Thumbs Down....

Thumbs down doesn't really cut it,
But...

If anyone really needed another reason to start the New Year by dumping any piece of music from Chris Brown his recent homophobic comments on twitter might be do the trick...

Thumbs Down: The View

At the risk of sounding hypocritical, I have to give a big thumbs down to The View. If you read FH at all you know I have zero tolerance for cruelty and Kathy Griffin certain laces cruelty within her humour...but... The View, Elizabeth Hasselbeck in particular, are experts at holding a grudge and yesterday the show took it's opportunity to get back at Kathy for her last appearance on the show. Using your 'pulpit' to get back at guests who show you up in the form of a 'hot topic' is not very subtle. I await Kathy's rebuttal!

Thumbs Down: Human Beings

Anyone who clicked on yahoo today was greeted with the following headline:

'Tigers could be extinct in 12 years if unprotected'

'Their habitat is being destroyed by forest cutting and construction, and they are a valuable trophy for poachers who want their skins and body parts prized in Chinese traditional medicine.'

Why are we so stupid, truly. If this planet survives when those in the future read about human being from this century they will talk about how many things we ruined and how selfish, arrogant and ultimately...how stupid we were.

Full Story:

Thumbs Down: chi chi chia

I try not to use the word 'offensive'. It is a good year but has become overused and pretty much meaningless these days. There is not much someone does not find offensive...

That being said, I think the current presidential chi chi chia Obama really shows how the country has stooped to new lows. Presidents used to be restricted to coins and post cards. I am sure other political figures have been chi chiaed but for some reason this one, and the constant commercials for them seem... well...hmmm...that overused word above.

With Obama as a chia and Palin on a reality show the role of Commander and Chief is really taking a shift...downward!

Thumbs Down: Bashing of any group of people

I was going to post the other day on the blogger from Marie Clare writer who wrote a piece so caringly titled 'Should "Fatties" Get a Room?". I decided against it as I don't like to draw attention to such garbage. Then yesterday and again today the story seems to be everywhere so I thought I would put in my two cents.

The issue is not weight, no matter how the writer chose to spew it. The issue is again the word Dujour these days bullying. Somehow it has become ok to spew hate at any group of people and have it be ok. Thankfully about 99% of those who commented let her know it clearly it is not. I have been lucky to have never had a struggle with weight, but I did battle smoking for years until finally quitting a few years ago. I don't think there is anyone who cannot identify with battling some addiction at one time or another. The hypocrisy of this writer identifying herself as a former anorexic, also an eating disorder, is not lost on the reader I am sure.

Those who are defending this writer are missing the point IMO. Of course we all know that being obese is unhealthy and is an epidemic in North America, that is not up for debate. But...by implying they have no right to exist or been seen is not going to do anything but increase the self hate and therefore the eating. Like the writer, I have never watched a minute of Mike and Molly but...I do love Melissa McCarthy. I still miss her and the cast of Gilmore Girls and Melissa a talented beautiful actress.

Really Lady Gaga....Really

I have never been a huge fan of The Gaga. Now like the rest of the world,I see her talent, love some of her songs, and see in her a unique and brilliant artist. I also see in her something that does not quite ring true. I think Gaga is often 'making it up' as she goes along, claiming it was all a well laid out plan. I think watching her this week you could think either she is a true original with all her costume changes and statements or you could think she is desperately trying to grab and hold onto attention and headlines at any cost.

Her 'meat dress' this week was a great example. The dress could have been quite powerful if Gaga had the ability to clearly articulate what message she was trying put out there. It might also have been powerful if she had let the dress speak for itself. Instead she made various statements, some contrary, some making no sense about the meaning behind the outfit. From what holds us down to freedom to 'don't ask don't tell'.

