Exclusive Interview with Steve Hofstetter

Danielle Solzman: Steve, thanks for joining the Kentucky Democrat today. How are things going with you?
Steve Hofstetter: It's going well. I just shoveled snow for the first time since I was a kid. It's not as much fun when there's no hot chocolate waiting for you afterwards, but I still felt all nostalgic.

DS: When did you decide that you wanted to be a comedian and why did you make such a decision?
SH: Six months after I was a comedian. At first I just did it because it was fun and a way to pay rent. But laughter is a drug, and I realized I was pretty good at it. During a show at MIT, the openers were eating it, and I was waiting to go on. I actually wanted to go on even though the crowd sucked. There's an old sports cliché, “winners want the ball.” That was the first time in my life I ever wanted the ball.

DS: Jewish parents often brag about their children being lawyers or doctors, how often do you hear parents bragging about their children being a comedian?
SH: Jewish parents, all the time. Because we have Seinfeld and Jackie Mason. We also have a billion others, but those are the two my parents’ friends have heard of.

DS: You wrote a book, National Lampoon Balls! An In Your Face Look at sports , this past year. Given the title, when you inscribe it to someone, do you sometimes feel sick in your stomach?
SH: Not at all - I try to have a sense of humor about all things. If I didn't think “enjoy my Balls!” was funny, I wouldn't have written the book.

DS: How did you get the idea to write that book?
SH: I've been a sports fan for my whole life. And to me, there's nothing funnier than how seriously people take sports. There's never been a sports book that valued humor over information. It's usually a bit funny, but mainly sports. This is a bit sports, but mainly funny.

DS: What’s the day in the life of a touring comedian like?
SH: It’s different for all of us. For me and my guys (Denis Donohue and Phil Mazo), I usually wake up around 9 or 10, and check my email and write til they get up at 12 or 1. They go running while I check my email (we all have different types of laziness), then we all go eat. We drive 4-5 hours to the next gig, and en route we listen to Sirius, play Guitar Hero, and check our email. We do the gig, and either party after or go back to the hotel and watch Family Guy. And then we do it again the next day.

DS: At an average show, how many people come up after the show ends and tell you that you’re a friend of theirs on sites like MySpace and Facebook?
SH: Usually 5-10. Most realize that I won't recognize them. Occasionally, someone is offended that I don't remember them. “Come on, you don't recognize me? I'm the person that emailed you once two years ago, you know, with the picture of the cat instead of my face.”

DS: Do you think that social networking sites are helpful to aspiring comedians when it comes to building a name for themselves amongst the fans?
SH: Certainly, they're democratic. I'm rising because people are telling their friends to check out my stuff. The internet is about what people think is funny, not what TV execs think is funny.

DS: With all the “friends” that you have, when do you think you will be appearing on the late night shows…if they ever get back into production again?
SH: I am in the final stages for two of them, so if they go back to production, I’d guess I’ll be on at least one of em in 2008. But it's such a crap shoot that it's hard to say.

DS: You graduated from Columbia University, right? What did you do there to further your comedic career?
SH: Yup. While there, I joined a fraternity, not because I thought i should but because it was 30 of the funniest guys I'd ever met. They influenced me more than most things to develop a sense of humor. And I had to be quick - we were vicious.

DS: You’re a Mets fan, correct?
SH: Yup.

DS: What the heck happened to them this season?
SH: Rickey freaking Henderson.

DS: After Endy Chavez stole a home run from Scott Rolen, did you think that the 2006 NLCS series was over?
SH: No, I'm not silly enough to think that its over until 3 out in the bottom of the ninth. Or after if it’s an extra inning game. I also didn’t see it live - I had a gig that night and had to get score updates on my phone. Denis left after his set to watch - the bastard.

DS: What do you tell people when they ask you for advice on starting a career in comedy?
SH: Shut up and do it. There's no “I'm thinking about it.” It doesn't hurt to try it. And the stage is not for every body. If you're a great writer but can't think on your feet, you won't be a good comic. If you can think on your feet but can't write, you won't be a good comic. Comics are a combination actor, writer, and improver, and if you aren't all three, just be what you are. Also, you will not be famous tomorrow. For every laugh you get, there’s a thousand other guys getting bigger laughs than you. Check your ego at the door, prepare for 5-10 years of struggle, and get up on stage already.

DS: Why do you think Jews are so successful in comedy?
SH: Humor is honored in the Jewish tradition, all the way back to the Rabbi Baal Shem Tov. Rabbis usually insert jokes into sermons - certainly way more often than priests.

DS: Jon Stewart or Bill O’Reilly?
SH: Definitely Jon Stewart. Unless the question is “Which one would you like to get skull fucked by fire ants.” Then definitely Bill O'Reilly."

DS: Jack Benny or Groucho Marx?
SH: Groucho. Jack Benny was funny for his time, but Groucho's stuff endures.

DS: Thanks for joining the Kentucky Democrat. Have a happy Chanukah. Is there anything you would like to plug before leaving?
 SH:  I have a new CD coming out in the next few weeks, recorded live in Louisville. We just mastered it and we're sending it off today. Stay tuned. And Happy Hanukkah back atcha.

Back to Nashville! Kentucky Wildcats to face Florida State in Music City Bowl

It's official! The University of Kentucky Wildcats have accepted a bid to play Florida State in this year's Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl presented by Bridgestone.

The University of Kentucky football team will be spending its New Year’s Eve bowling in Nashville.

The Wildcats are headed to the Music City Bowl for the second consecutive season and will face Florida State on Monday, December 31 at 4 p.m. at LP Field.

UK finished the regular season at 7-5. Kentucky beat Clemson 28-20 in last year’s Music City Bowl.

Florida State is coached by the legendary Bobby Bowden, who is the winningest coach in Division I-A football. Bowden’s 20 bowl wins are two shy of the bowl record, and he led the Seminoles to its 25th consecutive bowl last season.

Bowden has won two national championships at FSU (1993 and 1999) and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame last December.

The Seminoles also finished the regular season at 7-5. They were 4-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference league play.

Tickets are now on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets and at ticketmaster.com. Fans can also call the Music City Bowl office at 615-743-3130 for more information or to purchase packages.

RIP: Tommy Kron and Ralph Beard

It is a sad day for myself and Big Blue Nation as we mourn the passings of both Ralph Beard and Tommy Kron.

UK baseball signings

The University of Kentucky Wildcats baseball team has signed 16 new players including:

Five players ranked in the high school top-50 by Baseball America
Two Aflac All-America game participants
Two Team USA Junior Olympic Team invitations
Three first-team All-Americans
Participation in 13 major high school showcases (Perfect Game National, Area Code Games, East Coast Professional Showcase)
One high school state player of the year as a junior
Six high school all-state honorees

Here's a little bit more:

After the most successful two-year run in the 103-year history of the UK baseball program, Kentucky head coach John Cohen has announced the signing of 16 of the top prospects in amateur baseball, including five of the top-50 high school players in the nation.

“This is by far the most talented group we’ve brought in during the early signing period and it might be one of the best in the country,” said Cohen, UK’s fifth-year head coach. “A handful of these kids could have chosen virtually any school in the nation and they chose Kentucky because they are excited about what we are doing here and about the type of people we have in our program.”

“We are losing a significant amount of at-bats and innings after the upcoming 2008 season and it was important to sign a group that could step in immediately and have success in the best conference in college baseball, and we did just that.”

Highlighting the group are five of the top high school players in the nation, as ranked by Baseball America. Alex Meyer, a 6-foot-7 right-hander from Greensburg (Ind.) High School, tops the list, ranking fifth in the listing of the top-100 high school prospects.

Meyer was ranked as the No. 2 prospect by Baseball America at Perfect Game’s National Showcase in Cincinnati. A member of the Indiana Bulls travel team over the summer, Meyer played in the East Coast Professional Showcase in Lakeland, Fla. in August, in addition to playing in the Aflac All-America game in San Diego, Calif.

“Alex has tremendous upside – he has a great arm, he’s athletic, and he has a frame that can easily handle another 40 pounds,” Cohen said. “We expect big things from him during his career at Kentucky.”

I look forward to the great future of baseball at UK.

Exclusive Interview with The Daily Show's Rob Kutner

Danielle Solzman: Thanks for joining the Kentucky Democrat today. You're on strike at the moment. How is that going for you?

Rob Kutner: Very strange. Believe it or not, the past three weeks I've been so much busier than at work. Between the mandatory picketlines, I've been working on a number of campaigns to try and get this resolved. It really is like a political race, except we know it has to be won now, or the studios can wait us out and we could face a much longer strike.

DS: What is a day in the life of a writer for The Daily Show like?
RK: A hazy memory right now. :)

It's surprisingly businesslike. We work 9-6. We come in the mornings and watch a few packages of video footage from the AP wire service, decide which stories are the most Headline-worthy, then some people go off and write those, others work on the Jon-and-Correspondent dialogues (or "Chats"), and others take on whatever free-floating assignments are around (field pieces, special correspondent pieces like Lewis Black and Demetri Martin). You almost never know from day to day what you're going to be working on.

