Okay, let's be honest. The "chick lit" genre really does reflect a group of middle class white women. I've met them, and their lives are just as vapid as the protaganists of these despised novels. These books are written to entertain that specific segment of our population, or those that aspire to be them. But don't get it twisted, there really are people who live and die with Access Hollywood, US magazine and crystal studded Sevens (jeans for the uninitiated). I'm not offended by "chick lit" because it doesn't purport to represent all women, nor should it.

For that matter, as a professional african american woman, I assume that I am reflected as the improbable best friend/hanger-on (similar to the black guy buddy who's first to get killed in military thrillers), who's only life desire is to be Ashley's BFF. Admittedly, this assumption is only based on reading "The Devil Wears Prada" at one friend's insistance (actually I don't think there is a black character in that book, so I take it back).

Lest you dismiss this as a racial rant, I also don't get excited everytime Terry McMillan or Zane release a new novel. They don't really represent me either - and that's okay. If I'm looking for a good read, I know to look elsewhere. If I'm looking for a frothy afternoon romp that I'll forget within 2 hours of reading, I know to venture into the pink paperback section at Borders. No harm, no foul.

Heather, as always you hit the nail on the head. Why did I get in an argument with my husband this morning for making Grey's Anatomy a priority over sex (I didn't have the heart to mention, that last night's ep was a repeat). Perhaps I like TV too much . . .

Heather, usually you are 100% right on, but I must comment on the gaping hole in your Season Pass Manager list. Can I get some love for "The Boondocks"!?! Honestly, no recent show (live action or animated) has made me laugh, chuckle and snort (the trifecta) as much as The Boondocks. "A Huey Freeman Christmas" is poised to take residence among Charlie Brown and the Grinch as Must See Christmas TV! In case you missed it, a brief summary:

- Huey authors the school Christmas play titled: "The Adventures of Black Jesus;

- Riley a/k/a "the Santa Stalker" shoots various shopping mall Santas with a BB gun yelling "You're gonna pay me what you owe!"; and

- Poor little confused "mu-latto" Jasmine's true Christmas Story, "Santa came down the chimney to die for our presents."

I mean really, I feel as if I were touched by the true spirit of Christmas. Thank you Aaron McGruder.

Wouldn't it be nice if someone put rat poison in her creme brule so I would no longer have to hear instant reports of all of her innane blatherings. Just a thought . . .

To: "i'm not white, I'm beige"

Did you miss the title of the review? I believe the article is "Beyond Blaming Whitey." To me, that signifies an internal examination and contemplation regarding problems facing "Black America." Thus, your rant, while mildly entertaining, is completely misplaced. Nonetheless, we are all better for knowing that bad things happen to everyone - thanks for the reminder!

To the author:

Thanks for the candid review. I too have grown weary of the same old, same old. We all need a shot in the arm occassionally - hopefully "The Covenant" will prove to be just that. I plan on giving it a read.

Seriously people, if you don't like it, don't watch it. It truly is just that simple. Let's not forget, TV is fantasy - none of its real; not Grey's Anatomy, not any "reality" show; and certainly not the news. It's all entertainment, indeed that's television's sole purpose. Pure escapism wrapped up in a 27 inch box convieniently found in every home in America. Why do we expect fiction to be real? I never understand that. Why would I want to watch ugly doctors performing boring procedures and having sexless lives? What kind of escape is that?

Congrats Heather! Much happiness!

I agree that your list is pretty good. But no list is complete without The Boondocks. If for some reason you couldn't get to it this season, you have to check it out. The Christmas and Martin Luther King Day episodes are absolutely brilliant. I have never laughed out loud at the television as much as when I watch the Boondocks.

As for summer viewing, I am highly anticipating Season 2 of "The Closer." Be sure to check it out, Kyra Sedgwick is fantastic in this role.

Yesterday, when doing a mid-afternoon CNN election returns check-in, I was greeted with a bright-red Breaking News headline about the Spears-Federline divorce. Breaking news? Its not like I was checking E online or People.com. On election day, CNN chose to focus not on voter turnout, election fraud or tight races, but rather a has-been pop star of questionable intelligence divorcing her no-talent husband. Are you kidding me?

This confirms why I never watch Glenn Beck. Supremely idiotic. What was Ellison's response?

What a spot-on piece of the dizzying effects of tokenism. DD as well as many other black professionals and students are called on to "be black" at a moments notice: the office holiday party, a heated classroom discussion, black history month. Indeed, DD is more than likely one of only a few black writers for Salon (this is an assumption I am making based on observation, more than anything else) and is called on in that capacity, (or by choice) to write pieces from "the black perspective." Its the proverbial duality of race in America that DuBois discussed generations ago. Unfortunately, I continue to identify with the token issue (only chocolate chip in the cookie, the fly in the glass of milk, etc.), as I suspect many other blacks do as well.

Thanks for a different perspective, and the laugh!