Former Hosts: PERSONAL Life After The View

[TribbleTrouble]

Or she wants to be seen as a martyr who is innocent of all the things being claimed about her.

And you know what, maybe she is. Maybe Chelsea has been a complete nightmare for 18 years and put Rosie and everyone in the family through sheer hell the whole time. And after doing everything she can to help her, all Rosie got was a kick in the teeth from this child she had loved and cared for her whole life. Perhaps Rosie is in fact a long-suffering victim in all this and sincerely wants to use this as a platform to help people understand the challenges her family has faced. I don't know.

But if she really is attempting to use this as some kind of platform, well ... should she? Chelsea has made it abundantly clear that she doesn't appreciate her mother talking about her this way. She disputes the truth of what Rosie is claiming, to begin with. And if what Rosie is saying is in fact the truth, isn't that only more reason why she should be respecting her daughter's right to privacy? Is it really Rosie's place to expose her daughter's condition to educate society? Shouldn't Chelsea have some say in that?

I am loath to compare Rosie to Sherri Shepherd who tries to get attention by revealing all kinds of things about her son Jeffrey that should be private. But if Rosie is really trying to use this as a platform, she is doing the same thing, essentially. Her reasons may be arguably more altruistic, but in the end it is the same thing. Taking private information about your child and making it public for your own purposes. I can't get on board with that.

I noticed how long Chelsea spent in a residential facility, too. That does stand out. But I have actually interned in a residential care setting, and I don't assume that 100% of them are doing the right thing 100% of the time. There is a lot of money involved. And not every diagnosis that can land you in residential care is as dire as one might expect. Many times children who end up in care are from very disturbed family systems and they are simply the ones showing the symptoms. What are essentially behavioral issues are often enough to keep a child in residence for a long, long time so long as the money is rolling in, when a child not really suffer from a major psychiatric problem at all.

I appreciate your concerns and your point of view. Clearly you have strong feelings about this subject matter, but it does feel a bit like you are making some assumptions and extrapolating quite a lot from just a couple of comments from Rosie - one very blunt and straightforward comment made when her child was missing and off her presumably necessary medication, and a far more measured response now.

For what it's worth, my interpretation of Rosie's more recent comments is more along the lines of honest and saddened resignation from a parent of a child who has a long history of difficult challenges that have been not only disruptive and difficult for that child but for her entire family. And let's not dismiss the fact that this story is still bubbling up repeatedly primarily because Chelsea herself keeps giving (presumably paid) interviews, along with the rather unseemly contributions by the birth mother. It is not Rosie who has been seeking out the media attention. If Chelsea were concerned about her privacy then one would think she would stop repeatedly seeking out the tabloids to discuss her private life in subjective detail thus keeping the story alive and in the public eye. Clearly Chelsea and the birth mother want to hurt and embarrass Rosie to further their own agendas, be it angry teenage rebellion or monetary gain or a combination of those and more. Rosie is then left with few options. She's damned if she does respond and damned if she doesn't.

As far as I know, Rosie has never, ever said that Chelsea is "crazy" or implied anything else similarly derogatory. Until this most recent string of unfortunate events, Chelsea's challenges have been largely kept private and out of the public eye. What is clear is that of their four children together, Kelli and Rosie together believed that one of their children had challenges significant enough to require special attention and care. And now that child is of legal age and is expressing her resentment in ways that she knows will hurt both of her parents. Chelsea abandoned both parents, but because Rosie is a public figure Chelsea has the added ammunition of being able to make things difficult for Rosie in the public sphere, with the bonus that she is likely getting paid to do it. Chelsea is making her own decisions now and it has been her choice to continue to make her private life public. To my mind Rosie had little choice but to give some sort of response.

Whatever Rosie's faults, of which there are many, I have never doubted that her children are her life and are deeply loved and cherished. Clearly this is a very painful time for the family, and the waters are choppy and extremely difficult to navigate.