DS: A few years ago, there was talk of a Draft Jon Stewart for President campaign. Was it all a cover-up for Colbert's failed campaign?
RK: I can't tell you, b/c the NSA might be monitoring these e-mails.

DS: When did you decide to become a comedy writer and why did you make that decision?
RK: When I was in college, one day I realized that everything I was doing extracurricularly was comedy-related: editor of the humor magazine, founding member of the improv troupe, writer for the musical-theater group. Then, my friend's brother got a job writing for the Simpsons and I was like, "Wait, you can get paid for this?"

DS: While I'm asking about comedy, what's the percentage of Daily Show writers with a stand-up or improv background?
RK: Actually, probably the minority. A few of us go up now and then, but largely, we come from different writing worlds (journalism, Web humor, other TV shows, etc.). But our correspondents come out of improv: UCB or Second City

DS: So, um, what's the fourth male lead of Death to Smoochie like? Is his acting that bad?
RK: Seeing as how I would like to have a job to come back to if this thing ever gets resolved, I'm leaving this blank.

DS: If the strike does last till early 2008, how are we supposed to get our news for Indecision 2008?
RK: Fortunately, there's still a lot of good, entertaining blogs out there -- mostly what we read when looking for stories. I'm a big fan of andrew sullivan, wonkette, josh marshall's talking points memo, and mediabistro.

DS: Over the past few years, people tell me that they got their news from Jon Stewart. Now we are getting it from Nikki Finke at Deadline Hollywood Daily. Is that how the writers feel?
RK: Pretty much. No one seems to have the inside scoop faster or "insider" than she, and also she mostly attempts to straddle the middle.

DS: Have you gotten to know your fellow writers better while on the picket lines and have you met any big-names from years past like Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks or Woody Allen? Or are they not part of the WGA-East?
RK: Absolutely. In fact, this has been maybe the silver lining of the whole thing. We NY writers didn't really know each other at all before, and now we're much closer. I have gotten to spend some quality time with Seth Meyers, for instance, a terrific guy who's been out there everyday at the pickets. And yes, a few comedy idols: I met veteran SNL writer Alan Zweibel and Nat'l Lampoon founding member (and "Ian" the manager in Spinal Tap) Tony Hendra. Also Gilbert Gottfried and Robin Williams have been out with us. Obviously, the picketers in LA get a much better range and depth of celebs (not to mention weather). grrr!

DS: How did the Not The Daily Show video on YouTube come about?
RK: We saw the video put out by the writers and actors from The Office ("The Office is Closed"), and saw how quick, low-tech, but still sharp, funny and on-point it was. And we were like, "Why can't we do that?" So we set about constructing a Daily Show story by e-mail, which was actually kind of fun. The actual video was shot on the picket line at Battery Park by Eric Drysdale, TCR writer otherwise known as "Bobby."

DS: For my readers that are not familiar with why the writers are striking, can you explain?
RK: Sure. Two main issues: DVD and New Media. When you buy a DVD, know how much the writer gets? 4 cents. We're asking for 8, as that deal dates back to the 80s when the studios implored us to not ask for much money until home video became proven business, then they'd make it up to us. They never did.

Now we're concerned they're trying to pull the same game with New Media. As your readers may be aware, the future of movie and TV distribution is shifting over to digital media (iTunes, cell phones, sites like ABC.com where you can watch full episodes of shows). Even though all of that is just burgeoning, the studios are already making money off the new platforms. We're asking for a modest 2.5% of whatever revenues they make off our work when shown digitally, the same re-use fee that's been in effect for TV and radio for decades.

Their opening/closing offer was "0." We felt we were at an impasse, so 90% of us voted to strike (and we never agree on anything, so that tells you something).

Hopefully, the new talks beginning will start off in a more deal making fashion this time around.

DS: Why do you think it is that so many Jewish people chose comedy or comedy writing for their profession?
RK: I think it's a combination of hyperverbality, our distance from the mainstream culture that lets us observe it, and the idea in our genes that everything could be taken away from us at any moment (hence, no attachment to sacred cows or institutions)

DS: I usually ask those that I interview to choose between Jon Stewart or Bill O'Reilly but seeing as how you write for Jon Stewart, I'll try something different here...Jack Benny or Groucho Marx?
RK: Give me a minute... I'm thinking.

DS: Have you ever collaborated with Judd Apatow in the past. If you haven't, would you like to?
RK: No I haven't. But I absolutely would like to.

DS: What are the odds of President Bush ever appearing on The Daily Show before January 20, 2009?
RK: They seem infinitesimal, but on the other hand, this guy has shown a penchant for doing whatever he feels like, and maybe as he's in the final waning days, he'll be like "What the hell?"

DS: Now, if it's called The Daily Show, why is it not on seven days a week and only four? Did I miss the memo and the fourth day is actually longer than 24 hours?
RK: I'm not really sure, but I believe it has something to do with dog years. And possibly Halley's Comet.

DS: What do you tell people when they say they want to go into comedy?
RK: Make sure there's nothing else you'd be just as happy doing first. It's really really hard breaking in, and there are so many talented (and untalented) people clamoring for every opening,

It could be a long road. It took me five years to get my first break, and although I have no regrets, that's pretty average.

DS: The media has pretty much said Clinton will be the nominee for President. Has The Daily Show jumped on the bandwagon or will Stephen decide to run in all 50 states and become the dark horse?
RK: We try to stay as far away from bandwagons as we can. We'd much rather stand back and mock everyone else jumping on board. Although some of those wagon-groupies... quite enticing.

DS: When does the coup to overthrow Jon take place? Or are the bloggers making that up?
RK: You really are trying to get me fired so I can come and blog for you full time, aren't you?

DS: Is the writing room similar to that of Caesar's Hour, which is arguably the smartest room since Thomas Jefferson dined alone at the White House?
RK: We don't have the same kind of traditional 'room' that you'd find on a sitcom, as we do some work individually, in pairs, or in smaller groups. That said, our morning meetings are pretty raucous, fairly unfocused, and extremely un-PC. Pretty much everyone there is a comic genius and it's equally exhilarating and intimidating to just try and keep up.

DS: Thanks for joining us. Before you go, is there anything you would like to plug?
RK: Yes, I'd like to urge fans of our shows, other scripted TV shows, and just those who support creative people being paid for their work to help make our case to the studios to join up with fellow fans who are taking action, at www.fans4writers.com and http://community.livejournal.com/wga_supporters/108254.html.

All joking aside, we are very concerned about who we're up against -- so a strong show of support from the public (sooner rather than later!) might be the critical factor that pushes the studios to give us a fair deal.

Catching up on news...

It's been a while since I've blogged about non-strike news.

Here's a tidbit about the upcoming December movie from Judd Apatow, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

John C. Reilly gives voice to 50 years' worth of popular music in Columbia's "Walk Hard," which opens Dec. 21. His tour de force performance as the Johnny Cash-like Dewey Cox was the subject of an afternoon panel with writer-producer Judd Apatow, director Jake Kasdan and the film's songwriting team.

"Before we'd even begun writing, Judd and I almost immediately said it should be John," Kasdan said. "It's a well-known secret that he's an amazing singer and the kind of actor who might play someone for their entire life in a biopic. It's a level of acting that you just wouldn't expect in this kind of movie."

On the Columbia soundtrack, due Dec. 4, Reilly sings all 15 songs, which were penned by such names as Marshall Crenshaw, Van Dyke Parks, Dan Bern and Mike Viola. Sony's Vollack said an expanded edition of the album with 15 additional tracks will be available on iTunes.

"He covers a lot of different genres and a lot of different kinds of singing," Kasdan said. "He was the other major voice in this writing development process of getting the songs together and then making them sound right coming out of his mouth."

Among the songs previewed during the panel was "Let's Duet," which Cox sings in the film with backing vocalist Darlene Madison (Jenna Fischer). "As soon as we heard that phrase, "In my dreams you're blowing me ... some kisses,' we knew we'd found our duet," Kasdan said.

"Walk Hard" features cameos from artists including Eddie Vedder, Jack White of the White Stripes and Ghostface Killah, which Apatow said helped "to create a credible world." Apatow even wrote some lyrics with Ghostface, which he describes as "as uncomfortable a moment as you could imagine for me. But he was very cool and was not at all offended when I asked if we could get the word 'shiv' in there."

Apatow recently spoke about the writers' strike. Longtime writer Larry Gelbart also commented on the strike.

How about an Oscar nomination for Steve Carell's performance in Dan in Real Life? After his great performance in Evan Almighty, I'd say he deserves it!

A Thanksgiving Message - 2007 Edition

May you have a safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving.

