I read the National Enquirer every week

[theboss]

I used to subscribe to Entertainment Weekly until it went downhill.

I will occasionally buy People, though these days Us Weekly is better.

I think Deadspin.com is the greatest web site in the history of the Ebays.

And I am friends with one of the people who run Television Without Pity and Fametracker. So, not only do I read those sites daily, I correspond occasionally with the editor.

I also subscribe to The Washington Post, subscribe to the Economist, read Time, read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on line, read the political articles in Rolling Stone (which I subscribe to), and buy the Atlantic. Will buy USA Toady if I am desperate for bathroom reading. And I read a gazillion different political blogs - most of which are pretty stupid.

My point: I am more than capable of thinking about Iraq, Iran, the Sudan, global warming, and people Dick Cheney may or may not have shot in the face....while simultaneously thinking about Anna Nicole Smith, Andy Dick, Lindsay Lohan, and Britney Spears' lack of underwear.

There is nothing that is a distraction in my world....And I don't consider myself that smart. (Well, I do...but I don't want to be arrogant).

So, don't act like my current obsession with Anna Nicole Smith (and, my gosh, is this a fascinating tale) is distracting me from the never-ending surge debate. Frankly, I'm thankful I don't have pay attention to arcane Senate rules on an ultimately meaningless resolution for a few days.

And also don't act like if Larry King suddenly spent the next 3 months discussing nothing but global warming, the rest of the country would be in the streets demanding solar powered cars. In order to "distract" someone, they have to be paying attention. 5 million people combined watch Larry King, Bill O'Reilly, and Keith Olbermann. 29 million watch American Idol.

So...I think Howard K. Stern is suddenly in position to personally control a gazillion dollar inheritance. Does anyone find that...interesting...besisde me?

[madame defarge]

1. Depends...

Is he a Democrat or Republican & which presidential campaign will he support, if any...

(I really mean it. I don't know the ins & outs of his relationship or motives with Anna Nicole Smith, but now that she is unfortunately dead, I guess what matters to me is what he does with the money. And actually, more importantly, what happens to Anna's little girl.)

[mainer]

2. Another Enquirer reader here!

But I also read three daily newspapers, three weekly news magazines, four scientific journals, countless specialty and professional periodicals, the Skeptical Inquirer and ... well, okay. I admit it. I also subscribe to PEOPLE, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, and VANITY FAIR.

There's no reason someone can't be a political junkie as well as a junkie for crass culture.

As for the National Enquirer -- I love it! (And ever since the Carol Burnett lawsuit some decades ago, their fact-checking has been very good.)

A voracious reader reads all. Absorbs all. Knows all.

[WinkyDink]

3. THANK YOU! I spent a career teaching BritLit and have been on Jeopardy.

I can read books on politics AND the NE.
It's called keeping aware of the Zeitgeist.

But I don't think HKS killed anyone. Unless I see it on L&O. :)

[theboss]

4. This is so clearly going to be on L&O at some point

When do they ever get a real life story that involves a son dying, a marriage, a paternity suit, and a mother dying all within weeks of each other? If this was on L&O, it would be too unbelievable.

[theboss]

5. And here comes grandma....

Could this story become any more surreal?

How am I supposed to NOT watch this? It's impossible.