(photo courtesy of Yahoo Photos)I think I’m just beginning to let the news really sink in, as are many others. And I wasn’t even really what you would call a ‘fan’, although I enjoyed most of the movies that I’d seen him in and thought he was a good actor. It’s just so sad when someone so young (28 years old) suddenly dies, under unknown circumstances. Unknown until the toxicology tests are completed, that is. And as is true with every single other report I’ve heard or read, much sympathy is extended to his family, including his two-year-old daughter Matilda.
Jason Carroll reported from the building where Ledger was renting an apartment in Soho. I usually enjoy Jason’s reports, but last night it seemed like he just a bit unprepared and Anderson ended up asking him a number of questions that (IMHO) probably should have been covered in a summary right upfront. I appreciated the report from Gary Tuchman about Heath Ledger’s all-too-brief movie career, which was appreciated, since I’d forgotten (for example) that he’d starred in “10 Things I Hate About You”.
Anderson also interviewed Dr. Drew Pinsky about the circumstances surrounding Heath Ledger’s death. Dr. Drew advised jumping to conclusions about what may (or may not) have happened. As an example, he brought up the fact that while unlikely, there may have been some kind of underlying medical condition that was exacerbated by medication that Ledger had taken.
Politics front and center: Both Joe Johns and Tom Foreman had excellent reports last night. Joe had a “Keeping Them Honest” report about the accusations thrown back & forth during the Democratic Debate. Tom took a look at the ‘shifting’ policy statements that each of the remaining Dem candidates has made regarding their Iraq troop withdrawal plans. Tom’s assessment? More ammunition for the Republicans to claim the right to call out “flip-flop” without rebuttal.
Anderson discussed politics with Candy Crowley, John King and Joe Madison (WOL Radio) – talking about the Obama-Clinton ‘war of words’, lack of substantive discussion about relevant issues, the Democratic assessment of McCain’s potential ‘opponent status’, Fred Thompson dropping out of the race, and the soon-to-broadcast ‘request’ from Joe Madison to DNC Chairman Howard Dean to grow a backbone and reign in the current internal warfare before irreparable damage occurs.
Candy Crowley also had a report about the impact that Bill Clinton is having on the campaign. Unfair advantage for Hillary Clinton? Well, in a word – YES – and it just doesn’t play well in any way that you look at it. First, it gives the impression that she can’t ‘cut it’ in even a campaign mode without relying on him. How can we expect her to face down the likes of Hugo Chavez or Kim Jung-Il without her co-president? Second, it gives the impression that Barack Obama is running against two people. There is no question that Bill Clinton has unprecindented status in this situation. He’s not the usual and customary “supportive spouse”. As Candy said in her report: “She is deft, charming and politically savvy, but Michelle Obama is no Bill Clinton.
Marine murder update: Randi Kaye reported last night that suspect Cesar Laurean has been recently spotted in Mexico – by his cousin – who claimed that Laurean just ‘stopped by’ on his way to another destination. Probably somewhere else in Mexico, a country that has a ‘no-death-penalty’ extradition treaty with the US. So if he is ever captured on Mexican soil and sent back for trial, it will be with the assurance that he will not face the death penalty.
Life on Mars?: “The Shot” last night was interesting – it was one from the surface of the planet Mars and if you use your imagination, I suppose you might be able to see an outline of a human life form. It’s not – obviously it’s some form of shadowed rock formation or something similar – but it’s fun to speculate ... Sasquatch jokes aside ... ;-)
Beat 360°: I’m highlighting this entry because it reminds me of a moment in time when the knives weren’t drawn and political blood hadn’t been spilled yet:
I’m curious: As to why there was no mention of the big “Erica” announcement from earlier in the day ... I was waiting during each of the breaks, but not a word ... perhaps they’re waiting until February 1st to make an ‘official’ on-air welcome ...
Thanks for visiting - updates posted as needed - have a terrific Wednesday!
