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Friday Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 09:35:23 PM EST
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Conan O'Brien sighs off tonight. The NY Times has quotes from his monologue and the text of his entire closing. He takes the high road, particularly with respect to NBC. A snippet:

To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I’ll think about it for the rest of my life. All I ask of you is one thing: please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism — it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn’t lead anywhere.

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.

I'm going to tune in later just to watch him deliver them. (Of course, since I am cynical, I have to add that if I had just been handed $30 million, I'd be feeling charitable towards everyone too.)

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Friday Night Open Thread | 76 comments (76 topical)

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    According to NPR yesterday, condition of (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 09:54:00 PM EST
    the $30,000,000 severance was no criticism of NBC.

    Doesn't start until after tonight (none / 0) (#7)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 10:23:38 PM EST
    He could say what he wanted tonight.

    Parent
    NBC exit interview on the air live (none / 0) (#12)
    by Cream City on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 10:54:13 PM EST
    -- I love it.

    Parent
    If I had $30 mil (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by shoephone on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 10:22:25 PM EST
    I'd be the nicest, least cynical person ever. I could spend the rest of my life working on the Great American Novel...

    I like Conan and I hope he gets a good late-night show somewhere else.

    I would like to think (none / 0) (#8)
    by Peter G on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 10:36:52 PM EST
    that if I had just been paid $30 million not to work for 9 months, I would be giving at least half to charity.  How much for Haiti?  How much for the ACLU?

    Parent
    Introducing (5.00 / 4) (#13)
    by nycstray on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:02:41 PM EST
    The lil' Dude aka TLD

    Not so little; eyes wide open, and look (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:55:22 PM EST
    at all that hair!

    Parent
    Congrats to all (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by ap in avl on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 02:24:54 AM EST
    Here's wishing all the best to the little guy, Mom, Dad, and all who care for him.

    Parent
    So precious (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 06:14:05 AM EST
    Just gorgeous

    Parent
    Congrats! He's a cutie pie. (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by Angel on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 09:48:53 AM EST


    Parent
    You're a great-aunt! Congratulations! (none / 0) (#15)
    by caseyOR on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:06:57 PM EST
    He is so cute. All the best to the mom and the new grandma.

    I trust mom and baby are both doing well. Does he have a name yet?

    Parent

    Thanks! yes, they are all doing well! (5.00 / 3) (#19)
    by nycstray on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:21:59 PM EST
    this started a couple days ago, and they are all just getting back into slept reality before he comes home tomorrow. My mom was there for 2 days with her and was there for the birth etc. That's her phone pic. Just had a long conversation with my mom and she sounds a bit more together, lol!~

    His name is Gabriel Matthew, 7lbs 13oz ;)

    My Dad is also very excited. He's in a rehab home right now and working hard at his PT to get home. His first great grandson is d@mn good motivation {huge grin}


    Parent

    Beautiful name too (none / 0) (#78)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Jan 24, 2010 at 08:50:37 AM EST


    Parent
    cute! (none / 0) (#16)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:10:01 PM EST
    Congrats and enjoy!

    Parent
    Thanks! (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by nycstray on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:24:20 PM EST
    just a few weeks before I'm there to cuddle the heck outta him {grin}

    Parent
    Finally! (none / 0) (#17)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:18:02 PM EST
    I've been looking for news about his arrival, so am thrilled to see him; he's as cute as a bug (which is a good thing!).

    Congrats to Mom and baby and to his favorite aunt!

    Parent

    My whole famiy was saying (none / 0) (#21)
    by nycstray on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:29:13 PM EST
    FINALLY! 2 day ordeal, lol!~

    Nuttin' like new lil' one {huge grin}. Can't wait to start my great aunt duties ;)

    Parent

    Aunt/Uncle.... (none / 0) (#39)
    by kdog on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 07:21:57 AM EST
    best job in the world...all the fun, none of the parental responsibility...enjoy the little man stray!

    He is a big baby...looks like a future middle linebacker!

    Parent

    His daddy is a decent size (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by nycstray on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 09:10:47 AM EST
    and was a 9lb baby. Niece is thankful TLD was under 8lbs, lol!~ I've already gotten some Yankee gear for him and now getting ready to order some Green gear for him. Certain members of the family would have no prob if he grew up to be a middle linebacker or any other position :)

    Parent
    J-E-T-S..... (none / 0) (#48)
    by kdog on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 09:44:19 AM EST
    Jets Jets Jets!!!    

    No San Diego P.D. around so I can say that:)

    Hope ya got 'em a Revis...did ya hear Bloomberg renamed Manhattan Island Revis Island?  Pretty Cool.

