Let's Talk About: TV Talk Shows

Every fall there are a crop of new talk shows that are ushered in. This season was no different. I was every excited about two returning talk show hosts, Queen Latifah and Arsenio Hall as well as Bethenny Frankel. I figured that Queen and Arsenio's shows would be great because they've done this before. I also thought that Bethenny's show would be rough at first but then find its stride. Out of the three, Queen's show is my favorite. "The Queen Latifah Show" is the clear winner of the freshman crop of shows. I LOVE everything about it from her personality to the guest DJ's all the way down to the Lenny Kravitz designed set. It's just golden. She has always been very relatable to me. She is funny and smart and a people person. I love the informal way she interviews her guests. I really love her show. I hope it sticks around for a while. 

"The Arsenio Hall Show" is back. I still like him. But, I feel like his opening monologues and skits are stuck in the 90's. The best thing about his show are still the performances. I love them. He has always had his finger on the pulse of what's hot and relevant in the music business. That is his saving grace to me. I do not run to watch it every night like I did as a kid. But, I make sure to catch certain interviews like when he had the cast of "The Best Man Holiday" on two nights in a row. And, I've seen some great performances as well. I think he's getting his stride back. It has improved greatly since that first week. One show I do not think that will make it passed this season is "Bethenny." I loved her on "Real Housewives of New York" and her spin-off shows "Bethenny Getting Married" & "Bethenny Ever After." But, her personality does not translate well to a talk show host. She appears stiff and rude and boring. I have only seen it a handful of times but that was enough. I don't care for it. The ratings are dismal as well. I had such high hopes for it. Anyway, hope you guys are supporting the shows you like! 

State of the Union

A few hours ago, President Obama gave his sixth State of the Union address. It goes without saying that he is an excellent orator. He can definitely give a great speech. Tonight's speech was great for a plethora of other reasons. This speech called out the Republicans on all the things they haven't been doing, all the bills they have been vehemently opposing. He spoke on the issue of college tuition being too high, college loans percents doubling, and what he will do to correct it. One of the standout points in his speech was about the importance of teachers. President Obama spoke about teachers mattering and that those who weren't doing their job or just teaching to the test should not have a job. High notes were also about ending the war, still focusing on green energy, holding Congress accountable, and faxing companies for outsourcing jobs overseas.

I found it hilarious how tight John Boehner face was during the whole speech. His face was void of any emotion. He hardly ever clapped or stood up. I was totally shocked when he clapped about the tax issue. The speech was just over an hour long. President Obama held my attention the entire time. The real work starts now. I cannot wait to see what moves the Republicans will make in the upcoming months. The election, once the GOP nominates someone, will be long and tedious. I will be watching because I am oddly involved in this. If you didn't have a chance to catch the SOTU, you can watch it here. Trust me, it is worth watching. If you want to know where the President stands on the big issues, watch. If you are unsure of who to cast your vote for this November, watch. There is only one choice in November for me. I will be voting for President Barack Obama in 2012 just as I did in 2008.