Dear Mr. and Ms. Producer,

Yesterday, I went to see The Color Purple at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre on 45th Street.  It was a very diverse audience of all ages and colors.  I missed the original production in its first outing.  The commercial that aired promoting this revival was a recording studio commercial of Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo singing together.  Thrilling.  Great hook, but for some reason, I still hesitated.  BUT, when I heard the incomparable Heather Headley was taking over for Jennifer Hudson...it was a must see.  For those of you that don't know Heather Headley, she sprang into the forefront of Broadway stardom when she played the title character in Elton John's Aida and then was the original Nala in The Lion King.  Love, love, love her.  

May 18, 2016 matinee was the day.  The start time printed on the ticket, in the newspaper, on the internet is 2pm.  It's clear, clear, clear, but who cares?  Well, certainly not many of the patrons.  The show actually didn't begin until 2:10pm.  At 2:30pm latecomers were seated during the show.  At 2:45pm more latecomers were seated. What the hell?  During the final, moving, deep, quiet number of Act 1, the staff to serve drinks and food came barreling down the stairs like a herd of cattle and got in their places.  

When I began going to Broadway shows over 35 years ago, it was such a big event.  As the years have gone by, like everything else, it has gotten more and more casual.  We've heard plenty of stories or been in the audience when cell phones have gone off disturbing both the actors and the patrons.  BUT Dear, Mr. and Ms. Producer, you can ask more from your audience.  You can start the shows on time.  In London and Toronto, they begin making announcements at 10 to the hour about the start time and it actually starts on time.  The audiences know it and expect it.  In NYC, people expect it to start late, so many arrive late.  I'd be thrilled if we didn't reward tardiness.  I'd be thrilled if latecomers didn't get seated until intermission and must watch it on closed circuit in lobbies or just miss the First Act altogether.  

When you buy a ticket, it's sort of a contract and should be treated as such.  I took Stage Management in college and there are clear guidelines, but no one follows them.  The "house" should open 30 minutes before curtain, but many times they are late.  That should change.  They should stop selling alcohol and food promptly at the stated curtain time.  Many theatres have improved the ladies room facilities so they have made huge strides from that perspective, thankfully.  There are still long lines, but move far more quickly than ten years ago.  

Mr. and Ms. Producer, we can be re-trained.  You can ask more from your audience.  The announcement at The Color Purple worked and no one's cell phone went off.  We can arrive on time if you tell us that we won't be seated late.  Live theatre is not a sporting event or a concert.  Live theatre is magical and we are on a journey with the actors getting enveloped in the story and emotion.  When people arrive late, it takes us out of the magic.  Yesterday's disruptions were far and away some of the worst I've witnessed.  Ask more of us, please.  Demand more of us.  We paid, you got the money, make us live up to our end of the contract.  

The incredible Cynthia Erivo and Heather Headley and the entire cast of The Color Purple deserve more.  If you haven't seen this production, go, run.  It is thrilling, beautiful, funny, and deeply moving.  Worth every penny and many discounts are available.  Look at your ticket and get there on time.  It is the least we can do for these incredible performers.  It is the least you can do for your fellow patrons.  It is the least you can do if you bother to buy tickets.  Run, do not walk. Something very special and magical is happening on the stage of the Jacobs theatre.

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@DianaPodolsky

Things I Can't Shake Off: Part One

Remember when we had the Ebola outbreak and there was both panic and fear taking hold?  Remember when 

Dr. Nancy Snyderman was the medical expert for NBC News?  Remember that she made a poor choice and left her self-induced sequester so she didn't infect anyone (though she and her crew weren't sick and voluntarily sequestered themselves) and picked up take out food?  Remember that?  She was soundly skewered and banished.  Remember when Brian Williams was caught lying/exaggerating a story on NBC news?  Remember people were deeply disappointed that the most trusted man in news was not?  Remember NBC executives weren't sure what to do, but they suspended him until it all died down?  They started to slowly roll him out on MSNBC where he has more airtime than ever before.  He is now the overwhelming face and voice of MSNBC.  All is forgiven.  What did they do with Nancy Snyderman?  Why did they treat her differently and, seriously, hasn't been seen since.  Did they lock her away?  Her failed judgement was seen as a felony and treated far more severely than Brian Williams' lies.  Misogyny?  I don't know.  It just has bugged me since it all happened.  Seems so unfair and unjust to ruin someone's career without giving them a chance to redeem themselves.  She clearly isn't important to the network....

