Today's post title will make more sense after you watch 'The Shot', I promise.
Political coverage took front and center on Tuesday's AC360, as it should in this election year. But I was pleased that it didn't totally dominate, like it has in recent days (weeks, months). Tuesday's AC360 had a good mix of stories.
The first report of the night was Jessica Yellin taking a closer look at Obama's poll numbers and why he is under preforming. Tuesday's panel was Ed Rollins, Mark Halpern and Jennifer Palmieri. The consensus seemed to be that Obama's problems are rooted in his lack of experience, his relatively young age and the race factor.
It was great to see Tom Foreman back again on Tuesday with a segment that explored the validity of Obama's energy message. TF gave this Obama message a qualified thumbs up. McCain's turn was next and he didn't fair quite as well. Foreman said while Mac's energy ideas were solid, implementation wasn't very practical.
Did you ever think that the day would come when 'she who shall not be named' was named? Me either. If you missed the very funny Paris video here's a link to the Funny or Die site.
The heartbreaking story of little missing Caylee was reported by Randi Kaye. Anderson did a follow up interview on the legal aspects of the case with Lisa Bloom, who was in the 360 studio. Then AC did an interview with Caylee's former babysitter, Holly Gagne. Usually these types of interviews are awkward at best, but this person was very well spoken and comfortable on camera. She had no real insight into the events that transpired, but was very supportive of Caylee's family.
And here is 'The Shot' courtesy of Ms. Sapphire.
I've clipped a few of my favorite moments.
This first clip caught me totally by surprise. I know AC loves reality television but I didn't know he was as addicted to 'Flipping Out' as I am. Has anyone else watched this series on Bravo?
I couldn't help thinking of Candy Crowley when I saw Kelly hinting that Anderson owed her a present. Wonder if CC ever got those flowers that AC promised her?
From the end of the program here's the Regis and Kelly inbox.
Phew, that was a lot to cover for one day! I've spent much of Tuesday playing catch up since my DH and I took a long weekend out of town. We had very limited television and Internet access, which was a pleasant change. I know from my emails that some of you experienced problems with accessing ATA through IE on Friday. The issue was a software update that one of our support sites uses, nothing that was of our doing. But I did laugh when Book Asylum emailed the blogging team and said that I would never go away again and leave them in charge.
Also you can imagine my surprise when I checked ATA on Sunday morning to find that Erica Hill had guest hosted on CBS. I can't believe I missed it. I know many of you have felt that EH has been underutilized by CNN since her move to NYC, and probably under appreciated too. But as we've said in the past we are not privy to the decision making process at CNN. All we can do is be supportive of those anchors and reporters we are so fond of and wish nothing but the best for them.
And that brings me to the little discussion in comments on Monday (and last week too) about the scuba video. I adore those of you that participate in comments every day and I know that you have nothing but love and respect for Anderson Cooper. I also don't think AC would be that shocked or bothered by what was said. Bewildered, yes....offended, probably not. So we'll still be hauling out the naughty chairs/bleachers regularly. And for those of you anonymous commenters who were offended, I am sorry about that. As Abraham Lincoln said "You can please all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot please all the people all the time."
Have a great Wednesday everyone and I hope to see you back here soon. ~Phebe
All Things Anderson is a blog dedicated to CNN's AC360 and its host Anderson Cooper.
28 comments:
We (CNN Int. viewers) lost most of the show to a press conference held by Bush and the South Korean President, so thanks for the great recap Phebe!
So, Anderson hasn't given up reality shows, huh?
I too absolutely love Project Runway, but I don't know that other show.
The show about the Lohan family sounds fun, lol. Don't you just love it when he spills his guts like this?!
But Dina did hit back hard, didn't she? She sure has a way with words! ;p
Thanks for the other clips, they were cute.
Phebe, ATA never fails to please me!
I'm also addicted to Flipping Out...there's something about Jeff Lewis and Co. that I can't get enough of...it's quite sad. Ugh, Dina Lohan...as soon as Anderson started talking about that show I just knew there'd be a response.
I was home ALL MORNING and completely forgot about R&K...so thanks for the clips! (My internet is being goofy, so I can't actually see them right now, but I will!!)
I can't imagine the clips are anything but hilarious and great...as usual :)
AC will also be on 'Oprah' on Thursday so be sure to catch a glimpse!
I really enjoyed Anderson on R&K. He seemed very relaxed and like he was really enjoying himself. It's always nice to see him in a setting different from 360.
I can´t see R&K here in Denmark,and so a big thanks for the clips.The are hilarious.
Have a great day everyone :-)
From Dorte
As a CNN Int. viewer, thanks for the recap and the R&K clips.
Phebe;
Disappointed doesn’t come close to expressing how some of us feel in the comments you made in the last paragraph of your post today.