As much as I admire her intent, she is truly at risk of becoming a joke within the industry. The woman is smart no doubt but I fear she is not quite as smart as most initially gave her credit for. Gaga does not seem able to simply attend an award show, instead she demands she be the center of attention. On stage or walking through an airport she refuses to simply be, but instead is always forcing us to look, to react. This is beginning to get tiring, not just for the audience but also for Gaga who has had health issues connected to exhaustion.

It was not left unnoticed by many how she interacts with other iconic women such as Cher who presented one of her awards this week(above). Cher, in her sixties, is still drawing attention decade after decade. Cher knows when to go out, do her work and grab attention. Cher also knows when to back off, lay low and disappear for awhile. By doing this, her audience remains interested. Gaga...take heed!

Thumbs Down: Oprah

If the show had not already jumped years ago I would say the shark was back for another chomp...

So O is flying her audience to Australia on a plane piloted by John Travota...
Australia I love, but not even a Travolta from the so bad it was good 'Staying Alive' era would make this stunt anything more than a desperate move to boost her faltering ratings.

Thumbs Down Y & R

Although not a regular watcher of 'The Young And The Restless' I do love me some Thad Luckinbill. Not only a beautiful man, also a talented actor the show has really wasted the past couple of years. Sad if the rumors are true he is getting the heave ho, he deserved better!

Speaking of Imperfections....

I try not to judge, truly but seriously Mel, seriously...

I so loved many of your movies but your DVD's are heading to the trash. I will keep 'Signs' because I so love the work of M Knight Shyamalan and that movie truly spoke to me. As they say on Total Bastard Airlines... "Buh-bye"

Thumbs Down: The Buzz around The World Cup

Above: Cristiano Ronaldo

I LOVE the world cup. I am catching up on games each night, in a betting pool at work and enjoying my sports fix now that the NHL playoffs are over. (I cannot get excited about baseball the way I can basketball and hockey). They are helping me to move on afer my down after the Winter Olympics. ;)

But...

CANNOT THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE SOUND!!!

The constant buzz from the plastic horns is truly ruining my viewing experience. I feel like a mosquito is constantly buzzing around my ears. It drives the players crazy and has made me watch with the sound off. Why cannot they either find a way to edit this noise pollution off the tv broadcasts or not allow the plastic horns in the stadiums.

Thumbs Down to Barbara Walters & 'The View'

I have a love hate relationship with 'The View' as many who read FH may know. I often dislike much of the show (and the women), yet DVR the show most days. I watch most of the shows I DVR, although often skip when Barbara Walters is on the panel. She bugs the shit out of me for some reason.

I think the show really sunk to new lows by having Mike Tyson on yesterday. (I also wondered if Elizabeth was not there for that very reason...). I love Whoopi, but she has a a bit of a pattern of defending the men in most cases (Tiger Woods, Chris Brown...). Joy at least seemed a bit uncomfortable with the whole thing.

I understand everyone needs a second chance but the way women chose to interview him, often as a victim was more than a bit disgusting. If you look not just a the rumors of what crimes Tyson has committed, but the actual offences he has been charged with you have to wonder why Walters and the show would have had him on. The actual interview did little to push Tyson on issues, but rather geared talk more towards his accomplishments and role as a mentor for youth. Really...Really.

All this in the same week where Elisabeth Hasselbeck had to say she was sorry to Erin Andrews (which she should have btw) for her remarks about her DWTS costumes. Although Robin Givens may not be the most likable of women, that should really not be a factor, yet it often comes up. For a show that describes themselves 'for and about women' The View certainly took two very large punches at a pair of women both of whom are largely known to the public for being victims themselves.

Way to go ladies!

Thumbs Down: TV Doctors

Above: Doogie!

I love television. But...I don’t just love to watch it, I love the business of television. My dream job would be the president of programming for a network. There is a science to it. Balancing quality with ratings. Whenever you have an art form in a business, especially one so grounded in profit, the pressure is high.

