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Open Mic

New Series Examines One of the Most Compelling News Stories of the 1970s

“Death to the fascist insect that preys upon the life of the people.” If those wack-o words sound the least bit familiar, then you were probably around in 1974 and following every detail during the wall-to-wall media coverage of the…

Feb 9, 2018

Well-Known NPR Investigative Reporter Daniel Zwerdling Has Suddenly Retired. Sexual Harassment Has Been Alleged. He Denies the Allegations. NPR Needs to Be Much More Forthcoming Than It’s Been

On Tuesday, Feb. 6th, Current, a nonprofit news service for and about public media that’s published by the American University School of Communication, posted a story by associate editor April Simpson titled “NPR’s Daniel Zwerdling out after investigation into harassment.”…

Feb 7, 2018

In the Age of Trump, Has Journalism Passed the Point of No Return?

In an interview with the New York Times’ incoming publisher A.G. Sulzberger, New Yorker editor David Remnick says that he has it on good authority that the Washington Post is studying what would happen, in business terms, if the “Trump…

Feb 6, 2018

From a High-Achieving Couch Potato to a Good Old-Fashioned Expletive-Filled Rant, the Writers Guild’s Annual Beyond Words Event Had It All

The horrors of racial discrimination, both historical and fictional. A young woman’s coming of age. A love story involving an aquatic alien. The cultural, familial and relationship struggles of a mixed couple. A woman in a man’s game. The story…

Feb 5, 2018

Tartikoff Legacy Awards Honor Two Acting Legends, Two Respected TV Execs and a Prolific Showrunner

It was a night of fond remembrances, more than a few tears and several standing ovations at the 15th annual Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Awards, which honored two acting legends, two highly respected television executives and a prolific showrunner. Jane Fonda,…

Jan 22, 2018

Raise a Glass to the ‘True Freshman’ — He’s a Dilly

The term “dilly dilly” has gotten a lot of publicity lately in Bud Light commercials. Medieval people are depicted shouting “dilly dilly” when they approve of something, most likely giving a six pack of Bud Light to the king. But…

Jan 12, 2018

Remembering the Late, Great Sam Kinison

It seems only fitting that a documentary on the late, great comedian Sam Kinison will be one of the last big hurrahs aired on Spike TV before it rebrands into the Paramount Network on Jan. 18. And it was only…

Dec 19, 2017

Senator Franken’s Resignation Speech: Really, Al?

Sen. Al Franken gave a speech on the floor of the Senate yesterday in which he announced his upcoming resignation from the Senate after eight women had accused him of improper sexual behavior, including groping and forced kissing. Yet in…

Dec 8, 2017

When’s the Best Time to Use a Folksy Saying? When the Cows Come Home, of Course

I was watching TV over the Thanksgiving holiday when my granddaughter’s cute little dog Winnie jumped in my lap for a snooze. When Ramsay noticed her all curled up, snug as a bug in a rug, she said Winnie looked…

Dec 7, 2017

New History Series Promises ‘Holy Hell’

“Holy Hell,” proclaims one of the billboard campaigns for History’s upcoming series “Knightfall,” a tale of brotherhood, betrayal and bloodshed. “Is Nothing Holy Anymore?” asks another. The verdict will be up to audiences when the ten-episode run of the fictionalized…

Dec 6, 2017