                                                                                  ***

Recently, we lived through an overhyped and overproduced NFL draft.  For those of you that don't follow football, every year this event has gotten bigger and bigger.  The higher up you are selected, the more money your contract is worth.  Laramie Tunsil, an Ole Miss "grad,"  was touted as one of the bright shining stars of the new class of players.  He was supposed to go in the top 5 picks.  Right before the draft began, someone (allegedly his stepdad) posted a two year old video of him smoking a bong with a gas mask on.  Now, I'm not saying fantastic image, but he fell to pick number 15.  The owners didn't want to touch that.  Seriously?  A bong hit and they freak out?  The young man lost millions of dollars because of that timely placed video.  Now, I've had a craw up my butt about James Winston for the past few years.  He was a star quarterback at Florida State University.  During his tenure there, he shoplifted, ranted offensive speech in a dining room on campus, and allegedly raped a young woman.  Again, not proven, but what has been proven...all the authorities messed up the investigation, from the school administration to the authorities.  They didn't want to take down their star.  I will never root for him or support him, but when he went in the draft last year, do you know what number he went??  Yes, people, number 1.  Number 1.  The NFL owners all are a pack of hypocrites and are far more offended by a college party high, than the alleged rape and character flaws in Jameis Winston.  A total disgrace, all of it.  

                                                                            ***

I've been asked by many if I have feelings about Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan.  I am a frequent viewer of the show and was also stunned by his announcement that he is leaving and that they didn't get along.  Not 100% that I believe that, but leaving for Good Morning America seems to be a very questionable move.  Other than the tons of money he is getting, just seems it could go south so easily.  Morning TV wars are brutal.  The competition between the Today Show and Good Morning America is intense and the executives couldn't care less about the human toll, just the money coming in and the ratings.  I think that LIVE with Kelly and whomever will do just fine and maybe soar to higher heights, but GMA is definitely a big old question mark. Go Kelly!

                                                                           ***

And now, for the last thing of today...Donald T***p.  It's a reality folks.  He is now the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party.  When this started last summer, there was no way he would last, but the more outrageous things he spewed the more popular he got and the more airtime he received.  I lay it at the very feet of the news programs.  This is definitely on them.  They created this monster.  They didn't do any due diligence.  Wouldn't it be great to interview Carolyn Kepchner?  She was one of the female executives in the T***p organization that became a "star" on the original Apprentice.  She left, if I recall, because she got too big for her britches.  Wonder if that's the real story.  She, too, hasn't been seen or heard from since.  Maybe she is locked in the same tower as Dr. Nancy Snyderman.  News people, you are overdue.  You should be doing your job.  It's too late but there is a general election.  Don't think for one minute that T***p won't say or do anything to win, so do your job.  Call him out.  Can we finally deal in facts????

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@DianaPodolsky

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Honestly, you are all pissing me off.  Each one of you has been campaigning far too long and I am so tired of all the words and rhetoric.  T***p was always the worst because the hate speech has taken root and feeding the unenlightened.  Now, Sanders, whom I have much admired for his Senate career, is now annoying the f**k out of me.  It's true.  I still would vote for him if he were the Democratic nominee, but I think his ego is getting in the way of reality.  I think he's believing and loving the adulation and cheers.  I'm sure he never expected all the love and never got it before other than from his wife.  

All the whining about the primary systems is BS.  Can anyone out there show me how the system has changed since 2012?  The system for better and worse has been in place in these States forever.  In NY, it's been the same way since 1910.  Pennsylvania for 40 plus years.  If a candidate has proof and facts that the Primary election rules have changed because of their running for President, show me the proof.  Evidence.  Truth. Facts.  

Funny how when many of these candidates weren't running, they didn't know or care about each States election rules.  Didn't have any bearing on their lives.  They voted or didn't vote in their States and not a peep.  Now, all Sanders can do is whine.  T***p, too.  Maybe someone should have schooled them in the nuances of all these different election differences.  I don't think that we need delegates and the electoral college anymore.  I think it should be a straight up majority rules/popular vote.  If we had that system, we wouldn't have had Bush as President or the invasion in Iraq!  BUT we have it, it's been this way forever and nobody bothered to rise up and make changes in our election system.  You should have done the homework and learned the systems in our 50 States and territories.  So, candidate Sanders and T***p, STOP the whining.  

