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So... what's been going on in the news?

The World Trade Center tragedy is the most horrible thing that has ever happened here in the US. I have nothing but sympathy and prayers for everyone affected by the terrorism. I don't want to be disrespectful to the victims and survivors of this tragedy.. but my way of dealing with things is to be funny. I need a release.. we all need to get away from the carnage for a while and enjoy ourselves. Otherwise, we'll all go crazy.

The only thing about this whole situation that made me laugh is the news coverage. The national networks did an ok job (For the most part.. the only beef I really have with them is the increasingly moronic Dan Rather who quoted "an ancient Oriental proverb that says, 'Revenge is best served cold.'" Dammit, Dan.. there's a HUGE difference between revenge and justice.).

Dan Rather's lack of professionalism aside, the most ridiculous thing was the local news. Watching the coverage, there was a palpable feeling that the local teams were just chomping at the bit... praying for an excuse to break in and act like they're big shots. Having worked in local television for years, I'm pretty sure there were quite a few anchors across the nation sitting at the desk in the studio pouting. "But, but.. it's five o'clock! It's my turn to be on tv! Waaaaaaahh! Boo-hoo for me! Where's my airtime!?"

So they took over the bottom part of the screen rolling local headlines. Like there's anything going on here in Nashville that is worth mentioning while planes are crashing into the biggest buildings in New York City. I fully expected to look up at the 14,576,329th replaying of the second crash and see scrolling across the screen: "From the newsroom: At this hour, T-E-M-A reports no end in sight for construction on I-24..." Well, duh. "Planet Hollywood closes it's doors (a city mourns)..." Whoop-dee-doo!

Not satisfied with merely cluttering up the already congested screen with their drivel, they go the extra mile to squeeze a local angle out of the terrorism. The national feed is squeezed back into a box on the screen with the audio low.. the local kids have a little box in the corner: "Hello. I'm Bob Localguy interrupting Tom Brokaw for this special report. Actually, I just got a new haircut and wanted to see what it looked like on camera." Then they go out to the airport to show video of pissed off people sitting around watching CNN. Thanks, local news idiots, but I can see that live right here in my living room.

Later in the day they figured out a way to justify breaking in live again.. they'd woken Governor Sundquist from his coma and propped him up in front of a microphone. He was in a daze. Reporters were firing away with the stupidest questions ever. I was fully expecting them to ask; "What steps have been taken to protect Tennessee from invasion by Arkansas?" "Do you have a contingency plan in case the Bellcourt Theatre falls into enemy hands?" "Will the National Guard be deployed to protect Opry Mills?" "How will we defend the Grand Ole Opry?" "Is the Parthenon in jeopardy?"

At least David Letterman brought class back to television. If you missed the Late Show on Monday, September 17, man did you miss something special. That's all there is to it. Dave knows exactly what to say when there's NOTHING you can possibly say. He's a hilarious comedian, a seasoned broadcaster, a legend in late night, a comedic genius.. but most importantly, a great man. A good person. I can't possibly put into words the amount of respect and admiration I have. I'm proud to say he's my hero.

If you did miss it, the video and audio clips are up at www.cbs.com/lateshow/ under "Dave TV." His speech is under 'Dave's Monologues' (realaudio), and 'Big Show Highlight' (realvideo). The Dan Rather interview is also under BSH. A transcript of Dave's opening remarks is at David Yoder's site.

Michael Jackson is doing his part to help out the WTC victims.. he's putting together another song (kinda like "We are the world") called "What more can i give".... What more can you give? I dunno. you've got an amusement park in your back yard, how 'bout you give some of your own damn money? I'm eating Raman Noodles every day.

Mike's got a bunch of friends helping him out on this one: Destiny's Child, Britney Spears, N'Sync, Backstreet Boys... ya know, if all these crappy, TRL-happy, cheesy-ass disposable pop groups can come together for the good of man.. can't we ALL come together as a people? Huh? HUH?