On this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my family and friends.

I am thankful for promising Democratic leaders in Jonathan Miller, Steve Beshear, Daniel Mongiardo, Ben Chandler, Crit Luallen, Jack Conway, Steve Gold, John Yarmuth, Howard Dean, etc.

I am thankful for a party that works for the working class.

I am thankful for my great-grandparents getting out of Europe and Russia before the war started.

I am thankful for my public school education, although the state has a lot of work to do.

I am thankful to those of you who have forgiven me for doing that which will not be mentioned.

I am thankful for our troops serving us overseas even if I disagree with why we went over there in the first except for Afghanistan which was justified.

I am thankful to be living in a free country which allows the freedom of religion.

I am thankful for the Jewish comedians of the vaudeville and Borscht Belt eras for paving the way for comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Jon Stewart.

I am thankful for President Bush for providing so much comedic material even though I only have just over a year to perfect my act.

I am thankful for the members of the Writers Guild of America fighting for the residuals for current and future members.

I am thankful that shows like Heroes, The Daily Show, Late Night with Conan, The Tonight Show, The Late Show, Saturday Night Live, The Office, and The Colbert Report were approved by the networks so that I have television to enjoy.

I am thankful for the writing room of Caesar's Hour, considered to be the smartest and funniest room since Thomas Jefferson dined alone at the White House.

A Marxist take on the strike

Irv Brecher does not recieve any residuals for screenplays prior to 1960

Saturday Night Live - The Mighty Pencil

This one has Will Forte and the very hilarious Kristen Wiig! It's about the Pencils to Media Moguls campaign

Mitch McConnell's approval ratings

Mitch McConnell's approval ratings came out this week. Forty-four percent approve of him. When Ernie Fletcher heard this news, he smiled.

Did you hear about this Jim Gooch guy? A state representative from Kentucky recently held a panel on global warming but refused to invite former Vice President Al Gore. That's like holding a drinking panel and not inviting Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan!

Did you hear this one today? The Louisville Metro Council is holding hearings on 86-64. I'd like to 86 their 86-64 plan. What's next, 86-65?!?

No joke...FOX employee spent half an hour here

And they were probably paid with the money earned from new media revenue or maybe your magazine subscription. Or maybe they just wanted to watch a Jon Stewart video. No actually, it was the Boycott MySpace posting.

Don't these people have real work to do?

Colbert Report writers chime in

Official Myspace Boycott

A lot of musicians, comedians, and filmmakers use MySpace to promote themselves. A lot of them also usually go on talk shows, but have been refusing to make the rounds anywhere that they would cross a picket line. How am I any different if I proclaim my support for the writers, yet log in and use this site, which is owned by one of the moguls that the writers are currently striking against?

So until the strike is over, I will not be using MySpace, and I encourage you to join the boycott, whether you're an entertainer who uses MySpace to promote themselves, or a viewer who supports the writers. Here's how.

1). Download this photo

2). Upload it onto your MySpace profile and make it your default pic.

3). Repost this message as a bulletin and a blog to explain why you support the writers' strike, and how your boycott of MySpace reflects that.

4). Contact MySpace customer service with the following message:

I am boycotting MySpace until its corporate parent, News Corporation, plays its part in settling the Writers Guild of America strike and fairly compensates writers for residuals from internet broadcasts of films and television series. I will not log in, I will not give MySpace.com page hits for its advertisers, and I will encourage all my friends, family, colleagues, and favorite musicians, comedians, writers, and filmmakers to join the boycott.

5). Post the same message on your page, in profile editor, and in your away message, in miscellaneous settings.

6). Log out of MySpace.com. And don't come back until the strike is over!

7). If you have Facebook or Livejournal accounts, if you frequent a bulletin board, or even if you just send out an e-mail to everyone in your address book, let everyone know about the boycott!

Well, it's not The Daily Show

They have to be productive, somehow, right?

SUPPORT THE WGA!

Dark Tuesday

No blogging from me on Tuesday.

All I ask is that you PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION IN SUPPORT OF THE WGA.

I am showing solidarity with several entertainment blogs and I assume individual bloggers as well. See Nikki Finke for more at DHD.

The Late Show

You can see what The Late Show writers are up to at LateShowWritersOnStrike.Com

I wish that they were back at work but the studios apparently don' want that.

Oh, really?

Oy, do I hate corporate bullcrap, and by that, you know exactly what I mean...

Jason Bateman rocks!

Enough said

To my usual readers

Expect a full-out focus on the current writers' strike until it ends. Presidential and Kentucky politics can take a back seat right now. Yes, I am still following my beloved University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball and football teams but there won't be that much blogging on that.

It's up to us to get our favorite shows back in production and to prevent more crew from being laid off.

Contact the studios. Email them or call them. Tell them that the writers should be getting a fair share of the pie.

CBS Television
51 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019

CBS Paramount Television
5555 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038

King World
2401 Colorado Avenue, Suite 110
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Jeff Zucker
NBC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112

WARNER BROTHERS
4000 Warner Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91522
(818) 954-6000

1325 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 3240
New York, NY 10019
(818) 954-6000

FOX
10201 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 369-1000

1211 Avenue of the Americas, Third Floor
New York, NY 10036
(212) 852-7000

SONY
10202 West Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 244-4000

550 Madison Avenue, Eighth Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 833-8833

CBS
7800 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 575-2345

4024 Radford Ave.
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 847-6000

ABC
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
(818) 460-7777

77 West 66th Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 456-7777

Sunset/Gower Studios
1438 North Gower Street
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 467-1001

PARAMOUNT
5555 Melrose Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90038
(323) 956-5000

NBC / Universal
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
(818) 777-1000

30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
(212) 664-4444

NBC Burbank
3400 West Olive Avenue
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 840-4444

We're bringing the fight to them and we will prevail!

Steve Bodow writes on the strike

Steve Bodow, the head writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, wrote about why he went from the punch lines to the picket lines.

'Daily Show' writer: Why I went from punch lines to the picket line
By STEVE BODOW
Be Our Guest

As you may have heard, Hollywood writers (including about 2,400 of us in New York) are on strike. Yep, all of us: the serious ones, the funny ones, the soap opera ones with whose help Todd Manning discovered that not only had his biological son survived, but he was living as Marcie and Michael McBain's adopted boy Tommy.

We've stopped working because our contract with the big studios ended last week, and though we've been negotiating in good faith with them, we're having a pretty fundamental disagreement about how we should make our livings in the years ahead.

It's all about the Internet. Maybe you've heard of it. We think we should get paid for when our work appears or is sold online - just like we do when it's on the tube or in theaters. We're up against conglomerates such as CBS, Disney and Fox, which have, after much searching in their souls (sic), determined they'd prefer not to pay us.

Now, we writer types are notoriously bad with numbers. Our skills lie more in the deft crafting of well-turned phrases - "neat-o word-packet makery," we call it.

But even we can tell that, for the right to rebroadcast our work online, "zilch" is a crummy offer. And that's why Wednesday you were watching Jay and Dave and Conan and Jon crack weeks-old jokes. And it's why we were marching around waving placards outside the "Law & Order" production studios.

If you've never had the pleasure of picketing, there's a lot to learn from life on the line. For instance:

1. Doughnuts: not a food group. That queasy feeling on day three of picketing? It's not from a lack of resolve. It's from the all-Dunkin' diet. Hopefully, today will be better - we'll be marching outside Time Warner, i.e., upstairs from Whole Foods.

2. Political pandering can be cool. Earlier this week, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Hillary Clinton spoke out in support of the Writers Guild. Normally that's the kind of toothless sucking up I'd spend my time satirizing. But this time they're pandering to me - very different. In fact, I heard all three candidates have pledged to return all donations from Hollywood studio execs unless the strike is resolved. (Correction: they're totally not doing this in a million years.)

3. If you want to win a labor dispute, bring duct tape. Sure, you can fasten your oaktag placards to your cardboard tube with staples. But you'll be restapling it in about 20 minutes. Not a huge revelation, but remember, we're not used to making anything with our hands.

Which brings up another point. Our picket days have all been unusually windy. Coincidence? Or meteorological conspiracy at the behest of a corporate entertainment cabal with access to billions in special-effects machinery? Tuesday we lost several good people to a 30-mph gust. We're not the most physically robust specimens, is what I'm saying.

4. Hollywood producers can be greedy. The real shocker in all this, I know. The execs have argued time and again that television content appearing online is strictly promotional, and under Guild rules, they don't have to pay for promotional uses of our work.

So I checked this out - I'm nothing if not a fair-minded word-packet maker - and it was true! I watched last week's episode of "The Office" over at NBC.com, and it was promotional. It was promoting BlackBerrys and Fidelity Investments and Clorox bleach. Nice of NBC to give those ads away for free ...

