One of the benefits of working at home is daytime television, like one of the benefits of being a plumber is all the free compost. Remember when it started? The compost, I mean? It was in the 90s. The king of daytime talk was Phil Donahue, whose show in the beginning could seem salacious but actually was thoughtful and measured compared with his usurpers racing to find the lowest common denominator of public taste and intelligence. (Judging by their spawn, “reality TV,” it hasn’t been found yet.) Along came Geraldo Rivera and Jerry Springer and Oprah Winfrey, and the mud-rasslin’ was in full swing. Of course, today it all seems tame, but mercifully we didn’t know that then. Phil tried to resist the trend but was powerless really. He eventually eased into the mud with the others, then quit. Oprah took the opposite route; she started in the mire and over time pulled herself and her show to higher ground. As for Geraldo and Jerry Springer, oh my. I honestly don’t know what they’re doing now and don’t care. Enough of a very old rant. At least I got a cartoon out of it.
That’s Entertainment!
By Jimmy Johnson
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122 responses to “That’s Entertainment!”
Here’s a tune relative to the retro and Jimmy’s comments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1SQLqb47vI
I don’t watch any of it because there are better uses for my time, like visiting here!
I knew someone that was on Oprah and got skewered. Oprah was pretty quick to criticize and it was impossible for her to get her whole story out in the amount of time that the episode was on. But producers got their entertainment value at the expense of their guest.
I have tried to resist looking at the comments section of newspapers online as it sends my BP sky high. Too many comments with little to no empathy and with much ignorance. It is impossible to have a composed, respectful discussion.
While sometimes the posters here go off the beaten path, we are a very civil group. I hope that it always stays that way.
I despise television in most forms and reality tv and talk shows the most, so I never, ever watch. I, however, have no qualms about exposing my life to total strangers here!
And columns I write are based on my real life, that doesn’t bother me at all. The mud slinging and mud wrestling do. The Village is a gentle, kind place and the worse you all might do is go “tsk-tsk” and shake a finger at me. Not sure which finger?
Love you all, especially Jimmy. I have a flat and am waiting for roadside assistance from Allstate insurance.
Love, Jackie
David and Jackie, it’s a relief to hear from you both! Now, as Debbe said, we need to hear from Loon and sandcastler.
Jimmy, reading your above comment makes me miss some of the thoughtful, incisive evening interviewers like Dick Cavett, David Frost, and Dennis Wholey.
Good to know you are in good hands, Jackie. 😉
The Previous Days’ Blogs gods seem to be angry today.
Thought for the Day: Accept the fact that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue.
My daughter seems to thrive on those shows. I use tyne exact phrase Jimmy uses – lowest common denominator. I don’t see anything entertaining in watching people at their worst, and frankly, the more we are exposed to it, the more normal and acceptable it becomes.
I’m done ranting. I have to go find out who my real mother is. 😛
Jimmy, I love your “compost” line! Geraldo is on Faux “News” these days; I saw him lampooned on The Daily Show recently. Springer is still at the same old thing, according to Wikipedia.
emb: “TIP BlogSpot: We haven’t had one this naughty since last time. [As wife said, ‘All men are prancing, leering, billygoats.’] [speelczech won’t buy ‘billygoats’.] Also, cptr. made me get to this comments section circuitously, so lost the BlogSpot URL. Have to get to work. Somebody else please find it.”
http://thatispriceless.blogspot.com
BTW, very few of the young lovelies at my gym are that plump. Times are a’changing.
Internet is misbehaving. I also snuck in a side door. Jackie, Please be very careful taking potassium. It can actually have serious side effects. Favorite saying: Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.-unk
Internet is fine. Can’t say the same for this blog today.
emb, it’s not just you. “The nakedness of woman is the work of God.” – William Blake
Of course it’s not just me. Wife said, “All men are . . ..”
OF due 1540-1600 CST. Peace, emb
http://www.nps.gov/features/yell/webcam/oldFaithfulStreaming.html
I hope to nap. Someone else can catch the next prediction. emb
For what it may be worth: I was unable to get to the previous several days’ comments for the past 24 hours. That is still the case on Internet Explorer. However, if I switch to Firefox, I can – and did – get there to see the comments.
Jerry and Debbe – Blacklight is named for the bulb. She’s not very bright (to be charitable, she is a genius at using her adorableness to get stuff she wants, beyond that, not so much. She is Nermal.), very limited in her usefulness (chief duties – lap warmer and paperweight), but entertaining to have around. That said, I tend to call her “Snarf” or “Nerf” more often than not; both are favorite phrases of hers when she is trying to wheedle me into giving her treats or con me out of my blankets.
Very, very icy this morning. The trash can on wheels, aka Chevy Astro van (still no car), was not happy about the drive to work this morning. Quick recap about van – insanely light, rear wheel drive with a doughnut on one of the drive wheels. No heat or defrost. Yes, I am aware this is not a good thing. Every few feet it would slide into the snow drifts lining the street. Mercifully, I only live a few blocks from work. Skittered into my parking lot, ice skated into the store. Spent the morning alternating between cursing the girl who did my books yesterday (sends me a TEXT yesterday morning telling me she was “$500.00 short, something with lottery, you can figure it out tomorrow.”) and watching traffic fishtail down the street. Had one guy slide his way into the parking, bounce off my parking bumper, then LEAP from his truck, only to land on his backside in the lot. I tried and failed to refrain from giggling as he walked in the door. He said, “Oh man, did you see that?” When I told him I watched the whole thing from the security monitor, he blushed and told me not to tell anyone – he is the safety guy at his job. Not a chance. 🙂
*slide his way into the parking lot!
PA Linked my Facebook with Mindy from Indy screen name here. Click my name if you wish. Beware, lots of cat pictures and grumbles about cold weather lurk on the other end of that link. 😉
Grrr – PS!
I LOVED today’s real-time strip. I feel the same way Arlo does when it comes to pillows and bed-making. I have nine, okay seven, two belong to her majesty. Still, I wrestle the king size sheets, all the blankets, think I am done, only to see the leaning tower of pillows waiting for me. Le sigh.
I too was having trouble with both yesterday and today on internet explorer. I’m doing fine now on iPad (Safari).
YAY for Jackie and David. Mindy, I’m going to Friend request you on FB. Jackie, some of us could not find you on FB.
Nancy Kirk
My wife is a pillow addict, too. I’m not. At one time, we had six (6!) on our bed. The excess ones are a nuisance.
Believe it or not, I finally got in this time by way of Wikipedia. But of course you are not reading this unless you found a way in. Last time I clicked on submit it kicked me out so let’s see if
OK! Well hello to folks reading this tomorrow.
GR….at 10:36ish….”The Previous Days’ Blogs gods seem to be angry today…and then something about internet is fine..but you can’t say…
OK….who is ‘Bad Mindy”? And why did you leave your belt there” and “why you don’t speak any more”. That’s all I can recall from yesterday’s blog…,,,
so…………….!?
…I believe you, Jerry….I’ll check it out, tomorrow!!
Janis took off her high heels from her session with the short skirt, and lo and behold, Arlo is a bit taller.
Yep, Wikipedia doesn’t work every time, but it’s the only way that I can get in. Did you ever walk into an empty basketball gym? That’s what it feels like.
Debbe, How are you getting in?