances too. The Grammy's almost always have at least one performance that is killer!

I am underwhelmed by the hype of Justin Timberlake and some newbie getting a chance to sing w/him. I think I am still a bit peeved that he's the media darling all these years after the 'wardrobe malfunction.' On the other hand, CBS won't even play a Janet Jackson song as background music. I just feel/felt as if both of them should have received the same treatment. Interestingly enough, Janet is nominated for a Grammy (so maybe a Janet song will be aired on CBS).

I'll really be watching to see how Gnarls Barkley does. They'll be performing, but they are also nominated in a couple of categories. Same for my fav band, The Roots. I'm going to leave off on this one because everything else I have to say is so wholeheartedly in favor of The Roots that you will certainly get tired of hearing it and say okay, okay, we get the point ... I know, if only you had a vote ...