What's that? NBC got paid for those ads? Just like if they ran on TV? It's the same over on the very fine new Web site for "The Daily Show," by the way: unlimited clips, sponsored in part by - get this - TiVo. I assume that's some ad-sales guy's idea of irony.

Is it absurd to see writers picketing? Perhaps. We realize things could be worse. We could be lawyers, and this could be Pakistan, and then we'd have to get dressed up in those black suits and throw rocks. But picketing writers are less absurd than writers not getting a cent for their work.

We create something people value. It is our livelihood. We take it seriously. It's being threatened. And we're going to fight until we get what we need.

Normally I'd end with a joke, but sorry - I'm on strike.

The Daily Show's Rob Kutner chimes in

Quote of the Day

"It's not delivery, it's Mongiardo!"
--Jeff and Gary in the Morning, WRKA, November 9, 2007

Cooler heads must prevail

If you've been living in a cave, then you probably did not know that the writers of your favorite television shows are on strike. They are not working right now. They are picketing. They are picketing because the studios will not pay them residuals for what has become to be known as new media.

I encourage you to stop downloading television shows on iTunes since the writers do not see a dime from those sales.

And that show you missed last night? Don't watch it on the network website as no one but the studios see a dime from that either.

That, my friends, is why we are looking at an extended hiatus of our favorite shows this winter.

This strike could last into the springtime, maybe even the summer.

It's all because the studios don't think that new media is the way of the future and they don't want the writers, cast, or crew to see a single penny from online viewings.

In 1988, the writers struck for five months and the fall season was delayed until December of that year.

You might be thinking that people in Hollywood are rich. That is not the case. Most people depend on residuals just to pay rent...in their apartment. Not their house but their apartment. It's not just the writers affected by this but cast and crew members, too. Production assistants in LA struggle if they don't have work.

You might be asking yourself, why am I even doing this.

I care. I'm a future WGA member and I want a good deal in place when I break into that industry. I'm an aspiring actor-comedian-screenwriter and I support these people and show my solidarity with them. They deserve it.

As long as writers, cast, and crew don't see a dime, I won't be watching a single show online and I sure as heck won't be watching that reality crap that they are on television because that's just an easy way out in order to make a profit since those shows are so inexpensive to produce.

Show your support for the WGA and sign this petition. They need to know that you support them in this fight against the studios.

Why the writers must prevail...

The writers must prevail in this fight. My future depends on it.

The studios are corporate assholes that don't give a f**k about anyone but themselves, kinda like the fatcats that deal with the oil industry. You know?

On strike, shut it down, Hollywood's a union town!

I will not watch any alternative programming at all during the extended rerun season and you want to know why, because those programs are inexpensive to produce since they don't pay writers or have several cast members that get paid so much per episode.

And I know that there are Republicans out there that must be pro-union when it comes to this.

2008 Candidates

This is the listing of names that I have heard so far of folks considering running in 2008 for Congress or Senate. I will update this as we get close to the filing deadline.

2008 Congressional
KY1
Heather Ryan (Fired executive director of the Maiden Alley Cinema)

KY2
David Boswell (State Senator, former Agricultural commissioner)
Reid Haire (Daviess County Judge/Executive)

KY3
John Yarmuth (Incumbent)

KY4
Michael Kelley (Physician)

KY5
As of 2:50 on filing day, no Democrat has filed.

KY6
Ben Chander (Incumbent)

2008 US Senate
Andrew Horne (Iraq veteran)
Greg Fischer (CEO of Dant Clayton)
Bruce Lunsford (2003 and 2007 gubernatorial candidate, Brown Administration Commerce Cabinet secretary, Vencor co-founder, thoroughbred owner and film producer)
Michael Cassaro (Physician)
David L. Williams (Retiree & Frequent Candidate)
Kenneth Stepp (2006 KY5 candidate)
James E. Rice (Amazon.com employee)
David Wylie (former U.S. Postal Service employee)

2010 US Senate
Ben Chandler

That's a wrap (the elections, that is)

In spring of 2004, I transferred closer to home because of the guilt that I had due to being away from Kentucky during a statewide election.

This year, I don't have the guilt that I did in 2004.

The era of Republican control, for the most part, in this state is over. The GOP is survived by Trey Grayson and Richie Farmer.

Next fall, Mitch McConnell goes down to an unnamed candidate as of the moment.

Greg Stumbo will make his decision known by the middle of December.

In the meanwhile, I offer my congratulations to Steve Beshear, Jack Conway, Crit Luallen, and Todd Hollenbach.

On Strike...

The Writers Guild of America has made their decision to go on strike. I fully support their decision to do so. Much of this has to do with the studios not caving in when it comes to DVD sales and revenue generated by new media.

The current residual rate is based off of VHS and DVD sales. Right now, 80 percent of sales go towards manufacturing and distribution. Of the remaining 20 percent, writers only get 1.2 percent or three cents for every $20 sold.

The WGA would like it to be 40% of the sale, rather than 20%.

South Carolina bans Colbert from ballot

In a move detrimental to the state of the Democratic Party, the South Carolina Democratic Party's Executive Council voted 13-3 to make sure that Stephen Colbert will not be placed on the ballot.

Colbert, who poses as a conservative talk-show host on the Comedy Central cable network, filed to get on the ballot as a Democratic candidate in his native South Carolina. His campaign paid a $2,500 filing fee just before the noon deadline, said state Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler.

However, after about 40 minutes of discussion by top party officials, the executive council voted 13-3 to keep the host of "The Colbert Report" off the ballot.

"He's really trying to use South Carolina Democrats as suckers so he can further a comedy routine," said Waring Howe, a member of the executive council. And Colbert "serves to detract from the serious candidates on the ballot."

But state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter told the committee Colbert could showcase the state "in a way that none of the other candidates on the ballot have been able to do."

"I think you're taking this a little too seriously," she said.

When Colbert announced his candidacy on his show last month, he said he would run only in this key primary state. He said then he planned to run as a Democrat and a Republican — so he could lose twice.

What a shame indeed.

Writer's strike looming

The writer's strike is looming and if they can't agree to a deal by midnight tonight, a meeting will be set for tomorrow for members of the WGA with regards to a strike. It will affect all shows, especially the late night programming that is usually aired daily. Most of those will be forced into reruns until the strike ends.

Starting the season right...

Coach Joe B. Hall speaks...

Steve Beshear will put Kentucky first

Steve Beshear has pledged that we will always know where he stands and that he will always put Kentucky first.

Honest Change

Just over another week! I am posting a video daily until the election!

Coach Joe B. Hall for Senate?

Coach Joe B. Hall for Senate? This draft campaign just got underway. How do you feel about it?

MItch McConnell is vulnerable

The following is from a diary posted on Kos:

A new Herald-Leader/Action News 36 Election Poll is out and McConnell continues to slip. Among the worst news for McConnell was that 46 percent of respondents disapproved of his performance compared to 45 percent who said they like what he’s done — the first time an independent media poll has shown the senator with a higher percentage of disapproval.

McConnell’s numbers are slipping and it’s because of national security and national defense, Lt. Col. Andrew Horne is the best candidate to counter the Republican’s arguments on the war in Iraq. Who else can stand with our Democratic Presidential candidates on the issues other than Lt. Col. Andrew Horne?

This Poll is very encouraging for Lt. Col. Horne; a person who has run only one race is now within 11% of McConnell. This shows that the people of Kentucky are ready for change. Also encouraging is Horne’s low disapproval rating of only 9% compared to a 46% disapproval for McConnell’s. In fact, Horne has the lowest disapproval of any candidate mentioned in the poll this shows Horne is in great position to Ditch Mitch.

This election is a huge, tough, hard fight. This fight is for people like Lt. Col. Andrew Horne with a national profile, people like Andrew who give the Democratic response to President Bush, people like Andrew who have been to Iraq and have seen the situation on the ground.

We need a new face in Kentucky politics one without baggage, not the career politicians who runs for office every year. We need a unifying candidate for all Democrats across the state. We need Lt. Col. Andrew Horne.

It should be noted that while I admire and respect Col. Horne, I have not endorsed anyone in the 2008 Senate race.

St. Louis Cardinals

Add the St. Louis Cardinals Fan application.

BR 302

The following bill, which has been prefiled, must be passed.

BR 302 - Representative Mary Lou Marzian (10/09/07)
A JOINT RESOLUTION relating to the inclusion of the Holocaust in the school curriculum.
Direct the commissioner of education to convene a work group to review Holocaust curricula developed by other states and review the Kentucky core content to determine places where the study of the Holocaust may be included; require the work group to develop a curriculum guide that teachers may use to teach the history of the Holocaust; require the work group to submit a final report and curriculum guide to the commissioner of education and the Kentucky Board of Education no later than March 1, 2009; require the changes to the Kentucky core content be disseminated to local schools to be incorporated into the school curriculum for the 2009-2010 school year; specify that the Department of Education shall disseminate the final report and the curriculum guide to local districts and schools prior to the 2009-2010 school year.

