We kid Brian Montopoli, we call him Candy Perfume Boy and we have an entire history for Candy Perfume Boy. But when Montopoli nails one down, we're glad to note that. Today at CJR Daily, our Candy Perfume Boy nailed one down with "There's Nothing About Mary."
Some (Rebecca) have offered we've confused our beloved creation (Candy Perfume Boy) with Brian Montopoli. That may or may not be true but when one community member e-mailed "There's Nothing About Mary" to both common_ills@yahoo.com and thirdestatesundayreview@yahoo.com we eagerly read the copy and paste. And we were quite proud of Montopoli (whether as Montopoli or as our creation we'll leave to shrinks to decide).
Weighing in on Mary Matalin's appearence on Meet the Press, he lays out the problems with Matalin's facts and concludes with this:
Why, jaded readers might wonder, does this particular abomination so exercise us? After all, there are any number of talking heads out there willing to lie and spin with reckless abandon and then exhibit righteous indignation toward anyone who expresses disagreement -- and any number of talk shows eager to roll out the red carpet for same.
But Matalin, and "Meet the Press" itself, deserve to be singled out because they are thought to represent the best of political dialogue: a respected political operative who has worked in high places being grilled on the most revered political talk show in America. If anyone still thinks that the carnival barkers are confined to cable shoutfests while serious political dialogue endures elsewhere, last weekend's display should be enough to put that fleeting hope to rest once and for all.
Exactly to the point. On the money, illuminating and certainly something to take pride in. Like a really strong trailer that gives you goosebumps, "In a world gone crazy, one reporter . . . " Or, as a "critic" once said of The Professional, "makes Speed look like a slow ride to Grandma's."*
Earlier this week, on a blog report, Brian Montopoli/Candy Perfume Boy did disappoint us. As intrepid TV critics who fearlessly wade through the any and all drek, past and present, we read with sadness as he took on right wing bloggers convinced that Geena Davis' role in as the first female president in "an upcoming ABC drama" was a plot to elect Hillary Clinton president in 2008. We were saddened first of all because CPB quoted a right wing blogger without correcting the rwb. Geena Davis is not yet going to perform in "an upcoming ABC drama." It is pilot season where networks will look at various pilots and decide what will and what will not be added to the fall season schedule. It's the mistake of an amateur and we fully expect it from the rwb but we were disappointed that CPB didn't catch that.
We were further saddened to realize that CPB had no idea that, if the pilot is picked up, it wouldn't be the first female president on TV. In fact, if you drop back to 1985, you will find Patty Duke starring in Hail to the Chief! as . . . the first female president. Would rwbs argue that Hail to the Chief was an attempt to elect Nancy Reagan in 1988 or Big Babs Bush in 1988? Or maybe it was to prepare the country for Geraldine Ferraro's 1988 presidential run?
But today CPB took on Mary Matalin's Meet the Press appearence and did damn good. We're happy to note that. Thank you to Maria for giving us the heads up.
-- Ava and C.I.
* "Makes Speed look like . . ." written by Don Stotter, ENTERTAINMENT TIME-OUT SYNDICATION
