Reille Hunter’s not ready for prime time. She’s not even ready for “The Real World”. So what possessed the crackpot Edwards’ mistress from appearing with Oprah Winfrey last Thursday is beyond me. But I’ve done grad study in psychology and counseling so I can detect full tilt crazy when I see it. This chick is so steeped in denial, she can’t see her so-called “truth” let alone any inlet of reality.

If you missed it: the New Age faux videographer relieved herself of any responsibility in the dissolution of the Edwards’ marriage. “A third party can’t break up a marriage, ” she said. Oh, yeah, and whether she hurt Elizabeth? “I think Elizabeth was hurt in the process. Johnny was hurt in the process. Everyone was hurt in the process.” Okay, but the Talk Queen pressed on, insisting she answer the Elizabeth question. Reille’s reply? “I don’t know. You’d have to ask Elizabeth.” Not even a guess, Reille?

She also had some goofy excuse for that sexpot in the garden of puppets GQ photo spread. “Big mistake…. I’ll never do that again.” Blamed it on ego. “I wanted a sexy shot so people wouldn’t see me like the I’m the wicked witch.”

Any regrets about being John Edwards’ mistress? “No, because I’ve learned a lot.” She yammered on a lot about “integrity” and living in one’s “authentic truth.” And if that truth happens to contribute to the unhappiness or even ruins someone else’s life, oh well. Guess that’s just part of the journey.

Oh, and if people hate her it’s their problem. “They’re working through their own disappointments or fears with their own parents or husbands.”

Planning any trips to Arizona, Reille? Better have your interplanetary passport handy.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

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Here’s another refresher on the whole “Schlemiel-Schlemazel” bit. A schlemiel is the guy who drops soup in your lap;a schlemazel is the guy who winds up wearing the soup.Well, the folks at Arizona Iced Tea are the certified schlamazels in this whole boycotting Arizona over that racist, scary “Papers Please” bill business.

Fright wingers like Pat Buchanan defend the legislation as “a necessary burden,” but a lot of incensed folks are threatening to just say “No” to anything and everything associated with the state or name Arizona. This apparently includes the Diamondbacks baseball team, conferences and tourism, the movie “Raising Arizona, “ Mark Lindsey’s ’70’s hit “Arizona” and the Grand Canyon. Not sure how that last one is supposed to work. Oh by the way, anyone boycotting John McCain? Does that mean we can boycott Sarah Palin by association? Not that it matters; I’ve been boycotting Caribou Barbie for two years already anyway.

But some people are ditching Arizona Iced Tea, too. And that’s too bad, especially considering the beverage–the brainchild of a couple of Brooklyn boys–has been bottled for sixteen or so years in New York. On Long Island to be specific. Bet they’re sorry they didn’t call it Long Island Iced Tea. Right about now, they could use whatever potent ingredients spike that beach favorite.

Remember “Freedom Fries?” This too shall pass, guys. People: protest, okay. But use your heads. And hearts.

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It was bound to happen. I finally know someone who auditioned for a reality show. Okay, she’s not officially cast, but she did score a callback. And while the show–which sounds like a “Real Housewives” knock-off-hasn’t even been picked up by a network or syndicator, I find the prospect oddly exhilarating.

Kudos ( or Ku-Doze as Ramona would say) to Pretty on the Outside’s David Gilmore for the clever video and assorted ingenious Housewifenalia.

The truth is I consume more Reality TV than I should admit. But I cover TV for various outlets. that’s my excuse ( and I”m sticking to it)–what’s yours? And here’s this week’s “Question of no real significance” What is your favorite Reality show? Bonus: Do you harbor deep, dark fantasies about starring in your own Reality show? Let RG know. And don’t forget to take the new RG Reality TV poll!

And if you’re looking for a Reality show on a mission, taste “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.” The limited series wrapped up on ABC last week, but full episodes are available free at both ABC.com and Hulu.com. For more, read my latest NJP review. Don’t forget to digg, tweet & comment; and sample other savory items, too.

What’s Eating America? Oliver’s ‘Food Revolution’ Not Just Made For TV | NEWS JUNKIE POST 

And put down that deep fried Twinkie. Really. Do it now.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace ( and pass the M&Ms).