I expect unanimous passage of this bill.

The Ann Coulter Song

You have to watch this video by Leah Kauffman!

The Armenien resolution controversy and more

Several Jewish groups are not a fan of dividing Jerusalem as Olmert wants to do.

Ministers of the current Israeli government publicly have floated their intention to divide and surrender the Jewish People’s capital city and discard our holiest site -- the Temple Mount," reads a letter to groups invited to join a conference call Thursday on the issue of Jerusalem. "We are forming umbrella organizations in the United States and in Israel as well as an international coordinating committee. We have a mandate, an agenda and clear principles."

The letter was signed by Jeffrey Ballabon, an Orthodox Jewish activist in Republican Party politics and Rabbi Pesach Lerner, the chief executive of the National Council of Young Israel. Among the organizations participating or likely to participate are Young Israel, the Orthodox Union, and the Zionist Organization of America, as well as some pro-settler groups.

The congressional resolution to label what the Turkish people did to the Armeniens is drawing a lot of conflicted feelings.

And, despite the overwhelming support of Jewish committee members for the resolution, nowhere was the anguish more palpable than in the comments of some of these lawmakers, as they struggled to balance their Holocaust-related sensitivity to the issue of recognizing genocide and concern for maintaining strong ties with Turkey, a friendly pro-American pro-Israeli Muslim beacon in a hostile neighborhood.

Weighing additionally in the considerations of the Jewish members was an 11th hour plea from Turkey's Jewish community, which fears a rise of anti-Semitism should the resolution pass. Plus, in recent weeks, Turkish spokesmen have noted the outspoken role of some Jews and Jewish organizations in the campaign to pass the resolution and have suggested that relations with Israel could be affected, although Israel has been supportive of Turkish calls to resolve the issue through an international commission.

"This has been tough for me," said U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.), the chairman of the committee's Middle East subcommittee, when announcing his vote in favor of the resolution. "I'm a big fan and supporter of Turkey."

Ackerman looked across at four nonagerian and centenarian survivors of the genocide who had flown in for the hearing -- two from his district. His New York Democratic colleague, Eliot Engel, also contemplated the women as he announced his position: "With a heavy heart, I will vote for this resolution."

The measure is losing support in Congress though and yet even more support.

In lighter news, Evan Bayh will campaign in Iowa for Sen. Clinton. Could Bayh perhaps be named as the next VP candidate?

The French supporting Israel? Wow, there's a shock there. It's a positive change.

Israeli officials quoted Sarkozy as telling Olmert that he considers Israel's creation a "miracle" of the 20th century. Though the French president had a Jewish grandfather, he described his pro-Israel sentiments as less a matter of ancestry and more an acknowledgment of the country's role in introducing democracy to the Middle East.

During his meeting with Olmert, Sarkozy reiterated his strenuous opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and said Israel's security is a "red line" that must not be crossed. But France has yet to support the idea of preventive military action as a last resort for blocking Tehran's atomic ambitions.

In a further departure from France's traditional equivocation on Middle East affairs, Sarkozy came out against the Palestinians' demand that their refugees get a "right of return" to land now in Israel. According to Israeli officials, Sarkozy said it is unreasonable for Palestinians to expect statehood in the West Bank and Gaza Strip while wanting their compatriots resettled in the neighboring Jewish state.

Talkin' Illinois Politics...

Since I plan to move to Chicago sometime late next year, I figure I should start looking at some of the campaigns up there...no, I am not renaming the blog anytime soon.

This is despicable. How do you expect to get elected to Congress after saying Israel should negotiate with Hamas? That's not a person I want in Congress. Doesn't anyone remember the rule: You don't negotiate with terrorists. It's an unwritten rule but it's still a rule.

At a Daily Kos meeting last Thursday, Seals told audience members that Israel should negotiate with Hamas (reminding you that Hamas is a recognized terrorist organization that even Fatah wants nothing to do with because of all the damage they're doing to Palestinians).

I'm surprised that someone like Jeffrey Schoenberg would support Dan Seals after such comments were made.

State Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg, a prominent Illinois Democrat and Jewish leader, is not thrilled with the development.

"I've known Jay Footlik for a number of years. He did a fine job as the Jewish liaison in the Clinton White House, but Dan Seals has clearly demonstrated an ability to make a strong case for his legislative agenda, including his unshakable support for the state of Israel."

Seals lost a campaign in 2006 and he had a campaign message against the likes of Bush and Hastert. Clearly, it did not play well in Illinois' 10th congressional district or he would have been elected and not lost by 7% of the vote.

Under President Bill Clinton, Jay Footlik became one of the architects of Clinton's policy towards the Middle East. By far, it's the closet thing we have had to a peace plan between Israel and the Palestinians. Footlik seeks a firm deadline for withdrawing from Iraq. He believes in universal healthcare. He would like to see an America free from dependence on foreign oil.

Mark Kirk is the type of incumbent congressman who will use his money to turn Dan Seals into someone with the reputation of Cynthia McKinney--and believe me, their policy towards the Middle East are very similar. This proves to show even more that Dan Seals cannot win in IL-10.

Congressional campaign rematches almost always turn out the same except that things are different when it's a presidential election year. After a while the rematches get old. We have the ninth district in Indiana as a prime example...I'm pretty sure it's the 9th that has featured a match-up between Baron Hill and Mike Sodrel for the past few campaigns.

Please sign!

NJDC Petition to encourage the media to stop inviting Ann Coulter to appear on their programming.

Ann Coulter

Ann Coulter can fricking go to the frickin' eternal barbeque for all anyone frickin' cares about her. Seriously, why is still allowed to fricking spout off to the media?

The fact that she can spew hurtful things on national television is a disgrace!

Where does she get off on spouting anti-Semitic garbage? Sure, she's a media whore but the fact that no member of the GOP has condemned her and the fact that they have stayed silent means that they have "silently" endorsed what she said.

The ADL has condemned her.

The Anti-Defamation League strongly condemns Ann Coulter for her anti-Semitic comment that Christians "want Jews to be perfected" in an interview with Donny Deutsch on CNBC's "The Big Idea." During her October 8 appearance, Coulter suggested that Jews should convert, adding that, "we just want Jews to be perfected, as they say. … That's what Christianity is."

Ann Coulter may be a political pundit but she clearly knows very little about religious theology and interfaith issues. Coulter's remarks are outrageous, offensive and a throwback to the centuries-old teaching of contempt for Jews and Judaism. The notion that Jews are religiously inferior or imperfect because they do not accept Christian beliefs was the basis for 2,000 years of church-based anti-Semitism. While she is entitled to her beliefs, using mainstream media to espouse the idea that Judaism needs to be replaced with Christianity and that each individual Jew is somehow deficient and needs to be "perfected," is rank Christian supersessionism and has been rejected by the Catholic Church and the vast majority of mainstream Christian denominations.

Clearly, Ann Coulter needs a wake-up call about the power of words to injure others and fuel hatred. She needs an education, too, about the roots of anti-Semitism and the shared values of Judaism and Christianity. Christians and Jews have worked tirelessly for more than 40 years to overcome the past and to promote a more tolerant and pluralistic vision for the future and especially for America.

Donny Deutsch is to be commended for his immediate and forceful denunciation of Coulter's statements, for calling her remarks personally offensive, and for rightly characterizing her suggestion that Jews are inferior to Christians as anti-Semitism.

The NJDC has condemned her and asked the media to stop inviting her on their shows.

Today, the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) called on mainstream media outlets to stop inviting Ann Coulter as a guest commentator/pundit and strongly condemned recent comments that Jews should be “perfected” by accepting the New Testament and that America would be better off if Judaism were “thrown away” and all Americans were Christian.

“While Ann Coulter has freedom of speech, news outlets should exercise their freedom to use better judgment,” said NJDC Executive Director Ira N. Forman. “Just as media outlets don’t invite those who believe that Martians walk the earth to frequently comment on science stories, it’s time they stop inviting Ann Coulter to comment on politics.”

Enough is enough! Ann Coulter is anti-American is she continues to spew such garbarge from her mouth. And the media should be boycotted if she is allowed to do so on TV.

Official Birthday Thread

You know what to do...

Other news...

I've been so busy as of late that I really haven't had the greatest time in the world to blog.

A few weeks back, Senators Evan Bayh and Hillary Clinton held a joint news conference.

Citing Hillary Clinton's devotion to the middle class, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) endorsed Hillary Clinton for president. "Hillary Clinton is a seasoned, experienced leader who will be ready to lead this country on Day One," Bayh said during a news conference with Clinton.

Bayh, who previously was in the running for the Democratic nomination, is from a Republican-leaning state. Clinton said his endorsement "underscores my commitment for running a national campaign." She compared her presidential run to her previous Senate races, where she campaigned all over the state, including "red New York."