Edited November 5, 2015 by TribbleTrouble

[ginger90]

A cousin of mine "liked" this on Facebook, thought I'd put it here. I hope it copies correctly:

 

"I destroy homes, tear families apart - take your children, and that's just the start.
I'm more costly than diamonds, more costly than gold - the sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
And if you need me, remember I'm easily found.
I live all around you, in schools and in town.
I live with the rich, I live with the poor, I live down the street, and maybe next door.
My power is awesome - try me you'll see.
But if you do, you may never break free.
Just try me once and I might let you go, but try me twice, and I'll own your soul.
When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie.
You'll do what you have to just to get high.
The crimes you'll commit, for my narcotic charms, will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms.
You'll lie to your mother; you'll steal from your dad.
When you see their tears, you should feel sad.
But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised.
I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.
I take kids from parents, and parents from kids, I turn people from God, and separate from friends.
I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride, I'll be with you always, right by your side.
You'll give up everything - your family, your home, your friends, your money, then you'll be alone.
I'll take and I'll take, till you have nothing more to give.
When I'm finished with you you'll be lucky to live.
If you try me be warned this is no game.
If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.
I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind.
I'll own you completely; your soul will be mine.
The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed.
The voices you'll hear from inside your head.
The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see.
I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.
But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart, that you are mine, and we shall not part.
You'll regret that you tried me, they always do.
But you came to me, not I to you.
You knew this would happen.
Many times you were told, but you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.
You could have said no, and just walked away.
If you could live that day over, now what would you say?
I'll be your master; you will be my slave.
I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave.
Now that you have met me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not?
Its all up to you.
I can bring you more misery than words can tell.
Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell."
Signed
DRUGS

 

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[pachebo]

Anyone wanna bet that Chelsea gets tagged for the next season of DWTS?

[Medicine Crow]

Anyone wanna bet that Chelsea gets tagged for the next season of DWTS?

I'm betting "nevah happen", but ....

[Mumbles]

It will nevah happen. If the show ran on E!, maybe. But ABC is still clinging to maintaining a shred of respectability (aside from the Bachelor shows.) This would be just gross. Plus, even under the show's extremely broad definition of "star", she wouldn't fit. They try to put a positive spin on the participants, so Bristol Palin was sold as a plucky single mom who was promoting abstinence (I know I know it was nonsense but still). What could be said of Chelsea? Plucky live-in girlfriend of a drug dealer?

[dumbdownus]

Anyone else notice that when Sherri is off making a movie that she will "star" in, she is never gone longer than a week. She was in Toronto last week filming her latest production.

 

She allegedly was on her way to the airport Monday morning to go back to Toronto but the View called, then she was selling wigs, then last night she was in Dallas...............guess her "part" is so important she can work it in anytime...............me bad :)

 

Oh, on Joy's show she was criticizing Jon Voight's acting in Woodlawn..................

Edited November 5, 2015 by dumbdownus

[TheGreenKnight]

DTWS crossed the line of respectability when they trotted Bristol Palin on stage. I wouldn't be surprised if they asked Chelsea O'Donnell, since they always have a few people nobody knows every year.

[Mumbles]

What did Sherri say about Voigt? Sherri should watch "Going Home" or "Midnight Cowboy" before she says anything about him. Those were masterful performances. He never achieved the "superstar" status of his peers like Redford or Nicholson or Hoffman or Pacino, but he's one of the greats.

[TheGreenKnight]

EDIT: Sorry, I meant to post in Professional thread.

 

Since I've made a post anyway, on Late Night Joy, Sherri sideways mentioned a girlfriend (most likely Niecy Nash) who pushed her onto her last husband, saying the girlfriend was more into him than she was. She's a mystery. Why would she try to force a relationship to happen if she didn't feel anything?

Edited November 5, 2015 by TheGreenKnight

[Mumbles]

I remember Sherri's gushy enthusiasm about Sal during their courtship and marriage. A week before they broke up she did a Twitter chat about how great he was. So she was either the world's best actress or she was fooled. If the latter - no shame in her game, the guy was as shady as hell and fed off her desperation for a husband and a stepfather for Jeffrey, but she should own it.

[springtime]

Sal tweeted

Lamar Sal Sally ‏@SalfromtheD  Nov 3

I just used LJ to get a woman's phone number in the grocery store.  Don't judge me.

I'll  judge him-  It was actually a CVS!

(He obviously learned some of Sherri's story telling skills)

LJ is a cutie! (I'm at work- the link doesn't look right- so I won't post it)

Edited November 5, 2015 by springtime

[Tosia]

Plucky! I love plucky! Its makes me smile and remember Lou Grant and MTM. Not Bristol. Thanks mumbles for the memories.

