Weekend Thoughts

If you aren't hip to Harry Shearer's Le Show, you should be. He's been producing his own one-hour public radio show...for which he has never been paid...for twenty or twenty-five years. The show is based in LA, but is broadcast nationally on whatever public stations want to pick it up (he literally gives the show away so that he can do whatever he wants). Anyway, the show is a guaranteed laugh and one can count on the show for some razor sharp political news, satire, wit, and parodies. It's a real, real enjoyable listen. By the way, his musical taste is impeccable, and he plays a number of fantastic songs every week. His Bush 41-talks-with-Bush 43 skits are a riot. Apologies of the week are always great.

His second home (I assume) is/was in the French Quarter, and sometimes he produces the show while he is on vacation in Louisiana. He dedicated his show this week to talking about his life and love for New Orleans. The link above should have a download for this week's show (it's not up as I type this, but he posts them weekly). Listen and enjoy. Podcasts of the show are available here.

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Tim Russert beat the heck out of Michael Chertoff on Meet the Press this week. If you didn't see it, you missed the total and complete pantsing of the director of Homeland Security. The transcript is here. The video clip on MSNBC is worth it. They only offer about 4 1/2 minutes of the 15 minute humiliation, but if you watch it you'll see that Russert really hammers the guy, and if you read the transcript you'll be a Russert fan for life. Way to go, Big Tim. It's so refreshing to see someone ask hard questions and demand more of his interviewees, rather than softball questions and gladhanding. Some will accuse Russert of going over the line this morning, but I won't. Hey look at that! Another podcast.

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The NBC concert on Friday was A-OK with me. Nothing cynical to be said about it. I owe apologies to Marcia Gay Harden, who I had mocked because she was listed twice I and found that funny, but who was, of course, completely fine in her role asking for money.

- I think Harry Connick, Jr. should be commended...he was in New Orleans helping out the day after the storm, and it looked like he hadn't slept a wink by Friday on the concert. I've always thought he was an average vocalist trapped in a ridiculously musically talented body. He got in there and got his hands dirty, kept working hard throughout the week, and then did what he does. Played some music.
- Same with Wynton. I got no problem with Wynton. Many people have had problems with Wynton, but not me...he's super talented, super smart, and super earnest. Points.
- Tim McGraw & Faith Hill? Eh. Fine. Whatever.
- Aaron Neville. I can't listen to an album. I just get tired. But his version of "Amazing Grace" was spectacular, moving, and as good as it gets. I can't seem to find a podcast for it, but I'm sure it's out there. And they keep replaying the concert on cable, so look for it.

Points to all of them for a fine, classy effort, including Kanye West, who was not the only person to freak out on live television this week. I saw that a lot. I've got no problem with venting some crazy-ass frustration and him speaking his mind. Raw emotions? Go with 'em. Really. Kanye gets points. Just for being human.