"I believed that I was running to be the Senator for the entire state,” Clinton said, “not a segment of the state, not a set of constituencies in the sate, but the entire state. I feel the very same way about my campaign for the presidency."

The Clintons and Bayhs have a long history together, dating back almost 20 years to when Bill Clinton and Evan Bayh served as governors of Arkansas and Indiana. Now Hillary Clinton and Bayh both serve on the Senate Arms Services Committee and have traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan together.

The question that remains is, does Bayh have vice presidential aspirations? When a reporter asked Clinton and Bayh if the Indiana senator would be a good VP candidate, Bayh appeared as eager as the reporters to hear Clinton's answer. He nervously said to the reporters, "thank you all for coming," and then allowed Clinton to respond.

"It goes without saying that his record of public service is extraordinary," Clinton replied, "and I have the highest personal and professional regard for him."

Democrats around the state are rallying for the slate of candidates.

My 2008 Presidential Endorsement

As many of you know, I was one of many grassroots leaders of Americans for Bayh from late 2004 to sometime in 2006 when Sen. Bayh ended his run for president in December 2006.

I've taken the last several months figuring out the rest of the Democratic field and I finally made an endorsement a few days ago, which I have since emailed to my political contacts. This was made tough by candidates dropping out left and right. I think it is a safe bet right now that Al Gore is not running.

As one knows, I am Jewish and very passionate about issues relating to Israel so I have been busy (during free time) with regards to finding out where the candidates stand on Israel and other relevant issues. On domestic issues, I am in agreement with much of the field but foreign policy is an entirely different story. I have read through the position papers and Sen. Clinton's is one that I find myself in high agreement with.

I have come to the decision of makinng my endorsement in support New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to be the next President of the United States. I have no reservations about this decision and I hope that she names Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh as her choice for VP. I am pleased and honored to join a long list of names such as Bayh, O'Malley, McGovern, and Clark to name a few.

When all is said and done, she will win the Democratic nomination and the presidency.

Saturday Night Live - Iran So Far Digital Short Lyrics

To start the season off, in the September 29th season premiere episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Lebron James with musical guest Kanye West, we got this latest gem from Andy Samberg featuring Adam Levine, Fred Armisen, and a cameo appearance by Jake Gyllenhall.

Andy Samberg:
They say true love comes only once in a lifetime
And even though we're from opposite ends of the earth
My heart tells me you're the one for me

Mahmoud, I remember when it started, saw you on the news
You hating gays, I was eating food
I was feeling you, and even though I disagree with almost everything you said
You ain't wrong to me, so strong to me, you belong to me
Like a very hairy Jake Gyllenhaal to me
Mahmoud, make my heart beating out of my chest
my mind says no but my body says yes
You ain't no threat, the only threat I see, is the threat of you not coming home to me
Our love for each other is like when atoms collide
Can't express how I feel, and yo Adam let's ride

Adam Levine:
And Iran, Iran so far away is your home, but in my heart you'll stay

Andy Samberg:
He ran, for the president of Iran
We ran together to a tropical island
My man, Mahmoud is known for violence
Smiling, if he can still do it then I can
They call you weasel, they say your methods are medieval
You can play the Jews, I can be your Jim Caviezel

S&M, listening when we're wrestlin'
You can be the port that I put my vessel in
So I try to be concieving but you can still see me
With your sleepy brown eyes, butter pecan thighs
And your hairy butt... Yeah.

Adam Levine:
And Iran, Iran so far away
Come home, and in my arms you'll stay
Used to look at the stars and dream
Around the world the same stars we're seeing
And a twinkle in your eyes Mahmoud

Andy Samberg:
Talk smooth to me, in the night sky
With you pants high waisted, damn so fly
We can take a trip to the animal zoo
And laugh at all the funny things that animals do
Like Eugene, you got me straight trippin' boo
Hope you look at my eyes and say I'm trippin' too
You say Iran don't have a bomb but they already do
You should know by now, it's you

You crazy for this one Mahmoud
So give us another Holocaust all you want
But you can't deny that there's something between us
I know you say there's no gays in Iran
But you're in New York now baby
So time to stop hiding and start living, ONE!

George McGovern endorses Hillary Clinton

Former Senator and 1972 Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern has endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton.

George McGovern, the former South Dakota senator and presidential candidate, endorsed Hillary Clinton in Iowa City on Saturday.

"I think that if we can elect her president, she'll be a greater president even than her brilliant husband," McGovern told the crowd gathered in a hot barn at the Johnson County Democrats' annual barbeque.

Organizers estimated 1,800 people showed up for the event, calling it the biggest crowd in the barbeque's history and noting they had to run out twice for more food.

McGovern talked about the challenges Clinton and her then-boyfriend Bill Clinton faced when they helped run his organization in Texas during his 1972 presidential campaign, predicting he would have an easier time selling her in Iowa than she did selling him in Texas.

He praised Sens. John Edwards and Barack Obama and said he hoped to live to see America elect a black president, but said, "We have an old rule of courtesy in the United States: Ladies first."

Clinton thanked McGovern and went on to deliver a stump speech that touched on health care, rebuilding the middle class and investing in clean energy, before ending with a direct appeal to Iowans to support her in the caucuses.

"Take a hard look at my candidacy. Judge me for who I am. See what I stand for and what I have done for 35 years," Clinton told the audience, many of whom sat on bleachers or folding chairs fanning themselves. "Let's start right here in Iowa and go all the way to the White House."

Seth Rogen hosts Saturday Night Live

The very talented actor-comedian Seth Rogen hosted this past Saturday's episode of Saturday Night Live with musical guest spoon. While none of Rogen's crew with Judd Apatow cameoed, we were treated to a guest appearance of the original Weekend Update anchor, Chevy Chase.

Seth Rogen is everywhere these days. Chances are you saw him this past summer in Knocked Up or SuperBad. If you didn't, you likely saw him in Anchorman, The 40 Year Old Virgin, or the two short-lived sitcoms, Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared.

As far as Spoon goes, what band would name themselves after an eating utensil?

Now, the sketch by sketch analysis.

Cold Open: Kevin Federline (Andy Samberg) brags about his parenting skills after he gained custody of his two children from Britney Spears. He goes on to offer parenting advice despite his being considered a slacker.

Monologue: Seth Rogen wrote his monologue in the mid 90's after he wrote SuperBad with Evan Goldberg. It was very entertaining especially since he lost a friend to the war on North America from the Zorcons. Steven Seagal (Bill Hader) cameos.

Veritas Ultrasound HD (Commercial): The usual post-monologue commercial. Taking off on all the commercials for HD televisions and satelite, here comes the first HD monitor for ultrasounds. No more grainy black and white images on that monitor. Now, with a sponsorship from the NFL, you can find out what your unborn child will look like in a Colts helmet!

2007 National Douchebag Championships: Jason Sudeikis hosts this championship featuring Bill Hader, Seth, and Will Forte. The judges include Sharon Osbourne (Amy Poehler), Gene Simmons (Fred Armisen), and last year's winner, Andy Samberg.

MacGruber: As is the case with the past few times, MacGruber comes in three's and just once, can we get Richard Dean Anderson to cameo?!? In the first one, while being trapped in an abandoned silver mine, his lack of hair is a priority rather than saving himself. Also in this first short are Maya Rudolph and Seth Rogen.

Jeremy and Sasha: Bill Hader and Amy Poehler play the parents of two very creepy children (Seth, Kristen Wiig). At the end of the sketch, Will Forte jumps out the window from the 15th floor.

MacGruber: Take 2. In a deserted tower, the new girlfriend (Kristen Wiig) is introduced to the family but so much for their life.

Fred Thompson '08: Fred Thompson (Darrell Hammond) talks about his low poll numbers and his interest in running in 2008. Sam Waterston (Fred Armisen) gives a stump speech using all the terms from the long running television series, Law and Order. As a satirical note, the ad was created by Dick Wolf.

MacGruber: For this third take, MacGruber is too focused on plastic surgery to his face than worry about the deserted monestary.

Spoon sings "The Underdog."

Weekend Update: This was a bit too long and what was up with "Anita Hill? I need a vacation." Lou Dobbs (Darrell Hammond) talks about the American and Canadian dollar and then rips all the Canadians involved with Saturday Night Live. Later, Willie Randolph (Kenan Thompson) and Omar Minaya (Fred Armisen) try and explain the collapse of the New York Mets. There was another "Really?" bit about Larry Craig. But the highlight came with Chevy Chase making his first appearance in quite some time and he started out by saying "I'm still, and you're still not." Chase talked about both the Democratic and Republican candidates for president in 2008.

America's First Colonists: I can't help but think that Seth Rogen had something to do with this sketch since it was about the failure of one of America's first colonies, Stonetown, due to everyone getting high on weed.

Rowlf & The Swedish Chef: The chef (Andy Samberg) convinves Rowlf (Seth Rogen) to not play "The Rainbow Connection." As such, they jam to Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea" instead.

Spoon sings "You Got Your Cherry Bomb."

Mad Joe Dixon: Seth and Maya star in this sketch which was very poorly done, and the final sketch is almost always that type of case.

Indiana Senator Evan Bayh to back New York Senator Hillary Clinton

The Politico reports:
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) will endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) on Monday, Democratic sources tell Politico.com.

Bayh is a moderate Democrat whose blessing could help Clinton pick up votes in Republican states.

Indiana is among the most reliably Republican states — “the reddest of the red,” as one Democratic official put it. The Hoosier State went 57 percent for George W. Bush in 2000 and 60 percent for President Bush’s reelection in 2004.

Clinton’s campaign is clearly thrilled to be getting the nod.

“Hillary Clinton to Receive Major National Endorsement on Monday,” said a release from the campaign this evening. The news conference is at 1 p.m. at a hotel on Capitol Hill.

Bayh, a former chair of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, had sought the Democratic nomination himself but abandoned his quest in December in the face of the strong machines being built by Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

At the time, Bayh said in a statement: “The odds were always going to be very long for a relatively unknown candidate like myself, a little bit like David and Goliath.”

Bayh, who had already been oft-discussed as a promising potential vice presidential pick for Clinton, had held back on endorsing her in part because of doubts about her popularity in Indiana, Democratic sources said.

His endorsement could help undermine the argument of her rivals for the Democratic nomination that she would not be electable in a national contest.

Clinton and Bayh serve together on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

In January, they appeared at a news conference together after a congressional-delegation visit to armed forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Clinton, noting that she and Bayh sat next to each other on Armed Services, announced then that she and Bayh were sending a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates “reflecting what we heard from our military commanders: they asked for additional troops.”

In March, Clinton was endorsed by former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who had ended his Democratic presidential campaign a month before. Earlier this month, she was endorsed by retired four-star Army Gen. Wesley Clark, who ran for the Democratic nomination in 2004 and considered doing so again this year.

In other news....

Rabbis are currently pessimistic about Jewish life here in the states.

Indiana Senator Evan Bayh feels very encouraged by what he has heard about Michael B. Mukasey. Here's even more background on Mukasey.

Jack Conway is leading Stan Lee in the Attorney General race. He's not to be confused with the Stan Lee that created Spider-Man and has a better looking mustache.

Steve Beshear plans to stay aggressive.

Can somebody say, BOO YA! Walt and Mearsheimer have been overwhelmingly rejected by reviewers of their book.

Another reason for the UN to be reformed: They allow a known criminal with terrorist ties to speak before them. Speaking of which, this is via Stand with Us:

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's forthcoming visit to the US this coming Monday, September 24. It is shocking to think that he will not only be addressing the United Nations in New York but he will also be speaking at Columbia University, spewing his hatred of America, Israel and Jews.

Since he will be allowed to make his voice heard, our voices must be louder.

RALLY RALLY RALLY
Multiple organizations are mobilizing two different rallies to challenge this insanity. One at Columbia University: W 116th street and Broadway (across from Lerner Hall) Monday, September 24th 1 - 3 p.m. Busses will be coming from Brooklyn College, Queens College, Rutgers University and more.

The Second Rally will take place at NOON at 2nd Ave. and 47th street, Subways 4, 5, 6 or 7 to grand central station... TWELVE NOON-- rain or shine.

BUT IMPORTANT:
We are aware that the Columbia event MAY GET CANCELED but as of now, Friday afternoon in New York, it is still scheduled to happen. STAY TUNED to the home page at www.standwithus.com, and we will give you an update if it is canceled. AND...IF IT GETS CANCELED we need you to go to the United Nations location for the rally organized by the Conference of Presidents and supported by multiple organizations including StandWithUs... and will be held at 2nd Ave. and 47th street, Subways 4, 5, 6 or 7 to grand central station... TWELVE NOON-- rain or shine.

BUSSING:
Busses will leave Rutgers at 11:00 Busses will leave Queens and Brooklyn Colleges 11:30 Exact pick up points to be announced on Sunday, check back with StandWithUs.com home page for updates before Monday.

Bring friends... this is a time to stand up together and condemn the face of evil, and any platform that would allow evil to promote itself.

Darn you Fletcher!

I don't want to see and hear another Ernie Fletcher advertisement on television or radio talking about The Ten Commandments. Not just because of WHICH VERSION would be posted but because Governor Ernie Fletcher broke The Ten Commandments while in office. It's very unethical what the governor is doing and I for one cannot tolerate this any longer.

I'll be so glad when this election is over. And how does Kentucky lose if we get casinos or expanded gaming in Kentucky? Last I checked, we lost millions in revenue to other states because we don't have expanded gaming in Kentucky.

This governor just doesn't get it. For every Republican friend I have, there's a very high ratio that are voting for the Beshear/Mongiardo ticket.

Fletcher will be nailed in the stake. He's already lost Northern Kentucky. He'll lose Jefferson County. He'll lose Central Kentucky. Throw a fork in him already, he's done.

But to this governor, I say again, stop exploiting religious documents that you have broken for your own gain. What's the one I'm thinking of?

Do not bear false witness against your neighbor. This includes lying under oath, which we know he did because he gave a BLANKET PARDON!!!

So stop it already!

Kentucky 42, Arkansas 29

What a great game that was to watch!

To make the day even sweeter following the very solemn holiday of Yom Kippur, the Syracuse Orangemen beat the Louisville Cardinals with a score of 38-25.

DVD Recommendations

2007 Emmy Award Winners

My predicted picks are bolded in the event that they won.

Outstanding Comedy Series: "30 Rock" (2006)
Outstanding Drama Series: "The Sopranos" (1999)
Outstanding Made for Television Movie: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) (TV)
Outstanding Miniseries: Broken Trail (2006) (TV)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Ricky Gervais, "Extras" (2005)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: James Spader, "Boston Legal" (2004)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Robert Duvall, Broken Trail (2006) (TV)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: America Ferrera, "Ugly Betty" (2006)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Sally Field, "Brothers & Sisters" (2006)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Helen Mirren, Prime Suspect: The Final Act (2006) (TV)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Jeremy Piven, "Entourage" (2004)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Terry O'Quinn, "Lost" (2004)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Thomas Haden Church, Broken Trail (2006) (TV)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Jaime Pressly, "My Name Is Earl" (2005)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Katherine Heigl, "Grey's Anatomy" (2005)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Judy Davis, "The Starter Wife" (2007) (mini)
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series: "The Daily Show" (1996)
Outstanding Writing for Variety, Music Or Comedy Series: "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993)
Outstanding Reality Competition Program: "The Amazing Race" (2001)
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special: Tony Bennett: An American Classic (2006) (TV)
Individual Performance, Variety or Music Program: Tony Bennett, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC.
Directing, Drama Series: "The Sopranos: Kennedy and Heidi," HBO.
Directing, Comedy Series: "Ugly Betty: Pilot," ABC.
Directing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: "Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre)," PBS
Directing, Variety, Music or Comedy Program: "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC.
Writing for a Drama Series: "The Sopranos: Made in America," HBO.
Writing, Comedy Series: "The Office: Gay Witch Hunt," NBC.
Writing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: "Prime Suspect: The Final Act," PBS

Catching up on news...

Rosh Hashanah had me offline over the past weekend, not that there's anything wrong with that.

Tracy Webster became the final assistant coach to be named to Billy Gillispie's staff at the University of Kentucky. As a plus, Kentucky got a verbal from Mason County standout Darius Miller.

This was expected: Norman Finkelstein has resigned.

NJDC Executive Director Ira Forman had a piece in The Jewish Week taking aim at Professors Stephen Walt (of Harvard) and John Mearsheimer (of University of Chicago). Read this article when you can. AISH.com even has a rebuttal to what Walt and Mearsheimer wrote. Here's what JTA has to say about it...

Several rabbis have said that Senator Clinton is the one candidate most supportive of Israel.

Until sundown, it's the Fast of Gedalia.

Representative Melvin Henley of Murray became the latest member to switch parties. The House now has a 63-37 majority.

Kentucky 40, Louisville 34

And what a way to start the new year of 5768!

Remembering 9/11

A poem written by Jack Buck

Since this nation was founded under God
More than 200 years ago

We've been the bastion of freedom...

The light that keeps the free world aglow.
We do not covet the possessions of others,
We are blessed with the bounty we share.

We have rushed to help other nations...
Anything...anytime...anywhere

War is just not our nature...we won't start
But we will end the fight.
If we are involved we shall be resolved to
Protect what we know is right.

We have been challenged by a cowardly foe
Who strikes and then hides from our view.

With one voice we say, "There's no choice
Today, there is only one thing to do"

Everyone is saying the same thing
And praying that we end these senseless
Moments we are living.