    Parent

    I was thinking Revis would be a good one :) (none / 0) (#51)
    by nycstray on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 10:23:16 AM EST
    or I could customize one and use SG's # and put "da Bowling Ball" where the name goes since they are kinda similar in shape/size {grin} His Daddy is a Raiders fan, which is pretty funny these days. Luckily, I'm an old school Raider fan, so silver n' black will be ok by me when they have some players worth supporting  ;)

    I did see the rename :) City is pretty hyped about this. You'd think tomorrow was the SB, lol!~

    Parent

    I see the Jets... (none / 0) (#60)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 01:08:00 PM EST
    ...official team store is already selling AFC Championship stuff.  Kind of putting the horse before the cart, no?  What's next--Sanchise lounging by the pool at a Miami hotel guaranteeing a SB victory?  

    The Nathen's ad about giving Rex (greatest coach ever!) a spot in the hot dog eating contest if they win was pretty good.  

    Parent

    All the teams have it available (none / 0) (#74)
    by nycstray on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 05:18:55 PM EST
    for pre-order. Has nothing to do with the Jets, it's an NFL thing :)

    I haven't seen the Nathan's ad. I'll have to hunt it down . . . .

    Parent

    Just checked the Colts store... (none / 0) (#75)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 06:14:17 PM EST
    ...and they don't have any AFC Champ stuff yet.  The Vikings don't either--although oculus can get a Percy Harvin Offensive ROY t-shirt there.

    Do you know what SG's nickname was at Iowa?

    Parent

    Here ya go (none / 0) (#77)
    by nycstray on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 06:51:39 PM EST
    NFL Shop Jets shop may have decided to do it independent of the team, I thought I heard that Ryan was unaware. I saw the 4 team pre-orders when I was hunting for Jets gear for TLD on several sites. Big bucks there ;)

    So, what was SG's nic @ Iowa? I'm thinking of also making a custom shirt that says "The Sanchize" for TLD since they're both rookies {grin} Be kinda funny to put it on the back of his diapers, but it will be baseball season when he starts crawling, so I'm  going to have to think of something fun for that . . .

    Parent

    LAT on the life and career of actress (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 12:13:29 AM EST
    Jean Simmons:  link

    I really liked her in the role (none / 0) (#64)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 01:40:50 PM EST
    of Fee in the Thorn Birds.  It was one of my favorite books in my teens, so full of angst and the plagues of being female as well as human fraility and strength. I thought they casted her role in the miniseries perfectly.

    Parent
    I enjoyed the book and the miniseries. (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 02:04:42 PM EST
    don't remember Jean Simmons, as I was fascinated by Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward.

    Parent
    Greenwald is on a roll today and (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 11:23:06 AM EST
    yesterday re SCOTUS "Citizens United" opinion.  He has an amazing ability to distill complexity into understandable prose.  

    Could not agree more. (none / 0) (#1)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 09:49:49 PM EST
    I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere.

    Too bad there's so very much of it.

    Ya gotta be at least a little cynical.... (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by kdog on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 07:25:14 AM EST
    In moderation, like all things.

    Parent
    I think my cynicism (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 08:07:54 AM EST
    is at a new high today.

    Parent
    Moderation... (5.00 / 3) (#45)
    by kdog on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 08:12:13 AM EST
    was never my strong suit either kid:)

    Parent
    Time for opera on KUSC FM. (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 11:08:36 AM EST
    First hour:  all Montserrate Caballe.  Then rebroadcast of Met's "Vanessa" by Samuel Barber.

    Parent
    Music does make everything (none / 0) (#62)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 01:33:15 PM EST
    better, somehow doable, doesn't it?

    Parent
    Yes, although there is no happy (none / 0) (#63)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 01:35:55 PM EST
    ending here, natch.  It's opera.

    Parent
    Anyone tried the new Dominos? (none / 0) (#3)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 10:10:43 PM EST
    I never did like Dominos but delivered pizza serves a purpose sometimes, so anyone tried it and been impressed?

    Not I. (none / 0) (#4)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 10:19:05 PM EST
    But, you'd think it couldn't really get any worse.

    You don't have any decent local delivery?

    Parent

    We have Hungry Howies (none / 0) (#36)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 06:15:55 AM EST
    They are decent.  Looking for another choice if Dominos has improved though.  When my husband gets back I'll be living with two pizza maniacs.

    Parent
    I never buy their pizza (none / 0) (#5)
    by shoephone on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 10:20:23 PM EST
    because the owner is a fanatical pro-lifer. It's the one political pizza boycott I stick to.

