Happy Birthdays, Dinah and Michael!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kinda crazy that this continues to happen. First, I find out that two of my favorite actresses, Rosalind Russell and Angelina Jolie, share the same birthday. Now, I find out that two of my favorite singers, Dinah Washington and Michael Jackson, also share the same b-day. Two very unique, beautiful voices who had lives with many highs and lows. Two unique souls who left too soon.

To be frank, I mainly heard Dinah during those K-Tel commercials during the 80s. And then there was that drag queen on Sally Jesse Raphael who sang To Sir With Love in the voices of a dozen of fantastic female singers like Doris Day, Eartha Kitt, and of course, Dinah. Finally, when I hit college, a Tower Records moved in a block away from campus and I finally bought one of her CDs - finally, I found my favorite female voice. Sure, Ella's voice had this elegance and grace about it, but there was something about Dinah. It could be sharp, tarty, soulful and kinda bell-like. Plus, I read up on her life in the liner notes - too much drama and upheaval, largely due to the desire to 'fit the part'. At any rate, I just loved her voice and the fact that she was so scrappy in life.



And as for Michael, some of his life shadows Dinah, although I never heard of him pulling a weapon out on anyone. He had similar hang ups about his looks, but had the financial means and the upgraded technologies to do something about it. Sadly, his improvements alienated some and was used against him at every turn. Nevertheless, I love him - the everchanging looks, the dancing, the smile, and of course, that voice. A beautiful, bell-like quality. Michael was just moving, whether he was on top of the world or in the midst of a crisis and he remains that way, even though he is gone.

Now... can you see how it could happen?

Many MJ haters have declared that his settlement was his admission. They always lament that no innocent man would give up and settle. And while many MJ supporters are quick to bring up J.C. Penney, the previous entity the Arvisos attempted to milk, there are many other non-MJ related cases when an innocent does the unthinkable and give up.

Kevin Fox was one such innocent.

First of all, I have to thank what(who)ever for waking me up at 3am to see this story. Sure, it was on ABC World News Now, a program that I loathe; however, the anchors, Vinita Nair and Jeremy Hubbard, didn't do the legwork, therefore the segment about Riley Fox was compelling and, dare I say, accurate. The segment, taken from Nightline, detailed the case of Riley Fox, a missing 3 year old, who was later found raped, bound, and drowned in a local creek.

The story detailed how the local police zeroed in on Riley's father, Kevin Fox, since there was no evidence of forced entry and the delay in contacting 911 about the little girl's disappearance. On that basis, the cops proceeded to interrogate Kevin, without legal counsel present, for 14 hours, showing him graphic pictures of his murdered child. After the relentless pressure, Kevin confessed; the local authorities told the FBI to not conduct DNA tests using Kevin's samples. So, the cops had their man and to them, their case was closed; however, Kevin's attorney, Kathleen Zellner took the initiative and had Kevin's samples tested independent of the authorities, an action that resulted in Kevin being excluded as a suspect in Riley's death. This happened in 2005.

Fast forward to 2010 - the local authorities received a tip regarding an incarcerated sex offender, Scott Eby. The local authorities paid Eby a prison visit, took a sample - 24 hours later, his DNA was determined to be a match to the DNA found on Riley, resulting in an immediate confession.

Noticably, many bloggers and TV anchors are asking how could an innocent person confess to a crime? And apparently, the local authorities now want to talk to Kevin Fox and ask him how that could happen, an action that should've happened as soon as he was released from jail. An action that could've begun the process of examining their local law enforcement interrogation techniques. But personally, I think that this pompous, grandiose attempt to 'get answers' is wholly unnecessary. I feel that this goes along with the concept that the greedy can't accurately gauge generosity. The cynical or pessimists of the world can't gauge innocence either. Especially if the innocent is perceived as being 'too' innocent. And sadly, the innocent can be naive enough to think that the helpers of the world can see them clearly. They really can't - their lens is cloudy.

Now, if a father can admit to raping, bounding, and drowning his little daughter just based on 14 hours of interrogation and implications that he would be repeatedly raped in prison if he didn't take the authorities' deal, shouldn't considerations be taken in MJ's 1993 case? After all, MJ was strip searched and photographed, interrogated by authorities who weren't above taking their case to the press via 'leaks' over a longer period of time. And while the settlement was designed to prevent the family from continuing to 'leak' things to the press, it didn't prevent them from participating in the investigations and litigation of the case; however, the evidence didn't yield anything that could result in a successful prosecution. Michael Jackson's financial status was pretty stable before the allegations when Evan Chandler tried to get money for his (cow)pie in the sky screenplays; Michael's financial status was as strong after the accusation, but he allowed his insurance company to cut the check. What was the difference between the initial inquiry and the payment from the insurance company?

PRESSURE!!!!!!!!!!!