[NextIteration]

And let's not dismiss the fact that this story is still bubbling up repeatedly primarily because Chelsea herself keeps giving (presumably paid) interviews, along with the rather unseemly contributions by the birth mother. It is not Rosie who has been seeking out the media attention. If Chelsea were concerned about her privacy then one would think she would stop repeatedly seeking out the tabloids to discuss her private life in subjective detail thus keeping the story alive and in the public eye. Clearly Chelsea and the birth mother want to hurt and embarrass Rosie to further their own agendas, be it angry teenage rebellion or monetary gain or a combination of those and more. Rosie is then left with few options. She's damned if she does respond and damned if she doesn't.

As far as I know, Rosie has never, ever said that Chelsea is "crazy" or implied anything else similarly derogatory. Until this most recent string of unfortunate events, Chelsea's challenges have been largely kept private and out of the public eye. What is clear is that of their four children together, Kelli and Rosie together believed that one of their children had challenges significant enough to require special attention and care. And now that child is of legal age and is expressing her resentment in ways that she knows will hurt both of her parents. Chelsea abandoned both parents, but because Rosie is a public figure Chelsea has the added ammunition of being able to make things difficult for Rosie in the public sphere, with the bonus that she is likely getting paid to do it. Chelsea is making her own decisions now and it has been her choice to continue to make her private life public. To my mind Rosie had little choice but to give some sort of response.

Whatever Rosie's faults, of which there are many, I have never doubted that her children are her life and are deeply loved and cherished. Clearly this is a very painful time for the family, and the waters are choppy and extremely difficult to navigate.

 

I had typed out a long response but most of this aside from discussion of RTCs vs plushy private pay therapeutic boarding schools... is what I wanted to say.  And that Rosie has talked about some of her children facing different learning challenges, sometimes I think she means well by trying to raise awareness and destigmatizing, with her overshares.

[Mumbles]

Oversharing is a good word. I remember watching her HBO special and she told a series of jokes about Parker having sex with his girlfriend. I thought it was disrespectful to Parker's privacy and to his girlfriend's. So I think this is a problem that Rosie has in general. In the article she said that growing up people in her life kept secrets, and that wasn't healthy. Point taken. But there's a difference between keeping secrets and being private.

On Rosie's Twitter she's begging Chelsea to steer clear of a creepy publicist who must be sniffing around for opportunities (a former Kardashian publicist...enough said.) So my heart goes out to Rosie and Chelsea. This is a tough enough situation as it is, never mind the creeps who want to exploit it.

[3pwood]

Oversharing is a good word. I remember watching her HBO special and she told a series of jokes about Parker having sex with his girlfriend. I thought it was disrespectful to Parker's privacy and to his girlfriend's. So I think this is a problem that Rosie has in general. In the article she said that growing up people in her life kept secrets, and that wasn't healthy. Point taken. But there's a difference between keeping secrets and being private. ...

 

There's also a difference between secrets about yourself & the privacy of other people, such as your son & his girlfriend.  Sometimes the subjects may overlap, & you can't be open about your own life without disclosing information about your family -- in that case, I think you owe it to your family to shut up.  It's not our place to decide for others whether their private matters should be broadcast to the world, even if their business may be entangled with ours.

[TribbleTrouble]

Oversharing is a good word. I remember watching her HBO special and she told a series of jokes about Parker having sex with his girlfriend. I thought it was disrespectful to Parker's privacy and to his girlfriend's. So I think this is a problem that Rosie has in general. In the article she said that growing up people in her life kept secrets, and that wasn't healthy. Point taken. But there's a difference between keeping secrets and being private.

I would agree that on occasion Rosie has perhaps over shared, but with regard to her act you're assuming that she doesn't run that material by her family first and get their permission to use it. I don't know that she does, but we don't know that she doesn't either. Her son may well have been onboard and just fine with it. It's not as though the material was graphic, just amusing because of its relatable awkwardness. Comics regularly use their personal experiences and lives as fodder for their acts. Their families know the score and if they object to certain material it typically doesn't stay in the act. Where I get queasy is the way someone like Sherri uses her kid as fodder. He has challenges that are not funny and clearly he is not giving consent for her to use him the insensitive way she does.