Finished yet another "Super Tuesday."  T***p won big in all 5 primaries: Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, and Delaware.  Clinton won big in 4 out of 5.  Sanders won in the heavy delegate State of Rhode Island.  He isn't giving up yet, though it's clear he won't have the numbers to win the Democratic nomination.  When Obama had a clear path to the nomination in '08, the DNC pressed Clinton heavily to back off and put her full support behind Obama.  She is a good soldier and did exactly that and repaired the rancor caused by a very cantankerous campaign.  Bernie, it's past your time.  You are not helping the Democrats anymore.  You are on the other side of the hill and starting to do harm. What is your end game?  You've done a lot of good, don't ruin it now because of hubris. Look in the mirror.  It's time to be honest with yourself. 

                                                                             ***

People, Americans, if you missed 60 Minutes this past Sunday, find it.  It will make you sick.  The amount of fundraising that the RNC and DNC demand/suggest of our elected officials is nauseating.  30 hours per week!!  Besides the fact that they are paid an obscene amount of money for life once elected into office, they actually don't have time to work for the people. I am sure it's been featured on John Oliver or Trevor Noah or Jon Stewart, but it is and should be a National disgrace. T***p won't change it.  I'm not sure Sanders will either.  This is something all Americans should care about.  If they really pulled back the curtain on Washington, D.C., there would be a true revolution.  Throw everyone out.  Stop allowing lifetime benefits and salaries for these self-serving elected officials, especially for doing nothing. Focus on overturning Citizens United.  Focus on what your elected official does and gets done while in office.  Make them accountable.  You do have a voice. You do have say.  Take the time.  Dig deep.  

Sidebars:  Kelly Ripa is 100% right.  The haters spewing venom towards her is astonishing.  The Disney executives were 1000% wrong.  Michael Strahan was wrong, but he's "talent" and afraid to lose a job or disobey orders.  Bob Iger and Ben Sherwood absolutely should have looped Kelly Ripa in before the deal was done.  It is the right thing to do if you value your Talent.  Kelly Ripa has been at ABC/Disney for 26 years.  She has helped make them a ton of money.  Look, she makes a lot of money on LIVE, but it's important to treat your star with respect and dignity.  That's it.  Stop the hate.  Strahan is leaving in two weeks instead of four months, and I for one am happy about that.  -- The Voice is full of exceptional talent. If you're not watching, it's time to tune in.  Hard to choose just one, but my money is on Alisan Porter, but it's never who I think it is.  Maybe this year will be different. -- Crushed that Steph Curry got injured in the Spurs/Warriors game.  Then two shocking injuries with the LA Clippers, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.  Horrible.  It certainly makes you realize how fragile bodies are.  In one second, everything changes.  --The news has fully covered the tragic death of Prince, but an asterisk in this is the passing of Billy Paul, big Philadelphia soul singer and one hit wonder of "Me and Mrs. Jones."  Love that song and that sound. -- I'm really beginning to intensely dislike Senator Sanders.  On that note, enjoy your day. 

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@DianaPodolsky

Freaking Out

Well, not exactly freaking out, but this election season is giving me a stomachache.  It is going on far too long and is not good for democracy.  The rhetoric is disturbing and much of it is offensive.  I am a registered democrat.  Life-long.  Even though it may often be against my best interests, I am a democrat.  If you have read any of my political rants, I'm sure it's no surprise.  

When I started out becoming politically aware, at the age of 9, I always picked the loser.  I loved Hubert Humphrey. I didn't know all the ins and outs of the convention woes and riots.  Had no idea.  George McGovern over Nixon.  I did pick Carter over Reagan.  That was my actual first Presidential vote.  On the way to the polling place, I lived in California then, they announced Reagan won. I was pissed and voted anyway.  Voted for Mondale and Dukakis, both underwhelming candidates.  Not until William Jefferson Clinton, did I feel the most confident and hopeful for my Presidential candidate.  We suffered through two terrible elections with George. W. Bush beating Gore and Kerry.  We finally got to the primary between Obama and Hillary Clinton.  

I was for Hillary.  I was both disappointed and thrilled at the outcome.  I deeply appreciate firsts.  The first African-American President, Barack Obama. Big, Huge.  His acceptance speech was so moving.  Thrilling. I had hope for a new world.  A new vision. It didn't really turn out that way.  Blocked at almost every turn by an obstructionist Congress.  President Obama got some sort of health coverage passed.  I am not one of the Americans who feels the advantages, but am happy that many are.  