And given that he wasn't just getting it from law enforcement, but from many different directions in the press, can anyone blame him for making the pressure stop?

And BTW... the FBI. Apparently, the FBI allowed the local authorities to dictate their level of involvement in the investigation in the Illinois case. Apparently, this was the case with the Santa Barbara investigation. Whereas the Illinois wanted the minimum amount of participation in the Fox investigation, a decision that was detrimental to the Fox family and the greater community, Santa Barbara wanted the FBI to hit MJ with all that they got. The result? No evidence of kiddie porn on MJ's numerous computers and the ruling out of numerous dubious witnesses who courted the press in the past with contradictory pantload stories.

So how can anyone congratulate the FBI on great detective work on the Fox case and yet, unilaterally dismiss their decidedly more thorough work in the MJ molestation case? Actually, this is directed specifically at Diane Dimond, the b*tch who accused the FBI of whitewashing the MJ investigations just because their findings didn't support the pantload she and her ilk spewed for nearly 20 years?

Needless to say, I hope that the Kevin Fox debacle is an isolated incident, but I truly doubt that it is. Hell, Hollywood is fond of purchasing film rights to stories like this, and yet, they sat on their hands as this particular drama befell Michael in 1993 and 2005. And they still remain pretty tight-lipped about this. Mind you, Kevin Fox didn't carry the baggage of being a Black, effeminate, enigmatic superstar who continually put fellow performers to shame, whether it was onstage, in development/brainstorming meeting, or giving away millions upon millions of dollars without blinking an eye.

Kevin Fox was just a young White father watching his kids while his wife was away. Just a citizen of a small town that easily believed the local law enforcement instead of looking at Kevin and his circumstances. It's easy to play armchair quarterback regarding how one would react to being falsely accused of a crime, especially when one thinks that they are living a life in which such questions or allegations would never be lodged.

I'm willing to bet that Kevin and his family thought the same thing - once upon a time.

Small potatas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again... I know that it is wrong for me to still be enjoying this, but the Klein/Pfeiffer c*ck-up is still amusing to me. Apparently, the threats continue, which isn't altogether funny. Personally, I hoped that it would've ended by now. But then again, Klein continue to fan the flames by engaging in an online sparring match with elderly Liz Taylor, so you have to wonder whether, deep down, he's getting off on the negative attention.

He probably was, but sadly, I think the charge he initially got is waning and fortunately, the FBI is helping to throw cold water on Klein. Apparently, they declined to get involved in the death threats being directed at Klein and his 'pal' Pfeiffer and referred them to the local authorities. That must've stung Klein - yet another federal agency telling him thanks, but no thanks. First, it was the FDA ever so subtly telling Klein to move along, since his input about prescription drugs and facial injectibles were not needed at all, and now, the FBI saying that his death threats case isn't all that serious.

Hee... hee...

Because dude thinks that he is an elite. That being a dermatologist to the stars should count for something, because, after all, Michael Jackson was the subject of a death threat and the FBI went to work. Of course, some haters would cite that the loon included President Bush Sr. in the threats, but the fact remains that some serious surveillance were conducted at Havenhurst. And frankly, it looks like Klein couldn't even get an escort to his car. And, then there was that terrorist threat at the 2005 trial. But maybe Klein can keep his fingers crossed that at his trial, the feds will have to intervene for the sake of public safety. Oh, wait... the possibility that the heavy tongued douchebag being locked up and all of his medical licenses pulled permanently could and should protect public safety.

Paraphrasing a line from Frasier, the FBI pricked the balloon of Klein's pomposity. I hope the trend continues.

But not the threats. There should be better ways to apply pressure on Klein and Pfeiffer for their flagrant attempt at disparaging the dead for a fee. Having them hire bodyguards could drain them financially, but stopping entertainment outlets from funding pantloads and various forms of lying should be the priority.

But for now, Klein and Pfeiffer being declared 'small potatas' by a federal agency on an international stage, will do.

Do we REALLY need doormen for bandwagons?

Thank you, NPR.

For some reason, doormen have been on my mind. Then I thought back on an NPR program that discussed the impending New York City doormen strike. An 'expert' was explaining why the residents of some of NYC's most elite hotels and apartments are shaking in their boots, stating that these men provide information, a sense of familiarity, and community to those who depend on them.

Which brings me to Betty White's recent triumph on Saturday Night Live. Naturally, there are those who need to be contrary about her appearance. (Un)fortunately, I came in contact with two morons who had to play devil's advocate. One was a local morning DJ on a country music station; the other was Access Hollywood's Billy Bush. Their consensus - the SNL writers used Betty White's age to counterpoint their risque dialogue.

A giant Marty Feldman eye roll on that one.