On Rosie's Twitter she's begging Chelsea to steer clear of a creepy publicist who must be sniffing around for opportunities (a former Kardashian publicist...enough said.) So my heart goes out to Rosie and Chelsea. This is a tough enough situation as it is, never mind the creeps who want to exploit it.

Ugh. At least the vultures are predictable in their relentless circling. Sigh.

[NewDigs]

I hope Rosie does have that consideration.

David Sedaris frequently relates how awkward it can be for his family knowing that he overshares their quirks and sometimes quite personal situations.

I think he actually backed off writing about his sister Tiffany's life. And I think at her request. She had very serious mental health issues. He did however write in the New Yorker about the tragedy of her death and shared her story. Very moving.

But I know all about his dad's colonoscopies etc. etc. And he does seem to draw his line at sharing family sex stuff. But that's not his style, really.

He also admits to sharing things he was asked not to.

Kind of a squiggly gray line for, I think, many comics. And sorry if I went too OT about Sedaris. He's just my best example.

[Qoass]

I have the same thoughts when I see Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond's children awkwardly tossing the football and making stilted conversation on her cooking shows.  My thought is, if you're willing to enjoy the houses, toys, cars and trips your parent's fame buys, you should be willing to sell a modicum of your privacy within reason.  I spent a whole lot of my childhood in activities I despised because my parents wanted me to as has everyone.

[Mumbles]

Sorry, but those kids on reality shkws didn't choose this life. Parents who expose their children to publicity because they want to be on some stupid reality TV show are awful. Everyone should be allowed to grow up in private.

That's not what Rosie is doing, in her defense. And Chelsea and Parker aren't minors any more (but I would still consider them "kids.") And maybe Rosie cleared the joke with Parker, but I ask whether he'd feel obligated to go along with it given his relative youth and the support Rosie has given him (and continues to give.) And query whether she cleared the joke with his girlfriend.

But I do know that Rosie did not clear her remarks about Chelsea at the gala with her beforehand. And I don't think going into detail about Chelsea's alleged problems is helpful. A simple, we love her, we are concerned about her, we hope she's getting the help she needs, and we'll be there when she's willing to talk, would have been sufficient, and lovely.

[springtime]

Sherri involved in a traffic stop a few days ago and used her cell phone to document the event:

Sherri Shepherd ‏@SherriEShepherd  Nov 17
Sucks to get pulled over by police -glad Jeffrey wasn't with me

Someone needs to fill her in on proper procedures (and common sense) when stopped!

https://twitter.com/SherriEShepherd

[ginger90]

So, did she get a ticket?

[redlaces]

Pretty sure if she posted she got a ticket you would be the first to know... and post...

[springtime]

So, did she get a ticket

Well- she is taking a Megabus to DC this morning! lol

Sherri Shepherd ‏@SherriEShepherd  1h1 hour ago

$29 to go to DC? megabus here I come - going to sleep for the next 4.5 hours - wake me when we're… https://instagram.com/p/-WRQ7EILkn/

Edited November 21, 2015 by springtime

[backformore]

Does Sherri ever consider how rude it is to post photos that include other people? I'd be PISSED if I was doing something like riding a bus and my face ended up on instagram.

[TribbleTrouble]

Does Sherri ever consider how rude it is to post photos that include other people? I'd be PISSED if I was doing something like riding a bus and my face ended up on instagram.

I think it's safe to say that Sherri doesn't "consider" much of anything.

[springtime]

Sherri lost in her fight to

Be removed from L J's birth certificate and from paying child support.

[maggiemae]

GOOD!

[TribbleTrouble]

Sherri lost in her fight to

Be removed from L J's birth certificate and from paying child support.

Yep, she lost her appeal. Hopefully, she will now accept the fact that you cannot return a baby like a pair of shoes that you change your mind about. Unfortunately, it's unclear at this point whether or not she will accept it or continue to fight it by appealing to a higher court. Sadly, it's not over yet.

[Qoass]

 

she lost her appeal

 

In so very many ways...

[Former Nun]

Unfortunately, it's unclear at this point whether or not she will accept it or continue to fight it by appealing to a higher court. Sadly, it's not over yet.

 

 

Apparently money is no object in this fruitless fight.  I wouldn't be surprised if her income/worth decline greatly and she'll be back in court to have her child support amount reduced...successfully.