It's been a very tough eight years, so no one should be surprised at the contentious election season on both sides, but I am.  It makes me sick.  I am still all in with Hillary Clinton.  I get why Bernie Sanders is appealing to many of the young people and McGovern lovers, but I don't think there is anything there.  He hasn't told us how he will do anything.  He has wonderful, noble ideas, but that's where it ends.  They are ideas with zero reality.  I remember being a young idealist, wanting to change the world.  Turn the world upside down and inside out, but that's not how it works.  Sanders wants to change the banks and take them apart.  He wants to make college free for all.  He wants Universal healthcare.  That is all very seductive, but how?  It isn't going to happen.  Our government doesn't work that way.  

I feel the angst of the future disappointment of the young.  I feel the angst for those of us that support Hillary Clinton.  It makes my stomach hurt.  I want it to stop.  I want all the registered voters to get out and vote in the primaries that are so important and remain.  New York's primary is Tuesday, 4/19.  The final primary is California in June.  I keep listening, reading, and hearing that it's going to be Clinton as the nominee, but I take nothing for granted.  If it ends up being Sanders, so be it, but if it's because the Clinton supporters didn't vote, that will make me angry.  I hope that when this is all decided and we are facing ______________

in the general election in November, that the Sanders supporters show up for Clinton or vice-a-versa.  There's too much on the line.

I will keep having stomachaches until November  I can't turn it all off.  

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@DianaPodolsky

Friday Morning Quarterbacking

This week has seen more twists and turns than Space Mountain in the Republican Race for President.  We are down to three:  Donald T***p, Ted Cruz, and John Kasich.  The first two are bat shit crazy, the third talks a great game.  How did they get to this point?  Well, let's go back to the Summer and the debates.  In the lead puppet is Reince Prebus, presumably at the behest of the Koch brothers and Sheldon Adelson and the like, decided since there were far too many "fantastic" candidates, they would divide up the debates to two per night: the undercard and the main event  (6pm EDT and 8pm EDT).  They would choose by the ever faulty "poll numbers" who would debate whom.  Here's the problem, as you can well imagine, the polls are by name recognition only at that early stage.  The voters don't know anything yet.  

Why Reince and company didn't recognize this early on is beyond me?  Were they so seduced by all the publicity and ratings?  They got tons of support from the bottomline money grubbers at all the stations. T***p gave them big ratings for his outrageous behavior and rhetoric.  What all the pundits were saying after every debate, T***p won't last the Summer, T***p won't last the Fall, and every time he soared.  His unbearable popularity was making the news outlets tons of money because viewership was going through the roof. (Hence this great clip from TDS with Trevor Noah:  http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/daily-show-host-trevor-noah-877273).  

So, now, people are scratching their heads and wondering how the grown up in the room can catch up? John Kasich has a minuscule chance of getting the Presidential nomination, but he could have.  If Reince Prebus would have shaken up the early debates and not had an undercard, this race would look very different.  The voters would have had a much smarter and policy focussed campaign season, but the way Reince did it....BIG FAIL!  He could have limited the number of people running or he could have mixed up all the names and had 5 people on the stage each time.  The voters would have heard the differences and the intelligence (or lack there of) of the candidates.  Instead, we have gotten a nightmarish clown show.  I really do land this all at the feet of the RNC. If John Kasich or George Pataki or Mike Huckabee or Rick Santorum or...got on prime time in the early debates, I heartily believe that this race would look very different.  

They were seduced by the copper penny on the stage.  The bombastic loud bully that had a new unfiltered sound.  The networks loved it, promoted it, and dragged more money to the bank than ever before. The people loved it because there was a level of comfort and humor, at first.  There he was, the man that had starred in his own television show, running for President of the United States. We knew him.  Comfort food always wins out when feeling nervous or uncertain.  T***p was all that.  

Now, several moths later, the laughter has stopped and all that is left is shock and awe.  The RNC is running around with their heads cut off wondering how they f**ked this up.  The convention rules are being combed over to see if there's an out anywhere.  Do they re-write the rules so they can get a nominee they can back?   How would that effect the voters?  Is it all a foregone conclusion that a Democrat will win the White House in November?  Hell, no, but, Reince, you should definitely get fired or save face and resign.  You have done an incredibly poor job of foreseeing anything.  You are supposed to lead the Republicans and have a long view.  You have been living in the moment and have turned what could've been a respectable Presidential campaign into a divisive and hate-mongering race.  You didn't see this coming, did you?  Or, wait, maybe he is really a Democratic operative taking down and shredding the Republican Party....

In any case, you all blew it.  You may have actually had some quality candidates in your stable, but they didn't get any chance to show off their wares to the people.  They went with the shiny penny.

