I’m back! Also, I was gone! In today’s The Morning After, I throw open discussion to many of the TV and media events that happened while I was on vacation, including but not limited to:
* Michael Jackson’s death continues to be news. Michael Jackson’s death will never stop being news. It is simply a permanent part of our culture now. Newspapers and magazines will have daily Michael Jackson’s Death sections. TV news divisions will hire Michael Jackson’s Death beat reporters. Universities will offer degrees in Michael Jackson’s Death Studies. Next up: tomorrow, news anchors descend on the Staples Center for the memorial service. Try not to start any wars Tuesday, major world leaders! Because that would be awkward!
* Sarah Palin tried to out-erratic-governor Mark Sanford, announcing her resignation Friday and affording cable news shows a little variety to mix in with Michael Jackson’s Death coverage. Please God, please, let her get her own TV show.
* Fox aired the pilot of Virtuality, HBO debuted Hung, while shows like The Philanthropist and Merlin continued their summer runs. Have any new shows grabbed you this summer? In a way that feels good, that is?
* The Washington Post offered to charge up to $250,000 to lobbyists for “nonconfrontational” meetings with its journalists at its publisher’s house. I will write a nonconfrontational blog post for half that price!