Obviously, these two got on the bandwagon a bit too prematurely. Because if they were paying attention pre-Screen Actors Guild speech, they would've known about the following Betty had due to her using her age, her candy-faced appearance, and gentle voice when tackling risque and touchy material. Clearly, none of these dudes knew about her recurrent appearances on Craig Ferguson, where she wasn't above pretending to be a drug mule. Or the Funny or Die video where she used very salty language when interacting with Ryan Reynolds on The Proposal set. Or when she was a murderess on Boston Legal. Or her recurrent role on Bold and the Beautiful as Stephanie Forrester's glacial, battleax mother.

And let's go back to The Golden Girls, shall we? Instead of watching the edited syndication versions of the show, why not rent the unedited original episodes on DVD. Golden Girls was my Saturday night viewing as a kid and I marvel at how many jokes and sexual references went over my head. And yes, some of the juicy stuff was uttered by Betty White.

And in case these douchebags missed The Golden Girls, they could go back to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Yes, there were a variety of women on the show - prim working woman Mary; wisecracking working woman Rhoda; insecure homemaker Phyllis; innocent chronic girlfriend Georgette. But then came Sue Ann Nivens - steely, hotsy totsy working woman. With the other women, there was some rivalry (Phyllis and Rhoda), but there was a feeling of comradeship. Sue Ann, on the other hand, was disinterested in being 'one of the girls'. She was satisfied with being the alpha female and unapologetic when she was on the prowl. Maybe Sue Ann was jealous of Mary Richards, but she never languished in that feeling. If anything, Sue Ann played harder and more ruthlessly to compensate for Mary's sweetness. And she got as much as she gave, as proven by Murray picking Sue Ann up and sitting her in a multilayer cake.

So for people to accuse SNL of taking advantage of Betty White for cheap jokes... these losers need to get a life and preferably, some context. One of the reasons why people are rooting for Betty White is because she doesn't take herself too seriously. She takes the work seriously, but never herself. People are tired of being told that people like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, etc. are funny. People saw funny on Saturday. Betty's enthusiasm, professionalism, and dare I say, chemistry with her fellow cast members were some of the reasons why people loved her on SNL. And personally, my favorite skit was the Scared Straight skit, teaming her with Keenan Thompson. There was an undeniable chemistry between these two which almost overshadowed the WIZARD OF ASS bit.

I said ALMOST.

So in closing, people shouldn't jump on bandwagons just because it's the thing to do. Know what you're in for - Betty obviously did, hence her continuing to get gigs at 88. And please... stop making this woman into America's Grandma. I don't think she's a grandma in real life, so why should she shoulder the burden of other people's perceptions and expectations, especially the lazy-brained?

Hasselbeck versus Andrews: Smugness run amok

So Elisabeth popped off at the mouth about the skimpiness of Erin Andrews' costumes on Dancing with the Stars... as if skimpiness is a new thing for the show. And per usual, the fellow women on the panel just sat there and snickered, egging her on.

Really, Elisabeth? You really think that watching Erin in skimpy costumes would've been enough for dude? Really? Because the way I remember it, dude found out which hotel she was staying at, tampered with her hotel room peepholes, taped her, in the privacy of her hotel room, and put the images online.

No, Elisabeth... skimpy costumes were not going to get it for this dude. And for that matter, why does Elisabeth continue to take on the shallower aspect of a subject instead of getting to the marrow of things? Remember... Elisabeth was the victim of threats against herself, her husband and newborn child. Maybe Elisabeth should've tried to draw a correlation between that personal event and Erin's situation, especially since Erin is still going through a separate situation along the same lines. And remember when Elisabeth was mortified that Law & Order SVU had a storyline where a character with a name similar to Elisabeth, was brutally raped and murdered? She got coddled and stroked by her fellow co-hosts, and yet, she couldn't do the same for another woman?

Therein lies the problem with the majority of the panelists on The View. They think that they reached a certain level, therefore they can't be mindful of others' situations. They think that everything is a Hot Topic subject, instead of something that's tangible and pressing to real life women. Mind you, I haven't watched The View in years - probably since Star Jones got married - but that mindset was setting in even then.

I do wonder what the ladies' take was when Sandra Bullock adopted little Louis? Was that an act of love to them or was it 'buying a child', an accusation that they readily lodge against Angelina Jolie? And for that matter, why is adoption the only process tainted with the accusation that it's a purchase versus an act of love? Isn't spending large amounts of money to create a biological child buying a child? If anything, one could argue that not only one is purchasing a child, it is also an exercise in egotism, since one is saying that they can't love a child that they can't see themselves in. And yes... this is directed to Sherri Shepherd.

For me, Elisabeth and Sherri are the biggest culprits when it comes to devaluing other women's choices. And if Elisabeth gets a chunk chomped out of her @$$ for this Erin Andrews thing, so be it. And please, public, do not fall for the tears. Some women can cry themselves out of tight spots; Elisabeth Hasselbeck shouldn't be one of them. Hell... no woman should be able to do this. It's supposed to be a new day - women should act like it.