    Is their pepperoni and mushroom tasty?

    :-)

    Parent

    That joker sold the company (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by Radiowalla on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:37:43 PM EST
    about ten years ago, but I still don't buy anything from them on principle.   I have a long memory and I hold grudges.

    Parent
    I tried it (none / 0) (#18)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:19:20 PM EST
    I couldn't tell any difference.  They may have added a little garlic to the crust, but the rest was pretty much the same cardboard they always had.

    I did try their online ordering when I ordered my pizza.  Too cute that you could watch your pizza's progress.

    But if you didn't like Dominoes before, you probably won't like it now.

    I'll stick with Papa Murphy's

    Parent

    For Denver delivery (none / 0) (#24)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:54:49 PM EST
    I like Anthony's. It's not Ray's in NY, but like a sixth cousin, which is all you can ask for 2,000 miles away.

    Parent
    Anthony's has quite the little... (none / 0) (#69)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 02:22:24 PM EST
    ...empire now.  I didn't realize they had so many locations!  

    I like Angelo's (the Kitchen Sink), Pasquini's and Attivo's for take and bake and subs.

    Parent

    You are like our little Denver (none / 0) (#72)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 02:46:49 PM EST
    urbanite, andgarden does NY, Atrios in Philly :)

    Parent
    I love love love Papa Murphys (none / 0) (#37)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 06:20:05 AM EST
    Don't have one here though.  The stuffed pizza and calzones are incredible.  I finally have a convection oven too, and no Papa Murphys.

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#34)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 05:43:57 AM EST
    we ordered it not too long ago. Much better than in previous years.

    Parent
    We will check it out then tonight (none / 0) (#38)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 06:24:35 AM EST
    Pizza and movies, this new laptop came with a freebie device bundled in, something that allows me to use the T.V. screen as its screen.  Was thinking about going through Netflix and trying it out.

    Parent
    Wow (none / 0) (#41)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 07:29:30 AM EST
    we do the netflix on the desktop and the lap top but don't know how to get it on the TV screen. It might be that our TV doesnt have the abilty. The kids love it but the view now selection hasn't been that great. Hulu works too.

    YOu'll have to let us know what you think about the pizza.

    Parent

    I tried it (none / 0) (#59)
    by addy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 12:41:19 PM EST
    and though I thought the old stuff was truly horrible. I chalked it up to the local Dominos just not being able to cook.
    The new pizza is much better and I'd order it again.

    Parent
    Jeralyn... (none / 0) (#9)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 10:41:35 PM EST
    ...have you seen this?

    While this sounds reasonable...

    She said employers and courts view medical marijuana the same way they view other prescription drugs: they may be legal, but that doesn't mean you can be impaired by them while on the job.

    ...is the City under an obligation to provide accommodation for his condition under ADA?

    D*ck move... (5.00 / 3) (#43)
    by kdog on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 07:43:25 AM EST
    by the city employee, imo.  Gonna jeapordize the medical mj thang in its infancy in Denver just to skirt the responsibility for his accident.

    Thats something I don't like...people sayin' "not my fault, it was substance x".  C'mon...take responsibility for yourself.

    If your condition, and medicaton for same, makes you unable to do your job, isn't that what light-duty and disability is for?

    Parent

    With all the different meds (none / 0) (#73)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 02:50:24 PM EST
    out there we must all be responsible for self.  The only thing I know of that legit makes people do things they have no control over is Ambien.  That should probably only be used in extreme cases now since there are other options, hopefully it is.

    Parent
    They have control... (none / 0) (#79)
    by kdog on Mon Jan 25, 2010 at 07:38:15 AM EST
    of whether to pop that pill or not...you gotta know yourself enough to know if you can handle it.

    Parent
    Are you chastising me? (none / 0) (#10)
    by shoephone on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 10:42:02 PM EST
    I didn't say anything about hoarding the money. I already donate money to charities every single year, I volunteer at a shelter every week, and I'm sure I would continue those practices.

    And guess what? I would still have a lot left over to live on while I write.

    Is that morally acceptable to you?

    I don't think Peter (none / 0) (#11)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 10:45:52 PM EST
    is chastising you. I think that was directed at Conan.

    Parent
    Exactly right, Jeralyn (none / 0) (#46)
    by Peter G on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 09:03:41 AM EST
    Sorry if it seems otherwise, Shoey.  Not my intent at all.

    Parent
    I've never cared for him, and that unease (none / 0) (#14)
    by seabos84 on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:06:18 PM EST
    made sense once I learned which side of the tracks both of us are from.
    Oh well. Some of my friends and family think leno is a lout and like conan - and some think conan is a smug little ...whatever... and like leno.

