Kemper

Any news on her personally? She looks great in that picture. I think she was married...?

I missed chunks of the show this morning. I saw where Nicole Wallace was the one female Then I saw it again later and it was Katy Tur. What? Is there a Mikarule where there can be only one woman on with the group of guys? As an actual host, I mean. Love Katy Tur. Love all the Girls on the Buses. I think Meeka enjoys being the lone "girl"...

I am glad they are bringing Paige back to Trading Spaces. The problem for me is if they bring designers like Hildy back. Hated her. She did horrible designs for "shock" value, with no regard to the damage she did to the house or the problems the homeowners would have in dealing with it. But. I know they probably will because it is all about "shock" value and they figure that is what will bring the eyeballs in. And they are probably right. Seems to me that Trading Spaces would be a good fit for HGTV. Would love to see a show like that with the ever-present Property Brothers (maybe substitute that for any of the twin's other 30 shows) versus one of the other "designers"...but they would probably turn it into a Flip show. Flip Shows? My hope is that all of them will finally wear out their welcome. By the way, I have seen houses/designs that Hildy has done for other people (not on the show) and her designs are actually very nice.

I have watched both episodes this season. What a joyless show this has turned into; and I have watched from the very beginning. At least I used to be able to laugh at the antics, fights and histrionics. Now the hour is a struggle to get through. It has been going down this path for awhile now. Adding Kelly, for me, is the straw that has probably broken my viewing habits back. She wins the award for Worst! Housewife! Ever! ... and not in a good, fun way. When Tamra is the reasonable one, we have somehow gone off the rails. There is not even anyone you can love to hate. Not even Vicky, and she used to always fulfill that role. I have loved the New York ladies this year...some laugh-out-loud moments, plus the lack of self-awareness, the cluelessness, the sense of entitlement, the plastic surgery, hair extensions, house porn, inappropriate mentions of ladyparts and bits, sarcasm and snark. I will be sorry to see the season end. I'm afraid New York will be the only franchise I watch. And that makes me sad.

I really like Ari Melbar, but last night I so missed Ali Velshi at 6:00. Kinda wish they had given that slot to Velshi; Ari is wonderful, really smart (and gorgeous) but I think I like him better as a commentator and legal analyst. I saw Ali Velshi's take-town of Trump products yesterday and it was brilliant. Of course, Stephanie Ruhl had to do it this morning on her show, and it wasn't nearly as effective. Or wonderfully snarky. I wish she would kind of take a chill-pill before she comes on-air. It is too much for me at 9:00 and I find myself turning to CNN. Or HGTV.

Please do not give Barnicle his own show...he has the charisma of a turnip. None of the regulars on this show (MJ) should have their own show; they are too tainted by "Bloviating Tool and his Simpering Moll" (by the way, whoever posted this above...best description ever). I don't even think I could watch Willie with his own show; that is what Morning Joe has done to me. Leave them all where they are. With the possible exception of John Heileman..love his sometime smirk. My least favorites are Harold Ford and Mark Halperin. Halperin for the win. I wish they would put Brian Williams on as a regular and give his 11 pm slot to someone else. Maybe that is where they could put Willie...he would be hours enough way for MJ and has an easy demeanor that would go well at 11.

Once I got past the awfulness of Ramona's odd figure (the implants) when she was "exercising", I realized how much better she looks with her hair messily pulled back and way less makeup. Especially less eye makeup. Why must she make herself up to resemble a drag queen? And this is no insult to drag queens. Also, my husband, who was trying to compose an email, looked up and remarked how skeletal Bethanny's arms were; I can't remember if it was in a talking head or someplace else. I think Bethanny's hair looks great, her makeup always looks good. But she is truly skeletal.

I love Chris Jansing,too. But I also love Ali Velshi and try to catch him whenever he is filling in for somebody. The attractive brunette who is on after Morning Joe...Stephanie Ruhl? is starting to grow on me. She is good but seems to be trying too hard...but getting more comfortable. Or maybe I am.

