This isn’t about movies or Hollywood, but I have to vent: Does anyone else absolutely hate the CNN Anchor Tony Harris? He drives me crazy. He’s glib, vapid, and he makes endless (very bad) jokes. He seems to enjoy ending interviews, where nothing useful is elicited, by taking a long pause and then saying: “Hmm, great interview. very helpful”. Clearly he never listens.

I searched for any “I hate Tony Harris” websites, and to my chagrin there are none. I did, however, find two blog posts that I officially join in Tony Harris-hating solidarity. One post lists Tony Harris as #3 on its “list of terrible news anchors” and criticizes his habit of “looking off into space, as if he’s thinking” (I think this speaks to my ‘vapid’ allegation). And then another blog complains about Tony’s habit of “hmmm’ing” as his interviewers talk. Couldn’t agree more.

I’ll add more examples as Tony makes them. But seriously, is no one else annoyed by him? Is there a more annoying anchor? (I’m excluding the undeniable crackpots, like Bill O’Reilly) Any suggestions on other most-hated news anchors , or Tony Harris bloopers, are most welcome.

Update: Ahh, more Tony Harris “support”, this time at FacesoftheNews.com

We congratulated Conan, and made fun of Carson, for their respective stances on the Writers Guild Strike. But now comes news that Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are going to return without their writers in January.

In a statement, the two hosts said they would prefer to return to work with their writers. “If we cannot, we would like to express our ambivalence, but without our writers we are unable to express something as nuanced as ambivalence,” they stated.

This is disappointing news, even more so because they are two people who are clearly intelligent and understand the issues involved (sorry Carson Daly, we just get the feeling you don’t read the newspaper). Their move will probably embolden studios and networks to continue to take a hard line against the writers. And it’s hard to imagine the shows will be very good without the writers. Seems like a double-whammy. It’s also frustrating that Steward and Colbert didn’t articulate their reasons for coming back. If anyone can find a link that explains it, please post in comments.

The Writers Guild Strike continues. Some news from the Associated Press that there is “progress being made” in contract negotiations, and that talks over the past few days have been “substantive”. Hard to know what that actually means. I take substantive to be code for “we aren’t arguing over who pays for coffee anymore”, so don’t hold your breath. Full article here.

The continuing strike also means your favorite shows are going to start going to reruns. Here’s an updated list. Of my favorites, The Office is all out of new shows, House has three left, as does 30 Rock.

Speaking of 30 Rock, does anyone else think this show is just getting better and better? Jack (Alec Baldwin) is an incredible character. He recently had an affair with a Democratic Senator played by Edie Falco. Hopefully she returns in future episodes. And in last week’s episode he decided to impose American values on a Bronx little league team. He gave them new uniforms and equipment, they pulled down a statute in the park like it was Saddam Hussein, and he had a huge banner displaying “Fun Times Accomplished”. Of course then the kids started fighting among themselves so he ordered a surge, which sadly was ineffective. As the New York Times points out here, it’s odd that it’s a show like this that’s the most political. If you haven’t watched 30 Rock before, give it a chance. It’s absolutely hilarious.

And finally, I’m generally skeptical of comments on news sites. I like comments on blogs of course, but on news sites I worry that comments from crackpots gain legitimacy simply by appearing on a mainstream media site. Still, I have to share an exchange in the comments section on the New York Times from a story talking about how many episodes each show has left:

In response to the list of episodes left for each show, someone named “Rob Barry” writes:

Considering all that mankind has to contend with, this “story” is not worthy of notice. If Family Guy never ran another episode, I seriously doubt that a single additional life in Darfur would be lost…

Alright, fine Rob Barry. It’s not serious stuff. Although one wonders why you’re bothering to comment on it. But anyways, a few comments down, a hero named Jose puts Rob Barry in his place:

Litle did you know there is a huge Family Guy follwing in Darfur so the strike is only adding to their suffering by taking away one of their few joys in life.

Thank you Jose. And God bless Family Guy and Seth MacFarlane.

(Heidi Klum as sexy snowflake angel)

(weird purple dress angel - It’s like the Nutcracker, but instead of children running out from under the dress, it’s a girl with no pants on wearing thigh-hi white go-go boots!)

So, it’s all anyone who was expecting to see TWO Spice Girls songs last night can talk about:

“Where was the second song?”

Yep, for reasons of economy, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (pre-filmed a few weeks ago) cut the new Spice Girls single, “Headlines” and only showed one number, “Stop.”

“Stop” is one of the all-time best Spice Girls numbers, and it was lip synched really well at the VS fashion show. The girls are in cute “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” costumes and do a cute dance. This is old school Spice Girls at it’s very best! p.s. What’s with the male tumblers in the beginning? Spice Girls are all about GIRL POWER!

The best video I’ve found is on JustJared.com, and you should totally watch it if you can. Click here to see the video.

The second installment tonight was just as good as yesterday’s. I can’t wait for the shocking conclusion tomorrow.

One upsetting thing I neglected to mention before:

The “Dorothy” character is named “D.G.”

Slightly irritating: I presume that D.G. is supposed to bring to mind “Dorothy Gale” from the Wizard of Oz.

More irritating: Many of the other characters call D.G. “Deeg” which, of course, was Candace Cameron’s character’s nickname on “Full House” and I have no desire to hear it thrown about in the fantasy world of Oz.

(SPOILER ALERT - DO NOT CONTINUE READING IF YOU WISH TO KEEP THE PLOT A SECRET)

Supremely irritating: D.G.’s sister’s name is Azkadellia. We are supposed to believe that one mother named one child Azkadellia and the other D.G.?!??!