Meredith Vieira left Today earlier this month to spend more time with her family. (She said she wouldn’t miss that early morning wake-up call, either.)
Kudos to Meredith for knowing that exiting the show was the right thing for her.
I wonder if Matt Lauer needs some time for that same kind of personal reflection?
Hmmm….
Posted in Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Television, TV
Tagged celebrities, commentary, entertainment, Humor, Jim Carrey, life, Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Mr. Popper's Penguins movie, NBC, New York City, Television, Today, Today Show, TV
Windowless Room. Day Three.
I’m free!
It’s been a race to the airport since I escaped the confines of my meeting room today. The only story I’ve been subjected to – and I use that phrase with purposeful intent – is Today’s coverage of Charlie Sheen’s latest antics at a New York City hotel.
I remember when Today wasn’t so easily confused with Entertainment Tonight. Or Access Hollywood. Or a tabloid at the checkout counter of my neighborhood bodega.
Now Today is the first to jump on any story that contains even a hint of celebrity scandal, and belabor every detail with people whose “expertise” is as suspect as the newsworthiness of the story.
Take Charlie’s situation today.
Apparently he is traveling with his ex-wife Denise Richards and their two kids, and was entertaining a woman in his room — separate hotel rooms, since they are divorced. But his guest got freaked by his behavior and called for help.
Charlie spent a day in the hospital, but is already back on set.
But to hear Meredith Vieira and the supposed relationship expert tell the tale, Charlie Sheen’s mere presence in the hotel with Denise and his two kids was practically child abuse.
Going on little information and a lot of emotion, they declared him an unfit parent, a danger to his children and pretty much decided in their television court of law, that he should be denied access.
Wow — and to think I used to watch Today for the news.
Posted in Airplanes, Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, News, Television, Travel, TV
Tagged Access Hollywood, airplanes, celebrities, celebrity scandal, Charlie Sheen, child abuse, commentary, Denise Richards, entertainment, Entertainment Tonight, Humor, life, Meredith Vieira, New York City, news, relationship expert, tabloid television, Television, television court, Today, Today Show, Travel, TV, unfit parent
Final answer
Yesterday I mentioned I was doing something that scared me. As it turned out, that ‘thing’ stretched into today as well.
Two days, you say? The show only lasts a half hour.
You are correct. I spent two days in holding, waiting to be selected to play the game.
Holding is a small room with couches and two windows. You can’t use your cellphone or the Internet or have any contact with the outside world. The game show producers keep all potential contestants sequestered there to eliminate any appearance or chance of cheating.
I did finally get to meet Meredith and play the show late this afternoon. She is as nice as she appears; I made her laugh so hard at one point, they had to stop tape — that’s a personal point of pride.
I can’t talk about the questions I received or reveal the outcome of my game; all I’m legally able to say is “tune in next year” (which is when my episode will most likely air).
When I am notified of the air date, I’ll pass it along.
Everyone watching? Now, that’s really scary.
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Posted in Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Television, TV
Tagged air date, celebrities, cellphone, commentary, contestant, entertainment, episode, game show contestant, game shows, Humor, Internet, life, Meredith Vieira, producer, Television, television green room, television holding room, TV, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire