Friday, November 11, 2005

Another Curmudgeon Worth Loving

You know, I hear folks on the left slamming Jack Cafferty, and honestly, I don't know enough about the man's history to argue the point. But I do confess -- he's the only thing that makes "The Situation Room" worth watching. Thanks to the boys at Crooks & Liars, I often don't have to watch to gobble up some of his gems.

This particular segment made me chuckle and is a great example of why I'm a fan. Having left California before Aaahnold's term, and pretty much blocking the state from my memory altogether, I'm not well versed in what was on their ballot (short of what I've been told about Prop 73). However, it's not even relevant to my Cafferty love, it's just a fine example of Cantankerousness.

See, I've just got a permanent soft-spot in my heart for anyone in the MSM that makes absolutely no effort to disguise their eye-rolling dismissal of public figures (assuming they share at least some of my political persuasions, that is. HA!). And Jack offers up Sardonic Theatre at it's best. I want to pour him a scotch, feed him a steak and let him pontificate all over the dining room table.

8 comments:

Lily said...

Well the cynic in me knows that Cafferty is a contrived curmudgeon, and realizes that they know exactly what they are doing by having him play the "near retired, old school cranky journalist" part.
Since they made some subtle changes to the reporting, his ornery crankiness has been a feature more often than not whenever he talks. My guess is that CNN knows that Fox corners the market on idiots. I think this past year we have seen some reaching for the left audience, a comparatively wealthy and educated demographic.
You can always tell who these shows pander to by the commercials- New York Times Home Delivery, Get Out Of Debt, Work From Home, Weight Loss Miracles...
I'm glad Jon Stewart finally made fun of Lou Dobbs and his relentless obsession first with outsourcing and now immigration. Talk about beating topics to death! I wish Lou would link outsourcing to foreign economies and standards of living, resources and oil use, etc. But thats another post....

Cantankerous Bitch said...

Lily,
I realize that his placement is a demographic suck-up, but in the end, I don't care. He makes me laugh.
:::crawling back to Simpleton's Corner:::

Cantankerous Bitch said...

GC,
Thanks.

Lily said...

Oh don't get me wrong! He cracks me up too! I am not immune to manipulation...quite the contrary, it does not take much to entertain me. Part of my self-reform is an acknowledgement that I am a sucker! I have a past full of expensive bags, high heels, and volvo's "for the safety". I'm naturally susceptible to suggestion. I like Jack but feel like a chump is all I'm saying. I like Brad Pitt too, and realize thats not very original either. Not compared to your Neil Young!
By Simpleton's corner, do you mean my house??????

Cantankerous Bitch said...

You know, you really must abandon the illusion that my gushing praise for Mr. Young had anything to do with sex appeal. I'll be piping his tunes through my speakers until I'm old and gray(er), but I'm in no hurry to invite him to bed, thanks.
Now, Antonio Banderas... that's another topic altogether.

Lily said...

Oh I loved him too- until "Evita" and that hysterical scene where he burst into song at the bar.
Now I just picture him singing 'Sing you fools cuz you got it wrong, your queen is dead, your king is through- she's not coming back to yooooooooou". Since I have Che Guevera on my fridge, it takes a lot to impress me with his portrayal.
Now Peron's actor was a looker, wasn't he from the Infiniti commercial?? I love balding English guys, with renegade brows, like Jeremey Irons.... now those are men I could actually listen to without my mind wandering.
So much for me not getting personal in the blogosphere.

Cantankerous Bitch said...

Every time someone describes a scene from Evita, I'm happy I missed it.
Looking up the film credits, I presume you're referring to Jonathan Pryce? I found him particularly loveable in Jumpin' Jack Flash.

Yes, well... as for reducing ourselves to girly chatter... we can't all be Chompsky. ;)~

Lily said...

So sue me-turns out I am shallow, fallible, and easily distracted. As if you didn't know.
Yeah, I think that was his name.