[springtime]

Al Reynolds was at Sherri's home for Thanksgiving dinner.

"Al Reynolds is always the life of every party"

(I am on a tablet with no idea how to copy the link)

[TribbleTrouble]

Al Reynolds was at Sherri's home for Thanksgiving dinner.

"Al Reynolds is always the life of every party"

(I am on a tablet with no idea how to copy the link)

Whoa. Sherri Shepherd hosting the former Mr. Star Jones for Thanksgiving dinner? That's...ummm...unexpected. O_O

[Bronzedog]

I'm sure Sherri hosting the former Mr. Star Jones is fine. Niecy Nash probably just suggested that Sherri might enjoy his company and that they should spend some time together. Oh! Wait!

[Medicine Crow]

OMG .... how did she rope/sucker Carla Hall into preparing the whole Thanksgiving dinner, complete with individual desserts.  Now I'M jealous!!!

Edited November 28, 2015 by Medicine Crow

[maggiemae]

I'm not....why would Carla do this and ignore her own family. She never looked thrilled cooking with Jeffrey. Who is going to do this and take a 5am flight home- where ever it was for the holiday.

But then, Sherri's antics cooking with Clinton Kelly scarred me for life. If I was a celebrity Chef SS would never be a friend of mine.

Remember when Rocko Despiroto (?) sent them meals to loose weight and

SS and GW lost weight? Now all regained.

No offense MC.....I just have a thing about SS and why Carla would do this.

Edited November 28, 2015 by maggiemae

[Medicine Crow]

No offense taken Maggie.  I just couldn't believe that Carla would spend all that time cooking for that ......   Just sayin'.

[telemachus2]

Can't help feeling that we're often too hard on Sherri, & it seems like bullying a weak sis to me.  Endless snark about her intelligence, parenting, appearance & general behavior, but I think it's damned praiseworthy & progressive for her to take the bus to DC - very ecologically & economically sound + nobody can claim she's acting like a snobby 1%er.  

Unlike many "celebs," Sherri worked f/t in a "regular" job (legal sec.) while trying to get into show biz, & was raised in a very strict, fundamentalist type of religion - not everyone has the advantages of money, higher ed, open-minded, informed parents, & inherent mental ability.

When I think of the challenges Sherri has faced, I'm truly amazed (flat earth anyone??) at her success. Sherri apparently ran wild sexually while still a teen, resulting in abortion used as birth control & public disciplining by church elders, & didn't get along with her mom, who died young. In her 1st marriage to her "best friend," she gives birth to Jeffrey, only to learn that her layabout spouse has impregnated another woman - but he obtains $$$ via divorce.  Long-awaited son Jeffrey has major deficits - devastating to most parents, much less to a single mom betrayed by her longtime sweetheart.  (I know whereof I speak, as mom to an impaired child, who'll never have the opportunities of 98% of the population, no matter how hard he tries or how much support his parents provide.) Then she foolishly (??) trusts Sal, who was introduced by a close friend - another loser with a work allergy who truly seems to have had an agenda from the beginning - too bad our gal was so desperate & naive, but is that (or stupidity or loneliness) a hanging offense?  Sherri's exes joined forces against her in this divorce/child support action & while it's sad for LJ, I can understand why Sherri wants no role in his life.  IMO, it's sufficient for Sherri to contribute only a nominal amount of child support, & for Sal to bear the rest of the parenting responsibility. Sal is a teacher (why not during marriage to Sherri - did it interfere with his Hooters-time?) & should he desire to, has many chances to meet an appropriate woman to mother LJ.  

I'll save my harsh criticism for folks like Bitsy, born to professional parents, privately schooled, a college grad, married into an elite family, very attractive physically but an empty shell otherwise.

Edited November 28, 2015 by telemachus2

[Wings]

 

I'm not....why would Carla do this and ignore her own family. She never looked thrilled cooking with Jeffrey. Who is going to do this and take a 5am flight home- where ever it was for the holiday.

 

It is a gig she took for money; it probably paid well.   The Chew is filmed in NYC, possibly in the studio next door.  Some of that food was likely from the set of The Chew.   And we don't know if her husband and step son were with her and planned to have dinner later that day with friends in NYC. .  

Edited November 28, 2015 by wings707

[Mumbles]

If you look at the photos of Carla on Sherri's Instagram, they're from the day before Thanksgiving fwiw.

