Khan

Dear God, if we end up in a war with Great Britain....

I apologize if this has been posted already. WH Plans Tillerson Ouster from State Dept., To Be Replaced by Pompeo

Same.

I think David Jacobs, an avowed movie buff, would appreciate your drawing such an analogy. IA with Soaplovers: KNOTS always had stories that, for whatever reason, didn't work, but the lowest the show ever reaches in terms of quality is the front half of S13. By that point, the Lechowicks (and later, James Stanley) had left to work on "Homefront." (Mimi Kennedy, who had served as one of KL's story editors, left for "Homefront" as well, but as an actress.) Their successor, John Romano, who had worked previously on "Hill Street Blues," was just all wrong for KNOTS. A number of story threads that the Lechowicks and their team had left behind veered WAY off-track; and what Romano himself was responsible for...well...let's just say, prepare to hear the words "Tidal Energy" a lot. (I mean, A LOT.) According to Ann Marcus' autobiography, things got so bad under Romano that Jacobs was forced to shut down production temporarily in an attempt to reverse course. Marcus, who had been one of the chief architects of the Ciji Dunne story, was brought back. The show stabilized, and the back half of S13 was good, if not a full return to classic form for KNOTS. CBS renewed KNOTS for a 14th season. However, in order to stay under budget, the episode order was reduced (to 19) and cast members' episode guarantees were cut as well. (Michele Lee was the ONLY regular cast member to appear in every episode in that season.) In turn, budget constraints, as well as the absence of another, veteran cast member (won't say who), hamstrung the overall storytelling, IMO. To quote TV Guide, KNOTS, in S14, just seemed to be very limp. Subsequently, when the finale did air, I was sad to see it go, but I also knew it was time. Of the four major primetime soaps from the '80's -- DALLAS, DYNASTY, FALCON CREST and KNOTS -- I've always felt that KNOTS was the most like their daytime counterparts in terms of its' emphasis on character over plot or spectacle. DALLAS emphasized characters and relationships as well; however, with some exception, DALLAS was a pretty static show. (J.R. vs. Bobby, J.R. vs. Sue Ellen, J.R. vs. Pam and Cliff, J.R. vs. everybody else; lather, rinse, repeat.) KNOTS, on the other hand, always appeared willing to remain fresh and be different, and to grow, without sacrificing the core that Jacobs had established at the start. Sometimes, the growth was good for the show; and sometimes, the growth wasn't. But, as one book suggests, it was that "willingness to evolve" that kept KNOTS as a viewer favorite long after the other primetime soaps had faded. As for why LML ultimately failed at Y&R...? You COULD argue that she needed her husband to work alongside her as a Co-HW, since her track record without him is spotty, IMO. But I think it actually boils down to these basic facts: not every writer is capable of doing great work in every medium; and not every TV writer is cut out for every show.

I didn't even consider Brian Williams, but no, I wouldn't be surprised either. Williams could return from the "Siberia" of cable news with the narrative of being the humbled anchorman seeking a chance at redemption. He might not regain the evening spot, but he could use the surprising and unlikely "Today" gig as the springboard toward becoming a sort of male Barbara Walters for NBC, hosting and producing news and interview specials and the like. You know, I'd actually welcome that? Bryant Gumbel is a prick, but he (and Jane Pauley) also lent "Today" a certain gravitas that, IMO, they've never quite recaptured.

Just think: Carson Daly could end up being the new co-host at "Today." Carson. [!@#$%^&*]. Daly.

Tell 'em, Bette! I hated how that [!@#$%^&*] got swept under the old rug when this interview first appeared...and I hate it now.

Agree. Exactly. For that matter, why is it so awful to say "Happy Holidays" in case someone is not a Christian? Or are Christian holidays the only ones that matter in this country? (Don't answer, it's a rhetorical question, lol.)

Allow me to echo Julia's sentiments, Amy, and express how bad I feel for you. Hearing these allegations about all these men cannot be easy for you. I just hope you're taking care of yourself throughout all this.

I've got to hand it to these people. The switch appears absolutely seamless. God, I hope so, lol.

Garrison Keillor? As in, "Prairie Home Companion"? As in, Lake Wobegon and Guy Noir? THAT Garrison Keillor? REALLY??

I always feel like people have to feign shock in order to cover their proverbial asses. They can't say, "Well, I knew this would happen sooner or later," because, if they do, then others will ask, "Well, if you KNEW, then why didn't you say something before now?"

You know, if I were one of the 17,000 male co-anchors on GMA, I'd be worried af right now.

My sentiments exactly, lol. Frankly, I don't think this (meaning, of course, Lauer's firing) would have happened had "Today"'s lead in the morning show race been as solid as it had been in years past. But, with "Good Morning America" and even "CBS This Morning" gaining on them, I feel like the situation was ripe to give Lauer more than just a stern talking-to and maybe time off for rehab at some sex addiction clinic. And to think: everyone was so sure Megyn Kelly would be gone first.

IA (with you, with dragonflies and with Amy).

IA. Especially in regards to HRC. To me, it seems as if people (and women in particular) have finally begun to push back against the "crooked" narrative that has dogged her for decades. They see what all the years of innuendo and outright lies have cost not just her but this country as a whole and they've said, "Enough"!

Now, her story makes sense (to me, anyway). And yes, I believe her. Thanks, Amy!

I think I might have been blindsided by the fact that he's a Gold Star dad (right?) and that military people, especially parents of fallen soldiers, haven't been too happy with Trump. It never occurred to me that Kelly would politicize his own son's death and denigrate an AA congresswoman in order to prop up his boss. If anything, H.R. Pufnstuf McMaster, who I still think is an absolute kook, looks to be more like what I had expected Kelly to be: namely, someone to call Trump out on his b.s.

I'm with Wendy: I won't believe this is happening until the prison doors close on Trump and his associates and they're each taking turns being Schillinger's new bitch. I think he's just trying to snatch some attention away from the "Roseanne" revival. Besides, at this point, that kind of tape means nothing to Trump Nation. I am SO over General Kelly. He's proven himself to be as scummy as the rest.

The pain of having a white man cut off your foot to keep you from escaping the plantation again ain't nothing compared to the indignity of dealing with Trump supporters on Twitter.

Exactly. But, most of the other stuff you've mentioned is beyond his cognitive abilities, if you know what I'm saying? Plus, like you suggested, he's employing diversionary tactics to keep the focus off (what else) Russia. So, that's why, with all the crises exploding right now in all sectors of our government, he's treating us to lies about magazine covers and feuds with people like LeVar Burton.

Agree.

Meanwhile... Oliver Stone Responds to Melissa Gilbert Harassment Allegations IDK what to think about this one. On the one hand, I DEFINITELY think Oliver Stone has the capacity to behave like a pervert and misogynist. But...she read the audition sides, right? So, she should've known what kind of movie and role she was auditioning for...right? Regardless, the thought of Half-Pint asking anyone to "do her" just skeezes me out. (Pa Ingalls is gonna tan that girl's hide if and when he finds out!)