Now this is the jam!!!!!

Arnie Klein getting death threats? Ahhh... the poor boo-boo

As a 90s young adult, the Ricki Lake Show was my lunch. Very fun show, although Ricki seemed uncomfortable and wooden at times. But sometimes when things got a bit too heated, she would say, rather unconvincingly, 'Violence is not the answer.'

Violence is not the answer... usually in the tone of a thoroughly unprepared preschool teacher.

But for some reason, Ricki's refrain is echoing in my head because apparently, Dr. Arnie Klein, the self-proclaimed 'best friend' of Michael Jackson, is getting death threats after 'outing' Michael Jackson.

'Outing' Michael Jackson? Errrr... no, since people have been trying to say that Michael Jackson was gay since his teens. So, no... that's not the reason why he's getting threats.

Klein is getting threats because he continues to lie about Michael Jackson, using the guise that he's trying to clear the air about the molestation allegations. That was the reason for the pee story. That is the reason for this story. But Fcuktard, merely going to Reflections of the Dance and various other MJ vindication sites would've been a better idea. But no... saying Michael Jackson was gay was just easier? Profitable, more like.

So I am not entirely mad at MJ fans who are threatening Klein and Fat Boy Pfeiffer, because I totally understand it. For many years, disparaging the dead has been a taboo. But, of course, with anything associated with Michael, exceptions are made. Journalists taking root on their cronies' shows, spending hours rehashing the lies that made them money years ago; journalists throwing out every single rumor out there, muddying the waters in the weeks following his death; and the worst - journalists encouraging (read: begging) every possible egg or sperm donor and surrogate to come out and stake a claim on his children when actions like this are violations of the whole reproduction/surrogacy process? And Klein, MJ's dermatologist, continually violating not only HIPAA but MJ's privacy for little more than money and screen time, because, let's face it, Klein is not an oil painting and the snap! crackle! pop! that is audible whenever he speaks is disgusting to hear. SWALLOW ALREADY, DUDE!!!! So, no, Dr. Klein's dream of being another Dr. Oz or Sanjay Gupta, or Art Ulein , or to a lesser extent, Travis Stork, will be a dream unfulfilled. A good consolation prize - being the sultan of skeeve. And Chunky is along for the ride.

So will the death threats continue? Probably, but I hope they won't since it could lead to Klein winding up on Larry King or something. Mind you, since Larry King sort of banned him from the show, hence Klein taking his message to TMZ and to any other outlet willing to shell out some cash, maybe his next recourse is to take it to HLN. But then again, maybe they have more standards than previously thought.

Anyway, I hope that MJ fans chill on the threats, but not on the pressure. Extra, Pfeiffer, Alicia Jacobs and Klein need to know that this flagrant attempt at lying about a deceased person will not stand, especially when it doesn't add to anything of importance. And their pocket books, egos and careers qualify as same.

But here's a throwback to Klein's earlier days... you know, when he was successfully passing himself off as Michael Jackson's friend. Those days are long gone.

April is over... thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!!

So far, April has been the most exhausting, emotionally draining month of 2010. Of course, the year's still young, so who knows what pantload awaits.

In real life, something very sad and tragic hit a bit too close to home. One of my neighbors was murdered by her boyfriend. Fortunately, the cops apprehended him immediately, but unfortunately, this 42 year old 'man' murdered his 22 year old girlfriend because she had the audacity to dump his @$$ after he abused her one time too many. She did the right things and yet... she's gone. Completely not fair.

But before this bad thing happened, I was blissfully happy because I ordered It's All About L.O.V.E., a self-published book about fans' Michael Jackson encounters. I ordered it on Easter Sunday, and yet... I haven't finished reading it yet. Yes, it's nearly 400 pages long, but for some reason, I feel that I need to take my time reading this. So far, some of my favorite stories involved MJ's birthdays and his late night 'shows' and talks with fans outside of his hotel windows/balconies. These stories made me smile because I had similar, late night talks with people I vague knew in college and I still prize those unexpected intimate moments, especially with people with whom I seemingly had little in common with. I smile, thinking that Michael had those moments too.

Sandra Bullock scammed the whole Hollywood community by getting on with her life instead of milking her misfortune? Now, that was an April high point. And her little Louis is absolutely adorable!

Rieille Hunter on Oprah... didn't watch.

But I did watch Todd Bridges on Oprah and I have to say, Oprah should be ashamed of herself. Demanding that he read page 68? The page in which he described his molestation? Really, Oprah? Honestly, Oprah's insistence that any molestation talk has to be graphic makes me wonder about her.

Naomi Campbell was a victim of dubious gotcha journalism... and no one blinked an eye? Hate her all you want, but if someone refuses to answer a question that wasn't germane to the reason for the interview, then you stop the particular line of questioning.