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Talk about being caught red-handed. The Goldman internal memo paints its own Timberlake deal with less than a favorable brush: “Boy that’s one sh**ty deal!”

This Goldman guy Sparks squirms “I don’t recall selling hundreds of millions of that.” Ha. Even one transaction is one too many, you greedy jerk!

Let’s keep those bail-outs and bonuses coming, kids.

Senator Levin rocks!

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If it’s a dumb law it’s a dumb law. Even some GOP honchos and commentators have distanced themselves from the controversial and scary Arizona immigration bill. But not the Grand Poo bah. Oh, no, instead Rush Limbaugh tried to compare the bill to Obama’s proposed ban on salt–which by the way– is a figment of the misinforminator’s one-sided imagination. He’s whipping the ditto heads into another frenzy, warning that Obama and his socialist regime are trying to insinuate themselves into “every nook and cranny” of their lives.

Not good. Unless, of course,it’s the GOP clamping down on people who “might look like illegal immigrants” or women who want control over their own uteruses.

The salt thing, in case anyone cares, isn’t true. What Obama is proposing is warning labels regarding sodium content. This is far less reaching, by the way, than the “voluntary” salt limitations New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg ( a reformed Repub–turned indie–) has successfully cajoled local and national restaurant chains into adhering to.

But why let those pesky facts get in the way of a rabid rant. Right, Rush?

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Al Pacino’s performance as Dr. Jack Kevorkian in the new HBO film “You Don’t Know Jack” is the sort of ‘to die for’ star-turn that has Emmy written all over it. Read more in my latest News Junkie Post review. Hey, why not tweet, digg & comment. Check out other cool and provocative pieces too!
Pacino ‘To Die For’ in HBO’s “Jack” | NEWS JUNKIE POST

My other latest fave TV offering is also on HBO, the new series “Treme” a poignant ode to post Katrina New Orleans. This gritty cultural gumbo just gets better and better. I’m not a shill for the cable channel, but if you don’t subscribe, you may want to sign up. Here’s a taste of the new episode:

In case you missed it, check out my NJP review: “Treme”: Gritty Cultural Gumbo Celebrates Post-Katrina New-Orleans | NEWS JUNKIE POST

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

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Chickens for check-ups, it seems, is only the beginning. Yep, resourceful Repubs are brimming with all sorts of retro ideas for bartering for health care. Take a look at this segment from Thursday’s “Rachel Maddow Show.”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I’m diggin’ those rockin’ chickens. And at least Lowden’s no flip-flopper. Even after being outed as an out-of-touch nut, Nevada’s Senate front-runner is stickin’ to her chickens. I know the GOP are all about just saying “No” and repealing the new health reform bill, but come on, folks. Now this guy from Tennessee wants people to pay for health care with vegetables.

Better to just stay home and toss the chicken and veggies in a big pot. Mom was right: chicken soup will cure just about anything. How ’bout DUMB? Send a vat to Sue Lowden. Just in case.

Drive safe. Play nice. Take vitamins.
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Call him a gaffe machine if you must, but Vice President Joe Biden is a charmer. Something about that smile, I guess. And his sweet sincerity. Hey, even Hasselbeck likes the guy! But don’t hold that against him.

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It’s not easy going green, but there are some simple things we can all do to reduce our carbon footprints and protect the earth.

Recycle. Grow a garden. Or buy locally grown fruits and vegetables ( it’s good for the local economy, too). Take the stairs. Drive less, walk more ( they’re good for your cardiovascular system, too). Participate in a community clean-up. Can’t find one in your neighborhood? Organize one.

For more information on getting involved and becoming more environmentally conscious: Earthday.org

Walk safe. Play nice. Think green.

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Don’t know how anyone can take Dick Morris seriously. The sleaze just oozes off him. So it shouldn’t surprise us that he is now–oh something like thirteen years later–backing off his so-called Clinton Waco bombshell. The story he repeated countless times on Fox News that Janet Reno was holding Clinton hostage turns out to be little more than “conjecture” from the former disgraced prostitute- toe -licking aide turned misinforminator.