For the most part, the ATA website is well-thought-out, constructive, enlightening, and informative, I could go on. For the most part, we all share and express our admiration and appreciation for the kind of journalism Anderson brings to his viewers each day. For the most part we admire and celebrate Anderson for the kind of person that he aspires to be each day, in the stories he tells, we marvel at the connections he makes with his audience each night, the integrity by which he holds himself and others by is always appreciated.
Why then would you and your team, after all this hard work allow this site to be used to objectify a man who had worked so hard and continues to do so, to steer clear of that kind of attention.
Think about the impact you, your team and your commenters have on individuals of every age, race, colour, creed and orientation. Where then do you draw the line? When do you hold yourselves accountable for the content and comments posted here? After it’s too late and it’s already out there in cyber-space. Have we lost all credibility, lost all morals? When did the lines become fuzzy for you? One minute you say and I quote “I must agree that the discussion of the shark video has gone a bit far” and in the next breath you so nonchalantly indicate “you all will still be hauling out the naughty chairs/bleachers regularly”! Why?
Yes, by all means, you all have the ability to decide what’s fair and what foul. Why allow that line to be crossed? You say you also don't think AC would be that shocked or bothered by what was said. Bewildered, yes....offended, probably not. Who’s to say some day down the line he won’t be totally disgusted by the crap that’s posted about him?
Your right, Abraham Lincoln was absolutely right, “You can please all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot please all the people all the time." But when did it ever become o.k. to do so at the expense of respect and one’s own self-respect?
Perez Hilton's site featured the clip where Anderson was talking about the Lohans. I read the comments and they were overwhelmingly on Anderson's side. A lot of other people can't stand the Lohans either. LOL!
Well i don't have much to say about the show because CNN Internation..decided to show the meeting of USA and S.Korea President..so i'm here just to say Good Day to everyone..i'm gonna "watch" the show with Phebe recap..later i'll say what is my opinion about it!! Good Day for everyone!!
@anonymous 1:44, First...your concern for my self-respect is touching, but unnecessary.
I don't know how we've managed to blog for 3 years and have close to 1.5 million hits without your insight. Thank you so much for putting us back on the straight and narrow.
So in the future no fun, no squee, no Anderlove and no naughty bleachers. Do I have that right?
I really think I'll have to disregard your very well thought out critique and continue to muddle through doing it my way. Sorry.
Keep muddling Phebe..lol
I see nothing disrespecful to Anderson in a bit of joking around, naughty chair included.
Anderson knows full well that he's thought of as "hot", and rather than be bewildered I think he'd be amused and flattered.
I think he'll start to worry if the day comes when nobody has any "naughty" thoughts about him. lol
to phebe and all ata bloggers, i want to apologize to everyone about my previous anderson below the belt picture comment. it was wrong and i shouldn't of said it even if i thought it. and to mr. cooper i highly respect you and i am very exstremely sorry if my comments embarrassed or disappointed you in anyway.
Anderson has never truly understood his appeal. Notice how he usually describes himself as skinny, pale and grey. So he may very well be bewildered. Or that could just be BS from him and he actually loves the attention, lol.
And it is OK to occassionally admire Anderson Cooper for more than his journalistic talent. The admiration does not hinder this wonderful blog.
Right on, Phebe!! I think you maintain an EXCELLENT balance of the serious conversations as well as the fun that so many of us have come to love here at ATA!
Something I've always found interesting is how much time people waste critisizing others, when they could just as easily go find another place that is more suited to their opinions.
Thank you for all your hard work and know that you have many who support you here on your blog.
The best part of last night's 360 were Tom Foreman's reports on Obama vs. McCain energy plans; well done, Tom!
The story about the missing little girl and whether her mom is responsible bothered me. Something bad definitely happened but I don't think we'll ever know the entire truth.
Thanks for the R&K clips. That "leathuh" woman should have been kicked off on the first episode, her garbage bag dress looked awful, like a three-year-old put it together and the guy who was kicked off actually had a garment that took a lot of work and looked like some real effort went into it.
Loved Anderson's Dina Lohan impression.
Although it's fun seeing him be more relaxed and more himself on R&K, I still don't like Kelly Ripa all that much, if she would just shut up and let Anderson do all of the talking then I'd adore her.
Phebe, I think this place is great, not just for the analysis of 360 as news but also the comments on Anderson as a sexy beast.
Did everyone notice he didn't cut his hair?
Jaanza
And just off topic here, the half hour conversation Larry King had with Brain Williams, Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson last night was fantastic. These folks are an absolute inspiration to take on this cause with such tenacity and vigour as they expressed last night. Having lost a parent myself to Cancer as a young girl, and many, friends, colleagues and family over the years, I salute them for what they are trying to do.
I was a tad surprised Anderson didn’t comment much more on the Paris Hilton clip. Maybe he figured he was in “bad karma” with the Lohans, he didn’t need the aggravation from the Hiltons too! LOL!
