“Everybody starts out looking like they do and then they get made over because they have the essential talent. What remains to be seen is if Susan Boyle [the now-famous, plump and plain British singing sensation] can do all that singing and has the personality. She is very self-effacing and charming. But she will certainly get all glammed up at some point. They all do. I saw Barbra Streisand at the beginning and it was another woman we saw later!” That’s writer/actor Bruce Vilanch in Hollywood, sounding off on “never been kissed” Miss Boyle. (Bruce has had his own makeover, finally losing more than 80 pounds! Friends of the talented Vilanch all but “intervened” to get him to see the light — not to mention his own feet.)

And the indestructible, inspiring oddball-who-made-good, Cloris Leachman, also has some thoughts on Ms. Boyle. Asked about the unlikely elevation of the singer who brought tears to the eyes of tee-shirted icicle Simon Cowell, Cloris recalled the words of Tallulah Bankhead, back in 1949: “Dahling” said Tallu, “You are marvelous beyond words, but you have to change your name. Too long. Too many syllables. Clorox Bleachman would be better!” (Cloris also relates this story in her new memoir.)

Later, Miss Leachman was advised to trim her nose, along with her name. Of course, she did neither and went on to Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe fame.


Cloris Leachman © Getty Images

Cloris says, “Don’t change your face. Take the high heels off and get comfortable. Loosen your bra!”

I don’t think Susan Boyle has to be encouraged in the latter. I saw some photos of her online outside her home, and she was going commando under a loose-fitting blouse.

I think the Susan Boyle phenomenon is sweet, inspiring and perhaps a wee bit manipulated. But I was rather put off by a pair of CNN anchors over the weekend. These two went on and on in giddy fashion insisting Boyle had made them “forget all about the financial crisis” and other world affairs. 

Not even Madonna falling off a horse is enough to make me go blank on the state of the U.S.A.

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There’s been yet another round of “Elizabeth Taylor Dying” reports. I’m sure La Liz would like a diamond for every time that story has floated in the past ten years. Truthfully, she is fragile, but has not lost her will to live. As she said to Roddy McDowall in "Cleopatra," "Octavian, when I am ready to die, I will die." Only losing her spirit would allow Elizabeth to succumb to all she has battled so bravely.

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Some Democrats (and most left-leaning TV talking heads) need to make a decision: Do they want Barack Obama to put food on America’s tables … get millions of people back to work … attempt a health-care plan that does not differentiate between rich and poor … try to figure out what is best for our shattered economy … prevail in Afghanistan? Perhaps even capture Osama bin Laden?

Or do they, in their hatred for former President Bush, want Obama to spend the next three years attempting to punish all those who officially signed off on torture methods in the aftermath of 9/11? (Obama has announced there will be no prosecutions on this matter.)

If the country was in better shape financially, I’d say, “You go, O!” on the torture issue. And I bet he would, too. But Barack Obama is no fool. Despite his popularity, his presidency has already turned into an uphill battle. Nobody on the Republican side wants to play nice, fair or balanced.  And some Democrats are just as awful.