God, I cannot stand Briana. Can't. Stand. Her. I know she has a serious illness and only wish her the best on that front. I know she moved back to the O/C for medical reasons and they have been dealt with. What she has will be ongoing and with her the rest of her life. But. Why, after her surgery and diagnosis, is she still living in OC? Why not move back with her husband and give her kids the benefit of having their father around. If he is waiting for a medical discharge, is he working at all? Couldn't he watch the kids if she works? How often do her kids see their father? Or do they spend more time with him and Vicki just wants to be the "martyred, caring" grandma on tv? With Vicki and Brianna it is two miserable peas in a pod. I used to dread Tamra's every appearance but don't mind so much now. Her awfulness is somehow comforting, like an old pair of flannel pj's...you know what to expect. I don't mind Megan, either. I really miss Heather (I cannot believe I just typed this)..and loathe Kelly and pre-loathe the new HW. What is going on with Lydia's bosoms? A push-up bra? Breastfeeding? Implants? Has this been discussed at length? It is easy for me in that have paired Kelly and Vicki up...I can fast-forward their awfulness. Used to really like poor Shannon, but watching her descend into self-pitying housewife just makes me sad and not want to tune in. On one hand, I feel sorry for her in that her life has taken such a downward spiral. On the other hand, I want to slap her and tell to to snap out of it and DO something. It won't be easy but will be well worth the ride back to health, happiness and self-confidence. If she ever had all of those to begin with. Counseling would do her a world of good. I have watched OC since the beginning, but may have to just buzz around it once in awhile this season; Kelly and Vicky have done that to me. They are just horrible examples of women and who they should be in this day and age. Mean girls and snobbery (a deadly mix) should be traits one leaves behind after high school. I am surprised that Kelly doesn't just ignite, she is that awful. The two of them are no fun to watch..it is not even fun to snark on them. Their meanness is a blight on this franchise; they have no redeeming qualities.

I see where Fixer Upper is on today from 7 till 2. Yes, audible sigh.

I like Jake Tapper, too...we usually watch MSNBC but I will flip the channel for Tapper. Why, in the name of all that is holy, can't they take an hour away from Wolf Blitzer? I like Wolf...maybe CNN thinks he is their version of Walter Cronkite; how about putting him on earlier? Since we don't watch CNN all that much, how many shows/hours is Wolf on?

Joe's album is a hit? Maybe in his mind? And did "Know Your Value" sell well enough to earn a sequel? Was it on the best seller list? I can't remember...I only remember Mika being pals with Andrea Huffington for awhile. Morning Joe always got a good slant from The Huffington Post. Is there no limit to The Gold Dust Twin's Egos? I think Mika, to Joe, represents the ultimate princess. Old family name, best education, welcome in all the right, rich places..comfortable in society, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, etc. For a southern boy like Joe (is he southern? He seems to shift from good-old-boy redneck-y to preppy on a whim)...I think this marriage might stick. At this point they know one another inside and out. Bless their hearts.

And it seems like they have been on all morning today. I've been getting house and food ready for a cookout; I switch HGVT on and off to see what might be on. Hoping, at least, for a Flea Market Flip marathon...or "where are the househunters now" marathon. But nope. Chip and Joanna. I guess since they are the All-American family, it is only natural that they would be on during the 4th. Sarcasm. I don't mean to trash them; I actually like them and think they are genuine. I am just sick-to-death of them; they seem to be everywhere.

It seems that the last few days, Fixer Upper has been on almost constantly. In between reruns of House Hunters (which I don't mind all that much compared to the flipping reruns). Has anyone else noticed it? Maybe HGTV should spin off/create a couple of new networks...one for house flippers and another just for Chip, Joanna and The Twins. That way they could create some new programming for the mothership. Win-Win for everyone.

Today I watched a bit of the show with Ali Velshi and Stephanie Ruhle. I think it is Stephanie. I like her and love Ali Velshi. But. I don't think they work all that well together. They genuinely seem to like each other...but the pairing seems kind of forced. They were discussing Universal Health Care...Ali was presenting the "pros" and she was presenting the other side..i.e., people don't want to be forced into purchasing something, they want to freedom to decide, yada yada yada. Was it just me that got turned off? And I don't know why. I so look forward to any show with Ali Velshi and I like her show in the mornings. I just get a teeny Fox vibe from her. I know, I am imagining it.

I don't watch all the Housewife franchises...New York, Orange County and maybe a couple of episodes of Beverly Hills a season. Last night's episode was the best/funniest episode of any that I have ever watched. I belly-laughed several times. Love these ladies..well, Ramona not so much. She has had no storyline for the past two seasons - just fake dates and fake happiness. What would have been interesting is if we could have seen a grieving Ramona. For her marriage, lifestyle, etc. What we got were fake hair, fake boobs, fake good times and "crazy" that is not fun.

Calling Hugh Hewitt a windbag is flattery. And yes, I have not seen any "Welcome Hugh" commercials either; but don't give them any ideas. Greta is one of those people who, when I see her face, I switch the channel. I think she is trying to put on a good show; I don't have anything personally against her. But like Megyn Kelly, I can't see her ever being able to wash the stink of Fox News off of herself. Who knows, maybe I will be proven wrong. Mr. Kemper and I have been watching Erin Burnett at 7 instead of Chris Matthews. We have watched Chris for years, but his interruptions and over-talking are getting worse. We looked forward to his interview with the reporter who lost it today with Sarah Huckabee; he was on for maybe 3-4 minutes. Chris let him talk (a little) and then suddenly thanked him and went to a commercial. Did anyone else notice this?

I think that lately, Chris has been more hyper and interrupts more than ever. I love his passion and political persuasion, but I am not sure I can watch him anymore. Just once, I wish he would ask the question, PAUSE, and let the guest answer. He interrupts after what seems like the first sentence his guest speaks. When even my husband notices, it is pretty bad. We have been watching Erin Burnett during that time period more often; I think we may switch to watching her full time. And this kind of breaks my heart. It is frustrating enough to listen to politicians pontificate and spout; when we have to listen to a formerly liked tv host blather on and not listen to anyone else, it gives one a double dose of helplessness and anger. Who needs it? I really wish they would move Chris's time slot to earlier and give his to someone else...Joy Reid, maybe? Hopefully the 4:00 slot will open up and Matthews can take that. Or give him a weekend slot.

I think it is time they gave Nick a partner who doesn't need rescuing and can make him up his game. I like the actor...he is what he is..Nick is a nice guy and it comes through on screen; his treatment of Sharon over the years notwithstanding. I think they should partner him up with Hillary. She is a bitch (but one I love) and she would challenge him; she doesn't need his name or his money. Plus, it would be so unexpected...they are not in the same orbit at all. His relationship with Chelsea is a snooze, as is his relationship with Sharon. You could have predicted the relationship with Chelsea (like her but her acting is weak..the two of them (Nick) together is like watching paint dry) after Adam "died" for the four hundreth time.

Is it just me, or does Victoria resemble a zombie? Pale, pale skin..eyes popping..teeth taking over her face..and a skeletal frame. I feel for the actress if she is having a tough time in her personal life; but I find her appearance distracting. She is a very attractive woman but she just seems to have lost any spark and life lately. Maybe the show could give her some time off so she can rest, eat, get some sun and relax. Just me?

Did anyone notice how, when Trump and his minions got on the plane last week for his trip, Brian Williams just could not resist letting everyone know how he had been on Air Force One before. He detailed where everyone (reporters, staff, etc.) would be sitting. He just cannot resist bragging and letting everyone know he is the coolest kid in the room. Can't stand him and his nasal, grating voice. And to think they may be thinking of putting him on at 10:00. Replacing my beloved Lawrence O'Donnell. For awhile, when he was first brought on board, he seemed chastised and was bearable. Now that he has gotten his footing he has gone back to being unbearable. I switch to CNN whenever I see his face - which seems to be more and more often; my worst fear is that they will put Mr. Wisenheimer and Megyn Kelly on together for breaking news and political coverage. They will make Joe and Meekah (who haven't been too bad lately) look like towers of political coverage.

I have never been a fan of Chuck Todd...but has anyone noticed how he is absent a lot lately? Katy Tur (love her) has been hosting his show at least one day a week; is he ill? Is MSNBC trying others out in the timeslot, thinking the ratings might improve. I have no idea what the ratings are like, but for some reason he is just not my cup of tea. Didn't Drumpf call him Sleepy Eyes?

I watched a show today that I have never seen (or heard of). Now I can't remember the name of it..it was two guys who buy a house, fix it up and then sell it. Flippers. I think it was in Boise? Boise Boys? My channel guide won't let me go back and look. Anyway...it was one of the best of the flip shows I have watched. The guys were nice, not a lot of drama, and it did not involve women with soap opera hair. It was fun to watch..hope HGTV is going to pick it up for regular rotation. I know, like there aren't enough flip shows on. But this one was like a breath of fresh air. One of the guys was married with what seemed to be a slew of kids and the other guy was a little rotund and oozed good cheer.

Lord, I can't stand Joe and Meekaah. Can't stand. Yelling, smugness, preening and bloviating are no way to start my day. And I think Joe gets off on people disliking him and tweeting about him. He gets validation. He thinks it makes him newsworthy. Do the VIPs in DC really listen to him, call him and feed him inside info?

I really like the Allison Sweeney series and the Lori Laughlin series...hopefully there will be more Brooke Shields movies. I haven't seen the Jewel ones, so can't comment. I just can't warm up to Candace Cameron's movies and I don't know why. Same thing about the Kellie Martin ones. Please let there be more Gourmet Detective. The lady detective has STRAIGHT hair!! No soap opera curls and extensions.