Chelsea Handler had to defend her 'audition tape' which looked remarkably like the most depressing, demoralizing sex tape since Gene Simmons. No audition is worth positioning oneself in a way that makes your breasts look like really old cow udders.

Hasta Que El Dinero Nos Separe has been pretty good. Last week, Univision showed back to back episodes of HQEDNS featuring the aftermath of Marco finding out that Alejandra and (Rafael) Medina shared a hotel room. Thanks to Claudia, who I used to like but now thinks she a mega b*tch, Alejandra's professional reputation is taking a beating and she may distance herself from Medina because of her mistaken belief that he was the one who dished the works. I fell asleep towards the end of Friday's episode, but the last part I saw was when Medina witnessed Marco, with a Mariachi band in tow, serenading Alejandra and threw down the dozen of roses ,intended for Alejandra, down in disgust. Maybe Alejandra found them?

As for Arnie Klein's current media grab... I will wait to talk on this, since I get really emotional when @$$holes harm people who can't defend themselves.

Maybe it's just me, but I think I witnessed a hat trick

HLN is slowly but surely becoming a network that I try to avoid. Last year (pre-MJ's death), I watched their primetime programs fairly regularly, although I barely remember what shows I watched back then. But then, primetime became an estrogen block: Jane Velez-Mitchell, Nancy Grace, and Joy Behar. Actually, it's more like PMS lane, but who am I to quibble.

But late last night, I was up and I caught a bit of Nancy Grace and Behar's show and marveled at how, despite their best efforts to control and manipulate their particular messages, that the home truths tumbled out. I smiled at Nancy Grace, something I haven't done in like... ever, when she was talking about the runaway mom case. She had the woman's father, a pastor, on the show, and she was so emphatic that she was sure that the woman may have ran afoul with some miscreant, since she couldn't imagine the woman abandoning her one year old daughter. Obviously, the episode was one filmed earlier last week, since we did find out that, indeed, the woman DID abandon the one year old daughter, staged a crime scene and ran off with some loser dude to Florida. So much for Nancy Grace's 'instincts'. But then again, Grace's 'instincts' are usually colored by her particular political leanings, not on sheer gut feeling. I'm armchair quarterbacking it, but even I knew that the chick was okay, and I was hardly paying attention to the story. Score one, for following one's own instinct versus some shrieking shrew's.

Next... Behar. Her Friday edition was reran last night, which happened to be a rehash of her week's highlights. She had a panel discussing various subjects like Sandra Bullock, Scott Baio and other stuff; a panel consisting of Nancy Giles, that dude who used to host TV Guide Network's TV Watercooler, and a playwright I have never heard of, but one I now want to know about. The subject was Roman Polanski and his sending a letter to France's president to give to President Obama about his long delayed (and denied) trial regarding the rape of a 13 year old girl. Naturally, Joy wanted the discussion to remain on her level - righteous indignation and general resignation - but the playwright said something that I would never forget. He essentially said that talk about the Polanski case by the media (read: yes, you, Joy Behar) is useless, because this is supposed to be between Polanski and the court of law. And my next question is 'Where were you during the Michael Jackson trial, dude?' Because that should've been said back then when it was absolutely clear that the press was trying to impede the investigation and influence the verdict.

And finally... this one didn't involve HLN or any of their anchors/rags, but it involved an everpresent guest on the show. On this morning's Today Show, Robi Ludwig was on, discussing how the whole community has to support 'mothers by choice', which made me wonder if that is the consensus of opinion within the psychiatric community. Or maybe, the psychiatric community had a 'coming to Jesus' moment after Michael Jackson's death, because as many remembered, he didn't get support from the community when he became a 'father by choice'. If anything, psychiatric buttinskys like Carole Liebermann made his attempts at parenting a talking point for her insatiable need to park her botoxed butt in front of a camera.

So the point of this post? Well, I hope that many who have been on the fence about things dictated to us by the persistent and often over presently, learned a lesson. Agendas and not necessarily bipartisan-dictated agendas, are what drives these people who are placed in a position of authority and respectability. But every once in a while, the truth escapes from the vice grip that these wenches have on it. Or in other words, trust your instincts, distrust anyone working overly hard to persuade you otherwise, and keep an eye out for anyone who play both ends against the middle.

My current YouTube fixation

A final (and woefully long overdue) farewell to En Nombre Del Amor

I hestitated commenting on the grand finale of En Nombre because I ended up being kinda disappointed by the ending. For me, the pacing and the overuse of slow motion throughout the finale grated on my nerves. However, I slowly began to appreciate En Nombre Del Amor because, at least, during the weeks leading up to the finale, there were a bunch of surprises. For example, Carlota taking a header off of her staircase. Another was Romina doing a 180 about her life and her child after she was nearly killed in a car accident. But the real clincher was watching The Young and the Restless 'resolution' to the baby Faith story - it landed with a great, big plop! It didn't have a tenth of the tension and emotionality of the Colleen death story, and Faith was a baby.