Sidebars:  I am increasingly getting sick and nauseous on the Democratic side.  There is so much growing anger and snarkiness between Clinton and Sanders supporters that I feel the big picture is being lost.  Facebook posts are getting ever more divisive.  We are on the same side, please remember that.  -- American Idol is finally coming to an end next week.  15 Seasons later and hundreds of millions of dollars made, it's going out with a whimper.  It was an incredible platform which launched many young talents into megastars: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtery, Jennifer Hudson.  Without you, The Voice never would've existed. -- Final Four weekend.  It's finally here, which means baseball season is just around the corner. Can't wait. Already ordered the MLB Extra Innings for the season.  I can watch the San Francisco Giants whenever I want 3000 miles away. I have low expectations for the NYC teams.  We shall see. Pitching seems quite iffy.  Let's see how many homers A-Rod hits this year.  -- V for Villanova, V for Victory. -- Enjoy the weekend everybody.  Off to Missouri to the Truman Library and see my babies.  

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@DianaPodolsky

Do As I Say Not....

I've been ruminating a lot about this election season.  Sometimes, I just have to tune out because it makes me physically sick to hear the rhetoric, fighting, and lies that keep getting spewed with little to no fact checking.  Of course, the truth is in our current internet and 24/7 news cycle, once something is said, it's out there and no one cares to follow up to find out the facts.  It's a dangerous time, clearly.  

I have been thinking in recent weeks, the Republican party and candidates hug the NRA so tightly that whenever there is a mass shooting in our schools, theaters, churches, etc. there is silence or they reply that everyone should be carrying a gun.  Teachers should all carry guns.  Everyone on military bases should be carrying. Preachers should be carrying. Everyone should be carrying.  That's their answer. If everyone had a gun, we could take care of the problem.  So, I find it so curious that at all of these RNC/Drumpf rallies, they go through metal detectors and can't bring their guns to the events.  

Now, believe me. I don't like guns at all.  I don't own a gun and won't own a gun. I understand people that own a rifle for hunting or a pistol for home protection, but I don't and will not understand automatic weapons or having an arsenal.  I can't see reason on this.  So, imagine my surprise that the Party, bought and paid for by the NRA, and the candidates and politicians that fall all over themselves to say nothing negative about guns, won't allow guns into their rallies.

This weekend, a petition signed by over 35,000 people are trying to get the RNC convention in July to allow people to open carry their guns.  I really can't think of anything better.  What are they so afraid of?  According to their stance, the more guns, the more protected you are by crazy people, so what's the problem?  Oh, I see, they only stand up after a mass killing and say people need more guns, but don't get guns near them.  No way.  Don't see the hypocrisy in their public position?  They are only willing to "talk the talk," is that it?  

Believe me, I can project that if guns were allowed into the RNC convention, there would be shootings, but isn't that the point?  Isn't that why we need some gun regulations?  Why can't they see that?  It's staring them right in the face?  They know if they'd allow open carry at the convention in Cleveland, people would get pissed off at each other and tragedy would occur.  It wouldn't be a sucker punch anymore; it would be far more serious.  So why don't they see that for us? Why do we have to be subjected to guns everywhere?  I'd rather live in a gun free society than where we are today.  The NRA is pushing me farther to radically amend the 2nd Amendment.  They have successfully bastardized the intent of our forefathers.  People, can't you see, the RNC and their people are just as scared as the rest of us.  They just won't admit it.

Sidebars:  Tonight's The Voice and Dancing With the Stars.  The Voice announced that Pharrell Williams and Christina Aguilera won't be back next year and replacing them...Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keyes.  Two men and two women judges for the first time.  I have no doubt that Alicia Keyes will be great, but the proof will be in the pudding on Miley Cyrus and her musicianship.  --  The NCAA basketball tournament is down to the Final Four: Oklahoma vs. Villanova and North Carolina vs. Syracuse.  I have Villanova in the final game against N. Carolina with Nova winning it all.  We shall see.  -- If you're in NYC and want to see a gem of a new show, get tickets to Dear Evan Hanson at the Second Stage Theatre.  I don't want to build it up too much, but well worth the time and money.  --  If you're not watching Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, she's on again tonight on TBS.  She's fantastic.  Worth the DVR space.  --  Can't believe how fast March is going. Wow!  Be well everyone.  

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@DianaPodolsky

Drs. Drumpfenstein

I'm thrilled that John Oliver discovered Donald T***p's original family name, Drumpf, so I can now freely write without all the asterisks.  So for the purposes of any ruminations, he will forever be Donald Drumpf.  Anyone here know the story of Frankenstein?  You know that the Doctor is Frankenstein who creates the monster, well that's how the media is in this election season.  