Below: Justin Chambers


I have noticed over the past several weeks I have been watching less and less televison. Partly because I have gotten much busier with work. Partly because I have gotten busier with life. Having a DVR is also a reason. The list of shows I had to watch live has dwindled to one or two. I still love a few shows, Glee being at the top of the list (although great to see some ballet on Glee, I would have re thought that last number...). The rest of my watching involves the DVR and the fast forward button.

Below: Mark Salling in Glee


I have been particularly disgusted lately by all the ‘doctors’ on tv. Not the hotties frequenting Seattle Grace or other fictional tv hospitals. I am talking about the ‘real’ doctors who now not only have begun to take over daytime televison, they have also begun to creep into prime time with Dr. Drew Pinskey, a constant stream of commercials for medications and doctors all over night time talk shows and cnn. Though good television blends money with art, it should not be balancing money with health and especially with fear.

It should be illegal to advertise drugs on tv and for that matter in all media. I find myself watching them thinking they are talking about me. (I mean don’t we all get nervous speaking in front of others). It seems you cannot sit down for a hour of tv without having to hear about heart attacks, erectile dysfunction, depression, mental illness and peeing just a wee bit when you giggle. I miss commercials selling jello and shampoo. Truly, if you were not depressed when you sat down, you would be by the time you were done. These ads cannot help but get into our minds. I really feel the few they may help are not as close the high numbers of those they actually harm.

I believe that doctors might make the occasional decent talk show guest. They should not however, actually be hosting their own talk shows. The conflict with this should be more than clear. In North America, the US in particular, health care is a business. It is money driven with doctors getting kick backs for prescribing certain medications and pharmaceutical companies having a terrifying amount of power. Some pharmaceutical companies fund medical schools, and in return there are expectations on the graduating students to be loyal to their products. It is beyond immoral that someone in need, in pain, can go to their doctor for help... only to have the help be somehow based on the doctor making a buck. Yes medical personal should be paid, and paid well. But...they should not be paid extra to push certain drugs and certain procedures over others. This system is prime for abuse with the patients, those most at need, the ones getting screwed.

It is no secret that getting universal health care has not been as simple as people just not wanting it. If you think there are not millions of dollars pushed into the fight each day by pharmaceutical and insurance companies you should know there are. Their goal is to stop it from happening so they don't lose the control they currently hold over the monopoly.

It is interesting to me that as Obama has pushed the issue to the forefront this past year (got to give a high five for Hillary for trying many years earlier, that at the same time, doctors are now all over our television screens. Some might argue the plus is that there are a lot of people getting free medical advice. To me, we are paying and there is nothing free about it.

There are many reasons for this trend but at the forefront is the ego of Oprah Winfrey. Her need to push her views down the throat of America led us to have Dr. Phil inflicted on us. She also brought us the much easier to swallow Dr. Oz, who though more likable is still a symbol of cash for caring. The Doctors (even with cutie Travis Stork) round out 3 hrs of doctors shoving a multitude of fact and an equal multitude of misinformation down our throats each day.

Below: Dr. Oz


I firmly believe all of these doctors, even Dr. Phil, began with good intentions. I also firmly believe that it is now ultimately money that is driving them all. I really do like Dr. Oz, but I was very disappointed recently that he was accompanying his wife on the talk show circuit to help her promote her book about their marriage. Yes, I know the book was about helping us ‘all’ with our marriages, but really... it was only written because women (and many men) lust after Dr. Oz and given she has him someone out there thought there was money in her words of wisdom.

Below: Travis Stork.


Dr. Phil is certainly the worst at exploiting his wife and son for profit. Both have books out (and there was no real reason for either to have written one except they are related to him). His son has his own projects shoved at us under the guise of helping. Dr. Phil’s interest in helping others is clearly near the bottom of his list of priorities. Exploiting others pain is closer to the top of the list. Dr. Phil never misses an opportunity to have his face front and center whenever a celebrity is in trouble. If Lindsay Lohan gets drunk at a party, you can bet Dr. Phil is going to pop up that night on Larry King to discuss it.



