Laptop Television Mom

Flood Relief in Iowa

Thanks to the moms at Work It: A Blog for Working Moms for sharing ways to help with flood relief in the Midwest.  Iowa Governor Chet Culver recently told CNN that flood-water damage is an estimated $10 billion -- yes, billion with a B.  Not only is that figure a premature guess, it does not include damage in Illinois or Missouri. 

Here are a few ways to help:

• A local foundation established a Coralville/Iowa City flood relief fund
• Online giving to University of Iowa
• As always the Red Cross is on-site and in control. 
• LTV Mom will remind everyone about Farm Aid's Family Farm Disaster Fund.

And as stated on Work It, "I'm sure on the ground volunteers are much needed, but close-proximity is essential. So give online if you can."

LTV Headlines

So much useless news, so little time:

• Dennis Miller Returning to Sports TV (I, for one, am a huge Dennis fan!  This is good news.)
• Holmes in heels hours after NYC marathon (I ran a marathon, and could barely walk much less walk in heels!)
• Prince moves to sue fan sites (Um, FAN sites?  The people who buy your albums and uber-expensive concert tickets?  Seriously?)
• Russell Crowe plans to be baptized (Crowe says: "I do believe there are more important things than what is in the mind of a man," he says. "There is something much bigger that drives us all. I'm willing to take that leap of faith.")
• Another Watanabe takes lead in war movie (I adore Ken, so I will check out Dad Dai.)
• Da Vinci Encodes a Sequel (Bring in on! I loved reading Angels and Demons.)

LTV Headlines

There's a lot going on in the news, here's what is catching my eye:

• DeGeneres cancels taping after dog flap (Well, I have been holding off on commenting on this "Iggy" situation. I have to say, please give the dog a good home... the home that already loves him.)
• Jon Stewart re-ups as "Daily Show" host (Hallelujah!  My favorite LTV show!)
• Oprah Revisits Battle of the Bulge (Dammit, it's a thyroid condition, why do you always have to go right to her weight?)
• Parents go to extremes for Hannah Montana tickets (Can't you find anything better to entertain your kids?  A museum?  The Science Center? A soccer game?)
• Rowling Visits U.S. in "Open Book Tour" (I would give my left arm for a signed copy of a Harry Potter book!  But, I am not a 10-year old... I understand!  I'm just happy that kids are flocking to an author, rather than Hannah Montana.)

LTV Headlines

Wow, lots to report on today:

• Manilow sparks political feud with TV show (Seriously?  Barry canceled his performance because he doesn't want to be interviewed by conservative Elizabeth Hasselbeck?  Barry, if you are so passionate about your political views, go on the show and represent them.  Backing out is cowardly.)
• Emmy "Sopranos" send-off ranks as ratings dud (It was not a memorable event for me.  Highlights were James Spader's and Tina Fey's acceptance speeches, Steve Carrell's "victory celebration," the first award for Interactive television, Rainn Wilson rapping with Kanye West, and anything with the Sopranos.)
• Simpson jailed as "flight risk" amid media frenzy (This man is unbelievable.)
•  I Am My Own Mom: Judy Kuhn, Once a Cosette, Will Play "Fantine" in "Les Miz" (Wow, that is pretty cool.  One of my favorites.)
• Where Aren't They Now: "'Grease': You're the One that I Want" Hopefuls Fill Stages (If you were a fan of the reality show, here's an update of some of the fan favorites.)

9/11

In remembrance of those who died and in honor of those who continue to serve...

   

LTV Headlines

I'm catching up on work and life after vacation, so all you get is LTV Headlines:

• Harshest Words Saved for Britney's Body (Yes, the performance sucked.  No, she can't even lip sync. Yes, her "advisers" need to step-up and do their job.  But the comments about her body are really pissing me off.)
• Pamela Anderson's ex-husbands in a scuffle (Dude, you can't make this stuff up.)
• Timberlake Boxes up an Emmy (I admit, I laughed out loud when I read this headline.  The SNL short is classic, and -- who knew! -- now has an Emmy!)
• 30 Rock Aids and Abets a Soprano (Carmella on 30 Rock?  I love Edie Falco and 30 Rock, so my TiVo and I are fired-up!)
• Imperioli's Real-Life Bada-Boom (Cristafa, what are you up to these days?)

Cut out late night Internet and TV?

... but then there would be no Laptop Television! This is blasphemy!  ;-)

Check out this Reuters story telling sleepy Americans to stop spending the late-night hours in front of the tube and the Internet.  Then put yourself in my shoes... late night is the *only time* I actually have to sit on the couch and watch TV. Yes, I also am working and doing laundry and washing dishes and blogging and online shopping...

LTV Headlines

Here are the headlines keeping my attention:

• Matt Damon: Having a Family Changed my Life (Great story, Damon says he's rather be with his family that at the gym.  Good man.)
• Janeane Garofalo joining Fox's 24 (Cool, just bring back Jack!)
• Joey Fatone signs on for red carpet duty (Seriously?)
• Ryan Seacrest to host Emmy Awards (No, seriously?)
• F-Ked Gets Treed (WTF, seriously?)
• Bada Bing selling 'Sopranos' items (Anyone want a *used* 12-foot stripper pole? Me neither.)
• Arnold, Ellen, Hundreds More Honor Merv Griffin (Jeopardy. Wheel of Fortune. Classic.)

LTV Headlines

So many headlines, so little time:

• "Ratatouille" squeezes out best-reviewed honor (We took The Kid to see the movie this weekend, it was really good. The story is refreshing, and the animation is amazing.)
• TV vets Lear, Seinfeld on tap for NBC (Seinfeld on 30 Rock?  That is awesome, bring back the show about nothing.)
• "Potter" packs a global punch at box offices (The book is on order, seeing the movie this weekend.  Hey, I have a 2-year-old... who has time for opening night showings?)
• Rodriguez falling for "Ugly Betty" (I loved this dude on Six Feet Under, he'll be a great addition to Ugly Betty.)
• Patti LuPone triumphs as "Mama Rose" (Patti LuPone would triumph at reading the phone book.  I just hope I can hear her perform "Roses" someday.)

LTV Headlines

Here's the news and events catching my eye:

• British princes honor Diana with concert (Did anyone watch this? Anxious to read a review.)
• "Ratatouille" cooks up lukewarm box office win (Can't wait to see this one. I saw a 9-minute preview folloing Finding Nemo last weekend, and it looks great!)
• ABC movie critic Joel Siegel dead at 63 (Bless you!)
• "Hairspray" a giddy breath of fresh aerosol (You can't stop the beat!)
• New Harry Potter least enjoyable so far (Oh no!)