Hmm. Al Reynolds seems to have a habit of befriending lonely television hosts who likely have self-esteem issues, doesn't he? Funny how that works out.

[rcc]

If you look at the photos of Carla on Sherri's Instagram, they're from the day before Thanksgiving fwiw.

Hmm. Al Reynolds seems to have a habit of befriending lonely television hosts who likely have self-esteem issues, doesn't he? Funny how that works out.

I thought Al came out as gay when Star divorced him. Just platonic friend to Sherri maybe.

[backformore]

I thought Al came out as gay when Star divorced him. Just platonic friend to Sherri maybe.

No, I don't think so. I remember everyone referring to him as "big gay Al", but he refuted rumors that he's gay.

This is not the first time I've read that Sherri has some link to Al Reynolds. They have attended events together. Google the two names, and there are stories about Al renting space in sherri' s New York townhouse. But I think that was when she was still married.

[ginger90]

Sherri Shepherd ‏@SherriEShepherd  · Nov 24 
Jeffrey is telling everyone that he and Mommy are having a quiet family Thanksgiving at home - LOL

 

Followed by: https://www.instagram.com/p/-mA1RioLhb/

She says, "Jeffrey really wanted to sit next to me, but I told him the man of the house sits at the head of the table - he was hysterical because he kept looking around the candle at me" SHE couldn't sit next to HIM. Whatever.

[Vinyasa]

Whoa. Sherri Shepherd hosting the former Mr. Star Jones for Thanksgiving dinner? That's...ummm...unexpected. O_O

 

Now I really have heard it all.

 

What are Sherri and GayAl doing together? Maybe he is back in NY to visit Fire Island (that is where he had his bachelor party.....)

[Fisher King]

Sorry, Sherri may have had a rough upbringing, be a hard worker and all that, but it doesn't mean she can use her religion to be an insufferable part-time mother. Why the hell couldn't she let Jeffrey sit next to her? If he was hysterical then you just know everybody else was having a great time. Idiot.

[NewDigs]

In 2012 Al was renting part of Sherri's UWS townhouse. Sherri was not living there at the time.

Unfortunately that does not explain this October 2015 picture of them.

Can't find anything about his current residence. Still at Sherri's?

[backformore]

Sherri Shepherd ‏@SherriEShepherd  · Nov 24 

Jeffrey is telling everyone that he and Mommy are having a quiet family Thanksgiving at home - LOL

 

Followed by: https://www.instagram.com/p/-mA1RioLhb/

She says, "Jeffrey really wanted to sit next to me, but I told him the man of the house sits at the head of the table - he was hysterical because he kept looking around the candle at me" SHE couldn't sit next to HIM. Whatever.

Her table is set for showing on instagram. Each place setting has three fancy glasses in front of it. All the glasses are empty, even though people are eating. There are more places set than people sitting, so she's showcasing her dishes and stemware for the photos. Maybe it's just me, but when I host dinner, I am more concerned with the guests than with taking photos. Fill those glasses!

[Mumbles]

Lots of folks sent photos of their Thanksgiving dinners on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Not something I would do, but hardly unusual. I'm going to cut her some slack on that.

[Vinyasa]

Can't find anything about his current residence. Still at Sherri's?

 

I thought he moved to Florida after the divorce (ie contract expired). Who knows??

[backformore]

Lots of folks sent photos of their Thanksgiving dinners on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Not something I would do, but hardly unusual. I'm going to cut her some slack on that.

Absolutely.  take a photo of the set table if you want.  or of the turkey, or the guests.      I was referring to the fact that people were EATING.   full plates, putting forks to their mouths.  and each place setting had 3 stemmed glasses, all empty.  Once people are eating, you have to switch gears and be the host. 

[Tunia]

Mmm, yeah. I remember she did the same thing last year - people eating amidst other empty place settings.  If it were just one plate, I'd think it might be a special custom in their house, i.e. setting a place for Jesus.  We did something similar when my boys were small - having an extra place set for the wayward traveler to be invited in as a means of teaching the boys the importance of sharing.  In fact, it did come into play one Christmas when a distant relative got stranded in our area and phoned us for help.  They fell into our standing rib roast with Yorkshire pudding dinner and couldn't believe their luck.