On the April 19 installment of “Hannity” Morris said: ” Clinton said ‘I couldn’t not re-appoint Reno or she would have turned on me over Waco.”

I’ll see your flip and raise you a flop. On Wednesday’s edition of “Fox & Friends, ” Morris admitted those words never came out of Bill Clinton’s mouth. What actually happened, according to Slick Dick is he had a conversation with Clinton in which the President indicated he’d be hiring a new AG for the second term. Then following a meeting with Reno she got the nod. What Clinton actually told him Reno said: “I’d like you to re-appoint me for at least one year, because, if not, people will think that you’re blaming me with what went on in Waco.’ Now that’s the quote Clinton gave me.”

So why didn’t you just say that all those years ago? Why keep such a distortion alive? There would still be plenty of red meat for the fright wing to gnaw on. Speaking of which, pass the salt. Even Fox followers better start questioning the dubious drivel they’re being fed. Oh, yeah and now will any conservatives in the media or beyond call Morris out on this? Yeah, okay, now I’m the one asking silly questions.

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“Daily Show” maestro Jon Stewart continues to skewer the hysteria and hyperbole of the Fox News misinforminators. His latest target Bernard Goldberg fired back on “The O’Reilly Factor” Monday night. Last night, Stewart upped the comic ante. “You can’t criticize me for not being fair and balanced. That’s your slogan, which, by the way you never follow.”

Goldberg: “You’re just a safe Jay Leno with a much smaller audience but you get to say the F-bomb… which gives your incredibly unsophisticated audience the illusion that you’re courageous and a renegade.”

Stewart: “If you think I’m Jay Leno with an F-bomb than you know less about comedy than politics.”

Classic Stewart. Fox can’t box him in. Or win. Sorry, Bernie, you’re out of your element. And that’s the gospel truth.

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“I don’t think anyone really wants to tell the truth in America anymore… and you know what’s really weird?( uh, dunno: maybe your popularity) I’m okay with that.” Of course the Beckster is okay with that: he makes millions shading, distorting and flat out lying. The so-called “honesty shortage” has sure worked out just fine for him.

Put another nail in my creative writing coffin. “Truth” trumps fiction again.

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Bill Hader served up a wickedly funny James Carville impression during “SNL’s” Weekend Update. Taking aim at the Tea Baggers, Carville skewered their crazy costumes… “tell me which founding father wore a three corner hat with an Orlando Magic jersey?”… and recently reported high education levels, calling them not the cream of the crop “but more like the foggy water at the top of yogurt container.” He also called himself a “Cajun galom” who scares babies.

Speaking of New Orleans, the jazzy, jaunty music is a featured character in HBO’s new series “Treme.” This gritty cultural gumbo plays on a slow simmer. While you may bristle at its bite at first, the show, like the food and music of the Crescent City may well win you over. Read more in my latest News Junkie Post review. Hey, and while you’re there, please tweet, digg and comment.

“Treme:” Gritty Cultural Gumbo Celebrates Post-Katrina New Orleans | NEWS JUNKIE POST

Country music congratulates itself again Sunday night on CBS with the CMAs ( or is it the ACMs)? All I know is there will be glitz and glam Nashville style. Taylor Swift may outshine Carrie Underwood. And Brooks & Dunn will probably win something. Pretty sure Reba will host,too. Tune in CBS at 8 pm to find out.

“Damages,” the FX mind-bender wraps up Monday night in what promises to be another shocking season finale. All season we’ve been watching high-powered attorney Patty Hewes ( Glenn Close in the role that may make you forget about all that nonsense with the rabbit in “Fatal Attraction” or maybe think of it even more) tackles the Madoffs… I mean the Tobins and the complicated story threads that connect a diverse and intriguing melange of characters.Let’s see how it plays out. And will this be the fascinating series–which has struggled to maintain high ratings– swan song? Rumors have producers negotiating with Direct TV to offset costs.

Kate Gosselin–one of those inexplicable reality TV stars–continues to stomp around the stage along with a collection of has-beens and wannabes on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Despite my best efforts, I can’t help sneaking a peak at the train wreck that is Kate’s two left feet– and her shrewish behavior. If you’re curious, tune in towards the end of the show as producers think the “Gosselin effect” has “DWTS” besting “American Idol” in the ratings race.

