HAPPY 2008 (officially)!!!

Today’s Buzz ... Part 1

I’m saying Part 1 because I plan on being back later, after the 360 broadcast, to add more to the ‘flow’ for the first day of the year!! But for now, a (mini) series of items:

Ryan Seacrest got last night's news "scoop":

This particular topic is getting a lot of commentary at the AC360 Yahoo group today!!

Perhaps one reason to not have ANY 'co-host' next year?? If you remember, last year Anderson interviewed Mayor Bloomberg before the ball drop - nice quick discussion – I’m sure he was 'making the rounds' of the news organizations.

Well, this year - while Anderson was being "flustered" (as the columnist below calls it), Ryan Seacrest got the 'scoop' of the night, as he interviewed Bloomberg and got him to definitively and unequivocally state that he was NOT running for President. There's been much speculation (again) about that issue lately. But in the interview, he also made it clear that he still supports exploring the idea of the creation of a third party - possibly for future runs??

I actually saw this during the 'lull' here between the end of the CNN broadcast and the West Coast stroke of midnight, and I wasn't going to post anything about it, but since the story is making the rounds, I'm posting it below. Call me cynical - but if Anderson hadn't been pre-occupied with fending off the usual 'come-ons' from Kathy Griffin, perhaps HE would have had this 'news scoop'?

From the Orlando Sentinel:

"What a loopy way to start a new year! Would you believe that Ryan Seacrest delivered more news than Anderson Cooper in covering the arrival of 2008?

Believe. On ABC, Seacrest helped Dick Clark kick off another glittery celebration in Times Square. But Seacrest also made news by interviewing New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said definitely that he would not run for president.

Over on CNN, Cooper was saddled with comedian Kathy Griffin, who can be hilarious. She wasn't Monday night. Griffin made tasteless, off-the-wall comments that seemed to fluster Cooper.

I always thought these celebrations should be about joy, hope, unity. But Griffin was like the guest you want to tell to shush."

So any (other) opinions on Kathy Griffin last night? I don't think I've had much of any kind of change of heart from what I said last night at the group – I think that she took up a little too much time that could have been devoted to other correspondents and musical guests. Maybe if the program had been a little longer to allow for more of that, it would have been better (IMO). But it's difficult enough for a host to 'navigate' through everything that needs to get done in such a short amount of time – and Kathy’s chattering was a little distracting, albeit mostly funny, and it seemed that Anderson approved and enjoyed it!

If you happen to be suffering from insomnia early on Thursday morning, you can catch a repeat of Anderson’s appearance on The Tonight Show from this past August. Remember – it’s not the one that comes on right after local news – it’s the “late night/early morning” Tonight Show repeat that many NBC affiliates carry at about 3:00 AM each morning – check your local listing for details!!

Not that I’d ever link Simon Cowell and Country Music Television in the same sentence – with any success – but apparently there is a special called “Simon Cowell Uncut: 60 Minutes Special” on CMT – which will be a half hour version of Anderson’s interview with Mr. Warmth from last year. Not sure if there will be any additional footage, but it may be worth a viewing!! It will be airing on Friday, 1/4/08 at 11:00 PM, Saturday, 1/5/08 at 1:30 PM and 10:30 PM, and Sunday, 1/6/08 at 10:30 AM. All times EST.

A little OT since we’re talking about TV schedules – Bill Maher will be a guest on The Late Show this coming Thursday, 1/3/08. Letterman’s company (Worldwide Pants) has come to terms with the WGA, so Bill won’t be crossing any picket lines. I’m a little surprised that he’s agreed to return to his own show, however, as of January 11, 2008. I imagine that he wants to keep the other staff employed, although I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts out with some kind of ‘solidarity’ statement on the first broadcast!

OK – time for a few more pictures from last night – including “John & the Key West ladies”:












More later ...