    I say tomotoe, you say potatoe

    rmm.


    And I say (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by Radiowalla on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:39:21 PM EST
    a pox on both of them.

    Parent
    'a plague on both your houses' (none / 0) (#27)
    by seabos84 on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:59:02 PM EST
    as THE best writer put it a few years ago...

    rmm.

    Parent

    Steve Carrell doing the exit interview (none / 0) (#26)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:55:51 PM EST
    should be funny.

    it wasn't (none / 0) (#28)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:59:11 PM EST
    and Conan's constant laughing isn't funny either. Not sure I've missed much not watching the show the past 7 months.

    Parent
    I barely stayed awake... (none / 0) (#70)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 02:30:41 PM EST
    ...for Neil Young last night.  I've never seen him perform Long May You Run before.  Pretty good stuff, even if it was solo acoustic.  

    The Stills Young Band album of the same name was/is a great disc.  

    Parent

    On Conan (none / 0) (#30)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 12:16:11 AM EST
    Tom Hanks just said he was on his way to the Haiti telethon and was cutting it so close a cop car was taking him to get through the traffic. He sounded serious. I didn't know LA police were available for celebrity transport duty.

    You didn't know that? They'll do anything (none / 0) (#49)
    by Angel on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 09:48:07 AM EST
    if you're famous enough.  Pathetic.

    Parent
    We flew through LA airport (none / 0) (#52)
    by Cream City on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 10:25:35 AM EST
    the day before the Michael Jackson funeral.  Guess what?  In this era of such concern about homeland security, it also flew out the window for the feds when celebrities are nigh.  It was ridiculous.

    Parent
    Years ago I messed up driving to (none / 0) (#53)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 10:49:29 AM EST
    Music Center in LA at night.  Ended up on skid row.  A female LAPD in a marked car asked me where I was going and got me back on track.  Much appreciated.  I am not a celebrity!

    Parent
    You're famous on this site! (5.00 / 3) (#55)
    by Angel on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 10:50:53 AM EST


    Parent
    A diary providing the evidence (none / 0) (#42)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 07:36:10 AM EST
    that things with Geithner and Bernanke are just as bad as most of us thought it was.  It was nice that Obama gave us a fig leaf Volcker rule, but existing economic realities are much much worse than anything a Volcker rule can address.  The banks are blatantly insolvent.

    Today's NYT says many banks will (none / 0) (#56)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 10:50:58 AM EST
    start charging for checking account due to new rules re ATM and debit cards.  

    Parent
    They can go ahead and make the (none / 0) (#65)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 01:47:57 PM EST
    threats.  Whoever does it cheapest or free will get rushed with business.  If they are so broke they can't compete with credit unions that aren't broke and weren't out of their minds stupid, you aren't going to see me crying for any of them.  There has to be a reward somewhere for having an ethic of some sort.  Those making these threats are too broke to start losing depositors but at this point they are so vain I'm sure they'll cut their noses off to spite their own faces until they notice that it is only helping to kill them and their POOR businesses and POOR business practices off faster.

    Parent
    And guess who my kid (none / 0) (#66)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 01:50:48 PM EST
    just opened a new account with?  Bank of America!  I was not consulted :)

    Parent
    Ha. (none / 0) (#67)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 01:53:32 PM EST


    Parent
    Plouffe is baaaack: (none / 0) (#61)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 01:23:56 PM EST
    AP

    Wow (none / 0) (#71)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 02:42:18 PM EST
    Look at this crap.  I knowingly went water skiing and horseback riding when I was in early pregnancy because a fetus is really pretty buffered in there, especially when it is still little and also at the stage where I could spontaneously abort due to anomalies or defects as a suspected majority of conceptions are.  I suppose I should be on probation or something.  Considering the rate of spontaneous abortion and how easily anyone can attempt to construe something that a woman did contributing to her miscarrying in the state of Utah, this is just NUTS.  It is nothing but witch hunting.  Utah, trying to compete with the Salem witch trials.

    It is nuts... (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Jan 23, 2010 at 06:17:54 PM EST
    ...and it's going to be on the ballot here this November.  

    Sponsored by pro-life activist organization Personhood USA as part of a national campaign, ballot initiative 25 would amend the state constitution in more than 20,000 places, granting even the cells of a fertilized egg full legal rights while working to effectively limit the rights of pregnant women. Legal experts say the law would lead to outlandish and oppressive applications.



    Parent
    Friday Night Open Thread | 76 comments (76 topical)

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