So I reexamined my initial thoughts about En Nombre Del Amor and felt a bit more satisfied, especially when I thought about the emotional highpoint of the finale: Gabriel's death.



I knew that Paloma and Emiliano would wind up together, but I certainly didn't expect Gabriel to do what Paloma should've done: look out for Paloma's happiness. Again, I don't speak Spanish, but it seemed that Gabriel truly loved Paloma, but he was hiding his health condition from her. Still, he trucked on, planning his wedding. But after Paloma and Cristobal's walk down the aisle, out steps Emiliano, via Gabriel's invitation, and Gabriel put it out there - if you're going to marry, Paloma, marry for true love. And he made her decide - and she picked Emiliano. Heartbreaking, right? Except that Gabriel had a look of peace and contentment as Paloma and Emiliano exchanged vows. GABRIEL WAS THA MAN!!!! Too bad Carlota had to c*ck up the day by trying to kill Paloma, yet again. And once again, telenovelas demonstrated their recognition and appreciation of men with pure hearts by having them die tragically. Too bad, because after what Gabriel did for Paloma, I wanted to climb all over him - it would've been a beautiful vacation for me, since the actor who portrayed Gabriel was all kinds of yummy!!



But back to Carlota. Carlota... Carlota... Carlota... certainly had a hand at killing a good time. Speaking of killing, here's a montage of Carlota's best kills. She was a very busy girl and yet, her hair was rarely out of place and her makeup was impeccable.


And finally, the very thing that attracted me to En Nombre Del Amor - the theme song. En Cambio No, as performed by Laura Pausini, is one of the best television theme songs I've heard in a long time. Mind you, I sing Hasta Que El Dinero Nos Separe at the top of my lungs. But En Cambio No is a pretty fantastic song. It reminded me of Lost in Your Eyes by Debbie Gibson... only totally awesome!!!! I am so close to buying Laura Pausini's album for this song, although I suspect that there may be some other gems on it - Pausini has some serious singing chops.



So thanks, to whomever or whatever it was that compelled me to watch En Nombre Del Amor. I regret not watching it sooner, but grateful for what I eventually ended up seeing.

The conspiracy to make people forget

No... this won't be about Michael Jackson, although it is obvious that MJ is the perpetual victim of this phenomenon.

This time, I'm talking about Diff'rent Strokes, or specifically, the show's true legacy and that of the young co-stars. I have Todd Bridges to thank for this current train of thought.

Bridges' recent appearances on HLN shows illustrated how articulate and charismatic he is. Unfortunately, the media continues to fixate on his tulmultous 20s, a period that most adults don't look back on too fondly, including me. Because of Bridges, I decided to revisit Diff'rent Strokes, specifically, the first season (on DVD). And I have to say... I loved strolling down memory lane, feeling completely impressed by Bridges, Gary Coleman and Dana Plato's energy, charisma, and consistent good work. Yes, eventually, life caught up with all of these young performers, but that shouldn't be the beginning, middle, or end of any of these performers.

And that's my question... why is the media do hell-bent on making people forget, especially the good? These kids were good, despite having it bad behind the scenes. It's like the media blame them for the bad, when in fact, the adults in their lives were the primary purveyors of the bad that eventually befell them. The exception, of course, is Conrad Bain, who consistently remained a dignified presence when it came to the legacy of Diff'rent Strokes and to some of the child actors who retained contact with him long after the show's end.

I am grateful to Todd Bridges for making me remember the good. And on that note, here's a clip from Diff'rent Strokes, featuring a young Janet Jackson as Charlene, Willis' first girlfriend. And needless to say, some good work from Coleman, Plato and Bain as well.

To counterbalance the funk I'm in

Apparently, MJ, despite being gone, has inked an unprecedented recording deal with Sony, which promises at least $250M to his estate. Good news, right? Except, I had to hear this from the anchors of World News Now. They showed a segment about other late recording stars and how many records they sold after they died. Freddie Mercury and Queen made around $30M in record sales since Mercury's passing in '91; Kurt Cobain and Nirvana made around $27M in record sales since Kobain's suicide in '94; and Elvis made around $31M in record sales since his death in '77.

And yet, when they talked about Michael, they poor talked it, saying that his record sales have falling off sharply?

Errr... Jeremy and Vinita... Michael Jackson died less than 9 months ago and he made $31M in record sales since then. $31M for pre-existing material that people have likely bought two or three times prior to his death, due to changes in recording mediums. We are talking about new material that fans are obviously hungry for. And sorry, douches, but the reason why the single This is It didn't do better was because of Paul Anka's ridiculous hissy fit. If he would've shut up and talked to the executors instead of taking it to the Inside Editions and Extras, he would've gotten some major bank. But, as Kelly Bundy would say... Case of rum, case of rum.