Every time the talking heads post how much money the candidates have spent in each State, Drumpf has spent pennies on the others' dollars.  Anyone wonder why?  It's not rocket science. All the "news" shows give him free rein.  Drumpf can call in and get as much airtime as he wants.  He can say anything he wants.  He can drop in in person and sit down with Joe and Mika on Morning Joe or Matt Lauer on The Today Show.  He gets more free time than anyone in any segment of the population.  It's mind-boggling.  What are the talking heads going to do if he's the Republican nominee and they have to give equal time to the Democratic nominee?  It all just makes me shake my head.  Everyday, Drumpf dominates the "news."  The talking heads on every station give him carte blanche to say anything he wants without much challenge at all.  No matter what crazy ass sh*t he says, they just let it lay there.  The follow-up is nonexistent.  

The news media didn't do their job from the beginning.  Drumpf has more crap in his closets that they have refused to investigate and reveal.  They are taking the celebrity ride.  The talking heads all underestimated Drumpf's appeal and were seduced just like his nutsy followers.  In the eleventh Republican debate, Ted Cruz kept hammering Drumpf on his donations to Democratic politicians.  Drumpf rebutted that he gave to both sides of the aisle over the years.  He's a businessman, he had to do that.  Of course, I get that, but doesn't that just illustrate the political problem?  Can't piss off either side because you may need a favor or a permit sped up for approval.  Why didn't anyone hammer him for that?  That's the issue.  That's the crap his followers hate and he has lived it in his business life.  

The only one who has hammered Drumpf on anything of substance is Mitt Romney, but both too little, too late and totally the wrong messenger.  Why aren't the debate moderators demanding answers of substance from him?  Why aren't all the talking heads, that freely take his calls so he can insult and refute anything negatively said about him, follow up with facts.  They did try to use facts and proof in the debate last night, but he still slipped through all the cracks.  

The tenor of the debate was so low and base.  It was embarrassing that that is how demeaning the barbs have become.  The fact that Cruz, Rubio, and Drumpf sound like 3rd grade boys on the playground and no one gets a time out, are terrible lessons to teach.  I heard multiple parents say that they watched the debate with their children and were disgusted and embarrassed at the tone.  Certainly, if you are trying to teach and share the democratic process for the pre-voting age, hard to explain and defend what the hell is going on.  If they spoke like this in a high school debate, they'd be tossed and disqualified, but we have to hear that Drumpf has a "large penis."  We have never ever wanted to hear about his dick or any other candidate's, but that's where we are.  That was the headline out of the eleventh Republican debate.  

The only candidate on the stage that stayed on message, discussed policy, and spoke thoughtfully was John Kasich.  The RNC and Reince Prebus did a huge disservice to their candidates.  They should have demanded four person debates from the beginning.  Should have given everyone a real chance to be heard by the voters.  It's the only way the listener can hear anything. The moderators should get to zap the debaters for going over the time, interrupting anyone, and not answering the questions.  No matter what happens, Drumpf gets the most time every day on the phone, the radio, the debate stage, everywhere.  He has become a monster that can't be stopped and there's no question, the media can take their bow.  They did it.  

Sidebars:  Ok, I am going to keep touting Full Frontal with Samantha Bee on TBS.  Well, worth it.  So is John Oliver on HBO.  Both are once a week, so if that's all the time you can give to political satire and truth telling, it's less than 60 minutes a week.  If you can add in Trevor Noah (which is M-F on Comedy Central), he has hit his stride. And he is so cute to look at, too.  Bill Maher may not be for everyone, but he is wickedly pointed and fearless in his humor.  Sometimes can make me cringe, but often just smart and funny.  -- The Bachelor still has fans shaking their heads.  Ben, the current bachelor, told two women that he loved them.  Wow, seriously?  That's some muck he stepped in and we are wondering how he gets out of that.  He handled himself so dignified and sweet until this past episode, now....Also, don't know why it is becoming so pervasive, particularly on The Bachelor, but using the word "I's" as opposed to tried and true words "mine" or "my" is hard to hear. -- Very few things in sports is making me happier than Stef Curry and the Golden State Warriors.  The anticipation of counting down the days until Opening Day...April 4th, also makes a girl happy. Hear, hear to Brandi Chastain for announcing that she will donate her brain for research of female athlete concussions.  TGIF and the "last blast of Winter."  Hope the meteorologists are right.  Happy Weekend!

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@DianaPodolsky

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