Well Phebes, you surely don't need me to defend you, you did a stellar job yourself. Kudos for keeping it real and respectable.
There is no one who respects, admires and loves Anderson like we, your regulars. Let's face it, he is amazing on so many levels and his looks are one of them. It is so apparent....duh! We all struggle to keep it cool, but sometimes the man is so incredibly adorable that we cannot help ourselves. We are human, so there ya go. I surely would never say anything that would embarrass that dear man, and most of y'all would surely say the same.
Flipping Out is one of my guilty pleasures as well. I was stoked to hear that it is one of Anderson's as well. Yay! I find it hilarious and sometimes annoying, but as Anderson himself relayed, it does make for some good tv. That guy takes "high maintenance" to an whole new level! I love to laugh at him and his crazy requests. His staff have to be saints! Well, except for that dude that got busted and fired. LOL.
Yes, add me to the number of people who knew that Anderson was gonna get busted by Dina Lohan. When he reiterated how the are a total train wreck, I lost it laughing. He is hilarious. I also love the fact that we get to see the opinionated side of him. I always knew he had a lot to say about things like this, glad R&K provides him a forum for this. So funny!
This appearance was the best ever for him on R&K. He is so comfy and relaxed and I love the fact that he is letting the wit roll. Awesome! You go Anderson!
Lastly, I know that i have said this before, but ATA was the first blog I ever found about Anderson and I have continued to be a daily reader. There never was and never will be a better, more respectable site. Nor a more hardworking staff. You all know I love you, but I just wanted to say it again.
Rock on and All The Best!
@ Jaanza...The Tom Foreman thing 360 copied from Campbell Brown's show. She shows a whole comment from both candidates then Foreman breaks it down. 360 did not come up with it Campbell did.
Did you all see that Michael Lohan has now put out a statement that was not too nice towards Anderson? He better stop while he's ahead! These people don't play nice and may pull something out of the closet, if you will!
Phebe, your response to anon 1:44 is priceless and right on target. We all know that this is a well-run and respectable blog. I've heard worse things about Anderson, mainly about his so-called lack of credibility as a journalist, that I find FAR more offensive than some fun little comments about his good looks - I'm glad you aren't giving in to certain sanctimonious posters (I think Peter used to have the same problem with similar posters at ACE) who have no sense of fun or humor. Even AC is capable of a little salacious fun every now and then if you really listen closely. Lighten up people!
I actually watched the whole show last night for the first time in awhile. Love Tom Foreman, we don't get to see enough of him.
I hate to admit it, but Paris Hilton was actually pretty funny.
Thanks for the R&K clips since I don't get the show here. Love all the Andergiggles, haven't heard those in awhile. I guess Anderson and I could never watch TV together, we seem to have completely different tastes. I don't watch any of those shows! I'll just have to be content with watching him. :-)
Anon 4:02 - I didn't know the Tom Foreman reports were done earlier, but they were well worth repeating on 360.
I was also surprised Anderson didn't comment more on the Paris presidential video, however he did get a couple of snarky looks in there.
Jaanza
Personally I like and appreciate anderson just the way he is on 360.
I may be in the minority but I find R@K very boring, whether anderson is hosting or not. Kelly tries to dominate the conversation no matter who the host is, but at least she isn't as bad as Kathy Lee, who spoke endlessly about her children!
I don't appreciate it when AC guest hosts on R@K. He seems to be abandoning serious journalism, which is why we repected him in the first place, for utter nonsense. I'm not the least bit interested in his "humourless wit and banalities." TV is loaded with that and he should know better.
@anonymous 6:39 ,
He seems to be abandoning serious journalism, which is why we respected him in the first place...
I beg to differ with you on this point. What attracted me to AC was his ability to show his sense of humor and snark, while delivering the news. But that was back in the old World News Now days at ABC and the early days at CNN. Then he stood out as different, now his reporting has become more mainstream. What we see when AC co-hosts Live is the AC I enjoy more.
Phebe, I don't think any of the "naughty" comments were disrespectful or inappropriate. I appreciate your hardwork and sense of humor. I'm sure Anderson is aware of the fact that people think he's hot.
Speaking of "hot," I found the Paris Hilton political shot at McCain, clever. She probably hired someone to do it, but she comes across very well and she makes her point, McCain is old and she's well, not and yes, hot. She's also right as in he is old and shouldn't be using her and she is a Celebrity, like her or not.
@ anon 6:19- yeah I agree. R&K just doesn't do it for me. I like Anderson's sense of humor, but R&K is too fluffy for me. Unlike anon 6:39, I think Anderson is very witty, when he gets the chance to talk. I don't think he's abandoning journalism at all, and I understand that many people like to see him on R&K because he shows that witty side that we don't see so much on AC360, but I worry that this co-hosting gig could fuel the fire of his critics.
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