As our fathers did before, we shall win
This unwanted war

And our children will enjoy the future,
We'll be giving.


Written by Jack Buck
September 14, 2001

Exclusive Interview with Andrew Horne

Danielle Solzman: First, thank you for joining the Kentucky Democrat for an interview today. First and foremost, thank you for your service to the country. How are things going and how busy has the statewide elections kept you?
Andrew Horne: Thanks for taking interest Danielle.

With my law practice, family commitments and my work with VoteVets.org, Steph and I are very busy but we still have made time for a few political events. Now that we are past Labor Day and VoteVets is gearing up for the Petraus Report I am sure it will pick up even more.

DS: When did you decide to run for Congress in 2006 and what factored into that decision?
AH: I decided very late in December 2005 because I knew we needed a change in DC and could no longer tolerate the rubber stamp Northup was holding for Bush. At the time no one had shown an interest in getting in and the general talk on the street was that she was not beatable. I knew we could take her out because if someone like me was disgusted with her and Bush I thought there would be a lot more other people out there.

DS: During the primary campaign, you had a lot of national press, national bloggers, and the endorsements of Col. Hackett and Gen. Clark. Knowing what you do now, would you have done anything different?
AH: While in hindsight I might have tweaked here and there I can honesty say there is very little I would have done differently. I had the full encouragement of my family, great passionate supporters, and the support of a growing Vets movement. Steph and I actually enjoyed the process right up to the last day of the primary.

DS: You're a military veteran so how do you feel the Iraq situation needs to be handled. With our armed forces stretched so thin, what should happen in the event that America does something about Iran?
AH: There are no good answers in regard to Iraq only a list of bad ones. However, we must get beyond partisanship and think first of our children's future. Whatever we do we must have as solid a consensus as possible. The recommendations of the Iraq Study Group are a good place to start the debate, but the ultimate long term goal must be to remove all of our troops from Iraq. Because of the way we entered Iraq and have handled it since, any residual U.S. presence will be seen as an occupation by most Iraqis and the majority of the Arab world. In that vein, it will appear coerced if we were "asked" by the Iraqi government to keep troops in Iraq while we still had thousands of combat troops there. There should be no discussions concerning permanent bases in Iraq.

Concerning your question about Iran, in every matter concerning relations between nations the use of military force should only be a last resort. We must pursue every diplomatic and economic option. In the case of Iran we quite frankly have very few military options. We do not have the manpower to fight another ground war and the effect of air power alone is very limited - just look at "shock and awe." Under these circumstances we must avoid a shooting war at all costs because our choices are either a small interdiction to address the support to the Iraqi Shi'ia Militias, which is akin to stirring-up a hornet's nest, or an attempt at a knock out blow. Neither option would do much for our standing in the world and would not be in our long term National Security interests.

DS: Did you ever outreach to bloggers on Kos or MyDD during your campaign? Also, do you have any thoughts on the way that blogs have revolutionized politics altogether?
AH: During the campaign I never personally initiated contact directly with any bloggers. I had some contact me and I know my supporters were very active in that regard.

I was and still am impressed with the way the blogs can disseminate information in a way that mobilizes people. However, there are blogs where the participants are simply talking but not getting involved. The important synergy is between the blogs and grass roots that can turn words into passion and then into action. A good example is the Iraq Summer Campaign. The blogs disseminated information across the state and the nation so that a small group of people in Berea, KY knew they were not alone in opposing the war and challenging McConnell to bring a responsible end to it. I have no doubt that some of those 100 people in Berea were there because they heard about 800 people in Louisville, KY or 400 in Boise, Idaho, or one of the other 40+ locations across the nation. That would not have happened without the blogs. The people in Berea did not hear about other events through the traditional media and would not have heard or seen the passion without YouTube and the blogs. I believe this trend will only continue as people who participated in the Iraq Summer Campaign and other similar causes adapt these tactics to their own agenda. I would call it non-linear activism.

DS: Do you think the state party is heading in the right direction?
AH: I am not a party insider so I do not know a lot of details. I am hearing generally positive comments and the very few negative I hear are easily attributable to growing pains and the stresses associated with changing the party in the middle of a very important election. So yes I think the party is heading generally in the right direction.

DS: What about your thoughts on the image of the national party given the perception it gets in the Commonwealth?
AH: The image of the National Democratic Party in Kentucky is a product of the good job [their perception] that the Republican Party has done in assassinating the character of the Party. However, I believe the dishonesty and partisanship shown by the National Republican Party over the last few years has finally worn out its welcome and most Kentuckians are once again identifying with the Democrats.

DS: Do you think it's possible that the Democrats will make even more gains in the US Senate next year?
AH: I believe it is not only possible but probable.

DS: There's a lot of talk about the race to unseat Mitch McConnell. Do you think that it is it too early to start focusing on that race in 2008 or should we be focusing on the statewide elections first?
AH: It is too early to focus on the McConnell 08 race; however, it cannot be ignored completely. Taking him out will not be a superficial or shallow effort and will require considerable "shaping of the battlefield", which the continuing chatter contributes to. Also, the statewide elections will have a significant impact on the McConnell race and should not be seen as entirely separate but as part of a synergistic Campaign to change the state from Red to Blue. That said, we should not put the cart before the horse and allow a distraction with McConnell to bleed energy from the November elections.

DS: I know 2008 is a few months away but are any potential candidates that you see having a good chance to reach the White House?
AH: At this point any of the three democratic front runners could get the nomination and have a very decent shot at winning the White House. However, it is still very early, for example, at this point in the last presidential election cycle Lieberman was the Democratic front runner.

DS: Also, dealing with 2008, do you think that the press starts these elections insanely early?
AH: It seems very early to me, however, they have to sell papers [ads] and if the people were not interested they would not cover it.

DS: Jon Stewart or Bill O'Reilly?
AH: Stewart.

DS: Who would star in The Andrew Horne Story?
AH: I have no earthly idea who would even want to watch "The Andrew Horne Story" let alone play the starring role. But if I have to answer - Stephen Colbert.

DS: On that note, what is your stance on kittens and woodchippers?
AH: A match made in heaven

DS: What three issues in your opinion do you think should be priorities for the Senate and the House?
AH: #1 Healthcare, #2 Responsible National Security Policy #3 [a tie] Education/Sustainable Energy Policy.

DS: What was it like to work with Paul Hackett? Is he done in politics for good or is there a chance that he'll get back into the political arena?
AH: Paul is a friend and fellow Marine so my perspective will be different than most. But in essence he is wide open - what you see is what to get.

Steph and I spent some time with him and his wife Susie this weekend and I think he is going to take a break from politics over the short term.

DS: I know that you are busy being an attorney and all, but given the name recognition you got during the campaign, would you be willing to say that 2006 was not the end of your entrance into the political arena? I guess what I am trying to say is: will you be on the ballot in 2008 or anytime in the near future? Maybe against Mitch McConnell?
AH: If the right race comes around I am not done in politics. Regarding 2008 against McConnell, the encouragement I am getting is humbling but that is a race that should not be taken on lightly. Because of the amount and breadth of support I am getting I will take a very serious look at it, but in the end I will base my decision on what is best for my family and whether my candidacy will be in the interests of the people.

DS: Thanks again for joining the Kentucky Democrat for this interview and
keep fighting the good fight.

We're in the era of Scarlett....

Obama recently outreached to outreached to Jews in New York.

We're in a new era now, apparently it's all about Scarlett.

Ringo Starr is coming out with a new album.

Evan Bayh recently played host to several job fairs around the state of Indiana.

It's nice knowing that France is willing to be friends again.

Don't forget to thank labor. They were a huge support in the 1930s and 1940s.

Ryan Braun has a good chance at becoming the first Jew to win Rookie of the Year.

This article on TJ Miller is a MUST-READ.

Monday's Labor Day picnic drew a huge crowd.

Democratic Party candidates such as Jack Conway and Daniel Mongiardo were there -- running respectively for attorney general and lieutenant governor -- and many in the crowd sported Democratic candidates' names on badges and stickers.

And there were several booths promoting causes and circulating petitions in favor of such things as a universal health plan and against such things as Wal-Mart's labor practices.

Louisville firefighters passed out stickers seeking public support for their contract position in contentious negotiations with the city.

Members of United Steelworkers Local 1693 circulated a petition seeking help with its contract talks with Ohio Valley Aluminum, which had led to a 10-week strike that ended last month.

The Family Sitcom

Whatever happened to the classic family sitcom? They seem like a rare breed these days. The good ones are no longer on the air due to bad ratings or they had a long run and decided it was time to go. But there's no excuse for networks like ABC to throw According to Jim to the midseason. I shouldn't have to resort to channels like TBS (The Bill Engvall Show) or yes, even Disney, to watch a quality family sitcom.

It's a shame that network television is eventually going to get rid of the family sitcom. If it isn't, then they better work on picking up some decent shows in the future and not bailing out on them.