That’s another show I said I wasn’t getting sucked into this season, but alas, here I am with only seven contestants left, tuning into “Idol,” and rooting for Crystal, Lee, Casey and Mike. Guess you could say I’m rooting against the other three, but my inner creativity coach has me cheering for everyone. You know in that oh, so realistic, world in which everyone’s a winner. And M&Ms actually burn more calories than celery.

Hey, I’ll keep watching,so you don’t have to.

Drive safe. play nice. Think peace.

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The folks at Media matters and Huff PO nailed Fox News again. The network’s scare and unbalanced tactics did propel the hysterical hoopla and brazen bold-faced lies that fueled the fright wing’s anti-”Obamacare” campaign. Who are ya gonna believe? The misinforminators’ spin or their own original attacks?

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Hank Williams, his raw, distinctive sound still reverberates through the richly textured country music terrain he helped pave. Last Monday, Williams who died nearly sixty years ago at the age of 29, was awarded a posthumous Pulitzer citation “for his craftsmanship as a songwriter who expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity and played a pivotal role in transforming country music into a major musical and cultural force in American life.” Just about says it all. Oh, yeah, and his kids and grand kids are living dad’s legacy. Not bad for a guy who died, too young and too soon, on a lonesome highway. Not bad at all.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

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Today’s the day! Too overwhelmed, too broke, too lazy? You’ve got until midnight to file for an extension or installment plan. Do it, kids, or be socked with heavy duty penalties. And going to a Tea Party is not a “Get Out of Jail Free” card. Oh, and Sherri: better get all those shoe boxes filled with receipts in order. The IRS should be at your door for the audit any day now!

Drive safe. Play nice. Think refunds.

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Hard to believe this classic “Designing Women” clip–an homage to the late Dixie Carter– debuted over twenty years ago. Like Julia Sugarbaker, many of us are still praying for “People with power to get good sense and people with good sense to get power.” Sometimes it works. Sometimes not so much.

Brazen Bites from Fright Wing Circus:

Sue Lowden-GOP candidate for Harry Reid’s Nevada Senate seat– told a town hall crowd bartering with your doctor for health care services is a good way to keep the fees in check. Bartering, Sue, really? As in showing up with a chicken and a bucket of eggs for a check-up? How many dozens of eggs would an appendectomy set you back? By the way, Lowden leads Reid in the polls.

Mike Huckabee, former and possibly future GOP presidential hopeful and current Fox News misinforminator told a college audience this week gays shouldn’t be allowed to adopt as “children are not puppies.” He also compared legalizing gay marriage with sanctioning polygamy, pedophilia and incest.

Michelle Bachmann: on job creation: “Literally–if we took away the minimum wage–if conceivably it was gone–we could potentially virtually wipe out unemployment completely because we would be able to offer jobs at whatever level.”

Carl Palidino: Buffalo business tycoon and (until yesterday) NY GOP gubernatorial hopeful: on the racist e-mails he routinely sends: “I just thought they were funny. I don’t think in ethnic terms. It’s just humor.” On being exposed as a racist, sexist ( he also sent pornographic e-mails) sleaze: “That’s just a liberal democratic smear.”

Bob McDonnell: the rapidly embattled Virginia governor, fresh off his slavery omission/confederate month hoopla, is now resurrecting literacy tests for voting. He wants non-violent felons to write essays outlining their good citizenship to re-gain their voting rights.

Randy Brogdon, Oklahoma State Senator and GOP contender for the state’s top spot defends the Oklahoma Tea Party’s attempt to introduce legislation approving a state-authorized militia. The idea picked up steam when Tea Party leader J.W. Berry began soliciting interest in his newsletter. the banner read: “Buy more guns, more bullets.”

The founding fathers, Brogdon says “were not referring to a turkey shoot or a quail hunt.The Second Amendment deals directly with the right of an individual to keep and bear arms to protect themselves from an overreaching federal government.”

This just days before the fifteenth anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. Scary doesn’t begin to cover it.

