This one concerns a group of misbegotten, narcissistic actors and film types who are attending a tacky movie festival in the middle of nowhere USA.

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You have to wonder if she got the idea for the film from the equally tacky "celebrity conventions" where stars of yesteryear gather to meet the fans of yesteryear and often in the middle of nowhere USA. Sad how Hollywood puts so many out to pasture once they hit 40.  Never to be seen again. Except at the "celebrity conventions."  The film just the same sounds hilarious. And fun. And we could all use some fun.

Liz, you hit exactly the right notes in your comments about the "balloon boy" non-story. How in the world have we reached the point where we cover inanities like this story of a not-very-well-executed publicity stunt? It was heartbreaking to see the little boy literally vomit as he blurted out the truth. I have to ask myself - yet again - what kind of parent would place a child in this position? Why would ANY parent wish for publicity, a reality TV show, or fifteen minutes of fame if it came at the expense of a child’s sense of security? Just dreadful, isn’t it?

On the upside, I was delighted to read about Jacqueline Bissett. She has been, and continues to be one of the most beautiful women in the world, and it’s great that she has a new project that we can look forward to.

I don’t believe the Balloon Boy was a non story.  True, the media is usually far more interested in sensationalism than boring facts, but the public, from coast to coast, was duped.  People were praying for this child. Countless man hours and incredible expense were at play.  I wish to hear even more, and what I hope to hear is this sorry excuse for parents have jail time plus a hefty fine; they also deserve to lose custody of their children. A cat is a better parent and role model. 

On the upside for me… JoBeth Williams. We should find a way to clone her.

CoCo Chanel, an old garlic clove… hilarious.

Gina Gershon is fantastic - always just who she wants to be - out front and never apologetic, and yet every time I see her she seems to be a brilliant new incarnation.  I never ceased to be impressed. 

A "brand-new" and "very funny" Jackie Bissett - good for her! 

Jude Law as a new Hamlet?  There are times I wish I didn’t live way out in the woods… sounds intriguing! 

Ok, balloon boy… Bordering on a hot button topic for me, but here I go - as I’ve said many times before, I have no TV, but I do listen to Satellite Radio - Every second or third news story was about this boy - still days AFTER the event! This is ridiculous folks.

We wonder why people do things like this - put themselves in a position of ruining their lives and families, all for a shot at fame.  IMHO, we’re all to blame.  It’s because the news stations perpetuate this madness day after day.  It is also the TV stations that run these reality shows constantly, creating Reality TV "Stars".  These people really believe themselves to be stars! They really think that fame will somehow make their lives better, make their whites whiter and their colors brighter.  What they haven’t figured out is that they are all little pawns in a Hollywood money scheme and when they are no longer useful, they are thrown out like yesterday’s rubbish.

The same goes for the public - talk about fickle.  Roman society had nothing on us - they might love you today, but tomorrow they’ll be looking for the next victim to tear apart and who knows, you might be ripe for the pickin’… One day on top, the next -boom - feet out from underneath you and the talking heads on the news channels are now spending their days discussing you - how could this have happened, what was the problem, why didn’t it work…  And look!  that’s your next-door neighbor on TV!  

There are two things I just don’t understand - why do people desire fame so badly and why have we become such a voyeuristic nation?  Why does it hold such appeal to see into each other’s homes and bedrooms and to know everyone’s dirty little secrets and why are we so willing to tell all?  As a result, we’ve bred a dirty little culture and frankly, we shouldn’t be surprised, shocked or dismayed when people like the balloon family push the envelope to be a part of it.

As for me - I chose to disconnect from "reality TV" in favor of reality a few years ago - though I’m not very optimistic, I hope to see an end of this era soon.

Nice solid soapbox… Jumping off now. :-)