I recently met a girl who was quite traumatized by being dragged on the Jenny Jones show by her mother when she was just 6. She had no choice, no rights. She also has friends and family who stupidly think bringing out the video at holidays and get togethers is somehow funny. I suspect Jenny Jones, Maury, Dr. Phil and the lot are going to be spending a lot of time in court in the future. All those so called ‘adults’ who are on these shows discussing their unborn children (who da daddy?) may have to deal with a lot of anger when these babies reach their late teens and twenties. Dealing with the baggage and pain from being on these shows and having it followthem all of their lives may be something they want justice for. Can you imagine having the facts of your conception, the good and the ugly on a DVD that your friends and family can pull out whenever they get the notion? Kids need to know they were wanted, and having your life played out without your control on one of these shows would scare almost anyone for life.

Dr. Phil should have his licence to practice revoked. Oprah should be ashamed of inflicting him onto the world. It is one thing to bring us Nate to help us pick out our drapes, but bringing out doctors to fling around information that sometimes helps, sometimes misinforms and sometimes simply spreads fear is really quite unforgivable.

WTF: Brendan Fraser

I was 15 or 16 when I went to the movies to see 'School Ties'. So much to love about this move. Besides Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Chris O'Donnell, Cole Hauser and Randall Batinkoff the movie had me wishing I could be sent away to a private school. (Many other movies had me having this same dream).

Most of the cast is still looking mighty fine, but looks are not what this post is about. Seeing Brendan Fraser on tv this past week promoting his new film, 'Furry Vengeance' has been down right depressing. What on earth happened to Fraser? He mentioned on one show having a bit of a Red Bull addition and I hope that is all it is. Although Fraser continues to act, is now producing and has a family he appears out of his everlovin tree. Maybe he is just hyper, maybe he is just nervous doing live tv, but if I were his agent I would certainly pull him from doing any more press for this movie.

Another crush bites the dust...

Thumbs Down: ABC

Over the past decade ABC has been the network that has taken great chances with putting on unique and original television shows. Although ABC might wish to have a Law & Order or a CSI they do not. Not having such a show, or it's spin off has enabled ABC to take greater risks with their prime time line up. ABC has supported some wonderful prime time hour long dramas. Grey's Anatomy, Lost and Desperate Housewives have brought attention and ratings to the alphabet network. When these shows hit and become ratings giants, ABC is quick to support them with publicity and schedule consistency.

ABC has also launched some equally acclaimed shows which have not reached the rating highs of the shows mentioned above. Life on Mars, Pushing Daisy's were critically praised and earned the network respect and awards. ABC did not seem to care very much. As much as they take risks when putting on a new show, they don't seem to be able to follow it up with much support and protection. It is like taking care to find the right puppy for your home only to bring it home, tie it in the backyard and ignore it.



One such show ended last night. Some might say that Ugly Betty was done well by ABC. I would disagree. ABC should have known Betty never would get the ratings a Desperate Housewives would get. Betty was a success, a huge one. Just not big enough for ABC. Betty was well written, well acted and unique. It was embraced by critics and had legions of fans. While some might simply say the ratings dropped I would argue what was dropped was the ball...by ABC. Betty was special show a show that required attention, love and protection. It needed careful scheduling and publicity. ABC seems to have set this show adrift last season and never bothered to look for it. The cast of Betty was amazing and certainly cost much less than the huge cast of Grey's. Betty deserved better. Betty deserved at least another season or two. Betty deserved to reach 100. Betty, it's cast and it's fans though are far too nice. Sweet really, like the show the fans, although sad it is going are grateful for the 4 seasons it was given. I am angry. Angry that ABC does not see that by yanking good shows with decent ratings off the air. Who is going to commit to a show on ABC knowing the network shows such little faith in its gems.

Goodbye Betty. Your finale was quiet, understated and hit a perfect note. You will be missed.