One more Bachmann bite for the road: in response to President Obama’s nuclear policy, the Tea Party’s Louise ( to Palin’s Thelma) had this brainy remark: “So if in fact there is a nation who is compliant with all the rules ahead of time…if they fire against the United States a biological weapon, a chemical weapon, or maybe a cyber attack, then we aren’t going to be firing back with nuclear weapons? Doesn’t that make us all feel safe?”

A cyber attack? Is it me or did she just threaten to blow up the blogosphere?

Think McDonnell was on to something after all. There should b some test–you know a basic IQ test–for politicians. One way or another smart people will make a comeback. Even if we have to draft ‘em. Or volunteer ourselves.

Drive safe. Play nice. think peace.

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Even Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell finally back-peddled big time after proclaiming April Confederate Month. First, the new gov omitted slavery from the proclamation, insisting the Civil War was fought for many reasons. Yeah, sure slavery was one, itty bitty and btw not so nice reason, but there were others. After the backlash, he reissued an awkward statement denouncing slavery. But the celebration –which the Sons of Confederate Veterans lobbied for and which the gov says will promote tourism-will roll on. Couldn’t they just resurrect “Virginia is for Lovers?”

Yesterday, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour told CNN’s Candy Crowley that the whole controversy “doesn’t amount to diddly.” In case you were wondering, Mississippi has a similar proclamation. Oh yeah, no mention of slavery either. Okay, it goes without saying that slavery was bad, but humor us anyway, Governor.

Sure sounds like diddly. For brains.

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No stranger to the social tinderbox, provocative playwright/director, David Mamet tackles his most explosive four letter word yet in his latest play, “Race” Read more in my latest News Junkie Post review. Please Digg, tweet, comment as you see fit. And take time to explore the NJP site; you’ll discover some other cool writers and interesting articles,too.

“Race” Dances With The National Albatross on Broadway | NEWS JUNKIE POST

Pop-o-Rama:
Who’s whining now? Looks like Conan O’Brien’s karma is about to run over George Lopez’s dharma…. Coco has inked a late night deal with TBS. His show which will air Mondays-Thursdays at 11 will push “Lopez Tonight” to midnight starting in November.

“The Washington Post” beat “The New York Times” in the Pulitzer race; 4 to 3. The Drama prize went to “Next to Normal.” Fiction: Paul Harding’s “Tinkers” Non-Fiction: “The Dead Hand” by David E. Hoffman. Hank Williams received a special citation. Check out the Pulitzer Page for a complete list of winners.

Oh, yeah, if you were rooting for the “The National Enquirer,” sorry to tell you the rag went home empty. Told you they never should have messed with Barbara Walters.

Speaking of media heavyweights: Kitty Kelly’s new unauthorized Oprah bio is due today, but don’t look for the author, who apparently paints a less than flattering picture of the talk queen, to make the talk show rounds. She’s not expecting invites from “The View“, ” “Larry King Live” or “The Joy Behar Show” ( which in case you’re keeping score, is now officially getting on my mother’s nerves). Seems everyone’s afraid to cross the big O.

No one wants to talk with Marianna Pasternak either. She’s Martha Stewart’s ex-bff. Guess after testifying against the domestic diva at her now infamous stock fraud trial they decided to call the whole friendship thing off. Now Pasternak’s out with a tell-all, “The Best of Friends.” This one sounds juicy, too.

Time to hit the books, kids.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

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If Sarah Palin didn’t exist, Tina Fey would have invented her. Fey’s Sarachuda impression which had almost single-handedly resurrected the ailing and aging “Saturday Night Live“two years ago, was back with acerbic laser-like vengeance last night.

“The Palin Channel” sketch was the hilarious highlight in another uneven, and disappointing “SNL” If the writers were “Smarter than a half-term governor” they’d have made more comic political hay. And edit, kids, edit!

Still, Fey, as usual, out-Palined Palin. Caribou Barbie came in third behind Mitt Romney and Ron Paul –and just ahead of Newt Gingrich–at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw vote over the weekend.

Did you catch that? “her MEDIOCRE rise!” That’s one Freudian slip you won’t hear on Fox News. A lot of them may not know it yet, but I think even the Repubs are growing weary of tea with Thelma and Louise.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

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