That annoyed me, but again, a divine spark has directed me to this little gem. MJ was so adorable in this, which makes me even happier that more money is coming in for his children.

An abysmal week - human nature gone horribly wrong!!

Personally and professionally, my week was pretty good. No upsets at work or home. Was a little too broke before payday, but I managed. In general, everything was pretty good. My only real regret was channel-surfing while watching my telenovelas. I'm officially addicted to them, specifically, the telenovelas that air between the 7 to 10 pm block. While I was sad to see En Nombre Del Amor end, Mi Pecado is a pretty d@mn good replacement so far. And Hasta Que El Dinero Nos Separe is probably my favorite, mainly because of Pedro Fernandez's fantastic charisma and great comic timing - I assume. Again, I don't know Spanish, but I honestly enjoy his performance, along with Itati Cantoral. Crazy chemistry between the two of them... chemistry I haven't seen lately on American soaps. The third telenovela... unfortunately, I don't know the exact name, but it's a period piece and has some promise. I caught a bit of it during its second week and... some chick stole another chick's baby and left it in the elements to die and she eventually walled up said chick in the cellar. The walled up chick escaped... I think... but I don't know how long her escape lasted. Anyway, the historical telenovela looks promising, although I tend to fall asleep before it comes on at 9.

Anyway, it would serve me to not channel surf during commercials because usually the things that fill in the commercial time are absolutely demoralizing. During the 7 to 8 pm block, there's the entertainment shows and Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell. Naturally, because of Sandra Bullock's domestic troubles, watching entertainment shows are out of the question, especially since they were thoroughly kissing her butt not even a week ago about her happy home life. And Jane Velez-Mitchell's show focused on the possibility that George Anthony may have had an affair - as if that fact will hasten Casey Anthony going to trial. The 8 pm hour is no problem, given that Nancy Grace is on and more and more, she's showing her true colors. Really, Nancy... the National Enquirer's take on George Anthony's alleged affair should be the lead-in story 2 or 3 days in a row? Really? But the worse had to be the 9 pm hour - Joy Behar. Luckily, Larry King had Todd Bridges and Betty White on consecutive nights, but I channel surfed anyone and saw that Andrew Young douche talking about Rielle Hunter's GQ spread. And who was his co-panelist/partner in crime? Diane fcuking Dimond!!! I guess lurking on courthouse easements have finally paid off for her. Got a segment on CBS Early Morning, which isn't too surprising since they depend on Maggie Rodriguez sooooooo much. But per usual, whenever Diane gets access, she becomes the biggest toadie/buttkiss/hype man in mass media. Really, Diane, did Elizabeth Edwards deserved to be cheated on while campaigning for Hair Boy and battling cancer because some random people told you that she wasn't a very nice person? My hope is that those who consider some sort of champion for mainstream, whitebread morality, take careful notice of what she really is.

Then the assault of the skanks, specifically that Joslyn James trick and the tatted up b*tch. Yes, famous married men made the mistake of fcuking them, but why is the media making these broads stars? I knew that Joslyn trick would pull something like this when I saw her at an Oscar party. First of all, why was that trick allowed on the premises? And no, I don't think that Tiger apologizing would've prevented the text messages leak. IMO, that b*tch only wanted verbal contact in order to re-established the 'relationship'. And yeah, I heard the texts were very explicit, but $h*t, if Tiger was fcuking a porn star, he wasn't expecting gingersnaps and Country Time lemonade on the sparking couch. And the fact that she had so many profoundly filthy texts from him says more about her. Women have limits, and the women I know would stop contact if a dude's dirty talk got violent and way too out of hand. She just confirmed that she was completely down with what he was dishing and that she was an even bigger chump for doing some, if not all, of his 'special requests'. And BTW... where is Gloria Allred? Her 'victim' is out there, all by her lonesome. That sterling example of flowering womanhood, befouled by Tiger, rigged up her website to recount how she consented to being befouled. Kinda funny, actually. And the tatted trick... 30 grand for your story? Really? Very cheap... but given how you look, it was much too much. Too late for girl power, sweetie. Girl power should've kept you off your knees and Jesse James' balls out of your mouth. Next time, know that!

So many sucky people that don't impact whether I have a roof over my head, and yet, they really got to me this week. Visiting You Tube helped - and I truly thank the divine spark that told me to seek out ole skool Tex Avery cartoons. Some of them have racist elements in them, but they still are funny as fcuk! Here's an example... and may everything that happens to that dog with the creepy-@$$ed laugh, happen to all of the fcuks who brought a downer on my week.

Current mood? THIS!!!!!

People suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Todd Bridges: A High Five for a former child star

While channel-surfing, I noticed that Todd Bridges was the headliner for Larry King Live. Given the recent death of Corey Haim, I figured that, maybe, he was positioning himself for some spotlight. Mind you, Todd Bridges has been one of the rare former child stars who don't grasp desperately for an additional 15 minutes. And remarkably, he lived up to that reputation last night.

Sure, I had to wade through the Rielle Hunter crap, Jesse Ventura, Sean Astin, and that Republican lady discussing the health care legislation, but eventually, I was treated to a composed, contrite and very mature Todd Bridges, who was there to promote his book Killing Willis.

Was so thoroughly impressed by Todd. He talked about Diff'rent Strokes, his tumultuous home life, the sexual abuse at the hands of his publicist and his slide during the 90s. For once, you saw a child star who took full responsibility for his mistakes and never made any excuses for them. He didn't name-drop - technically, he really didn't have to, since Larry King kept interjecting names like Gary Coleman, Janet Jackson, and Corey Haim. And yet, Todd didn't fall for it. His comments about his former costars and friends remained short and pretty discreet. I liked him for that.

I am really curious about his Killing Willis book, especially the part about the sexual abuse. Sexual abuse has been on my mind because of my own and the possible abuse that Corey Haim had suffered. Because I am a female, I feel I have more resources at my disposal to remedy some of my residual issues, but I continue to contend that boys/young men don't have the same luxury. I know that Todd is a really religious guy, but I wonder whether he took other steps to achieve the peace he obviously have.

Anyway, I wish him so much luck and congratulate him on 17+ years of sobriety.

I spell classy 'R-I-E-L-L-E'

This b*tch must be from another planet.

Rielle Hunter.

In GQ.

In a man's white shirt.

Waxing poetic about her 'romance' with John Edwards. And trashing Edwards' cancer stricken wife.

Classy, huh?

Then, she goes on to say that she and John will be together... 'til death parts them.

Alright.

Then, the waterworks. Apparently, she didn't like the resulting layout and cried in Barbara Walters' ear... according to Barbara Walters.

Now, my question is... how did that b*tch get that old crone's phone number? Maybe jump offs have each others numbers.

And my final question... why the white shirt? Didn't she know that she assumed the costume of Jilted Wife Extraordinaire, Jennifer Aniston? Of course, Aniston rocked the look on Vanity Fair's cover, but just the audacity to do that... scandalous!

Time just got away from me

A lot happened last week which deserved commentary: the Farrah snub and the attempted MJ backlash; the conclusion of En Nombre Del Amor and the commencement of Mi Pecado; the death of Corey Haim and the subsequent D-list posturing; and today, the return of my hatred of the Rickey Smiley Morning show.

My hope is to discuss all of these topics, but again, time just keep getting away from me (read: I get distracted).

Thank you, Jeanine Pirro!!!!!!!!!!

So the b*tch is still demanding an apology?

Tiger Woods had his press conference... didn't watch it, though.

The media pundits watched and analyzed his performance... didn't bother to watch that, either, although, yet again, Gloria Allred had her @$$ parked on Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell, fuming that Tiger didn't offer her pornstar (oops... former pornstar) client a public apology. Because, as Allred added, Tiger made promises to her and exposed her to diseases, given that he was banging other women at the same time.

Ha!

And she said that Tiger implored her to get out of the porn business.

The b@$terd!! Because he wanted to be the only one in the arrangement teeming with VD from questionable, shady sex partners.

Seriously, Allred needs to give it up because this woman, nor any other of the jump ups deserve an apology. All of them could've refused his advances; all of them could've refused to have unprotected sex with him; and all of them could have camel it instead of allowing him to take refuge between their thighs.

Personally, I think that this demand for an apology smacks of racism. From the beginning of time, those with the gold made the rules. And conveniently, when people of color started making comparable coin, they were subject to stricter expectations simply because the source of wealth came from the majority population. But when members of the majority population make mistakes or flat disrespect both fellow members of their race and members of racial minorities, they are not called upon to apologize. But when a wealthy man of color humiliates a bunch of willing, desperate White women, or rather, scoop up what many other broke, yet observant men would scoop up with little monetary investment, the world has to stop because, now, the flowery integrity of womanhood has been insulted.

Please.

People teach others how to treat them... a lesson that every woman has to learn. And just because some of these broads were pushing 30 or were mothers don't preclude them from being morons.

Personally, I hope Tiger continues to not apologize to these women because they do have a lion's share of responsibility for being humiliated. Just say no, b*tches.

And on that note, I hope Allred's attempts at justifying how Tiger ruined her client's chances of getting 'facials' on camera from random porn dudes, continues. Because I suspect that if it does, her rationalizations will become as convoluted as this woman's:



Edina Monsoon... another unexpected sage.