Bea Arthur was a great actor. Her stature, her great deep, booming voice, and impecable timing also made her a great comedian; but that was Bea Arthur the actor. Bea Arthur the actor was a "feminist TV pioneer." Bea Arthur the person was not. I'm not disparaging her by saying that. Just commenting on her acting ability.

I, too, was astounded that Olbermann would think that Sykes' comments were "over the top." Isn't that what his immitations of O'Rielly and Murdock are? and his Worst Persons in the World list? Sykes was much funnier than any of those.

I don't understand all the fuss. What did they think they would get from Sykes? She's usually fairly four-mouthed. That she controlled. She was funny and, I think, well within bounds, never giving anything that wasn't deserved. One commentator objected to some of her comments and the rest, like sheep, all followed. I wonder if Olbermann even watched.

Hilarious! From Povich's pleated pants on, I laughed and laughed.

To those of you who want a disclaimer, nothing spoils a joke more than needing to explain it.

I've never understood how Shirley Jones can stand Marty Ingles. He is always crude and continues to be. Let's hope Shirley has some sense.

One of the few advantages of being old is that you can get away with speaking your mind. Not that Roberta McCain seems old! No wonder that occasionally I like her son. Of course she was also pretty harsh on Obama during the Primary, but what's a mother to do?

Elephantman, you make good points. However I disagree with your comments about Richard Wolffe. During the Democratic Primary Campaign, especially, I found him to be the one even-handed commentators among the raft of those on MSNBC who piled on Hillary. He was balanced even when fed leading lines by Olbermann, et al. I must admit I was surprised by his comments about Hillary and the Senate. I don't know what his evidence is.

Certainly Obama would not have given Hillary what is arguably the most important position in his administration, including the VP slot, just to gain the approval of some cranky Democratic senators. Sure, some ardent Obama supporters in the Senate were probably mad at Hillary but hardly a majority.

What a sloppy article!

In the midst of talking about Richard Wolffe's book, you suddenly refer to Gregory. How did he get into the picture?

What evidence do you have for lumping Amy Carter and Chelsea Clinton into the disfunctional category? I suppose because Chelsea had the difficult role of trying to be a healer when her mom and dad's marriage was very shakey, you think that's a matter for scorn. And I don't know if Amy Carter was a tomboy. I don't remember her that way - rather more bookish; but, even if she was a tomboy, where's the disfunction.

And who of us envied the JFK marriage? Please!

Make your point, but don't generalize to the point of being ridiculous.

I'm not sure that Letterman got a pass. I've heard and seen plenty of criticism on his remarks. I have also been disappointed that they have engendered "she deserves them, she's so dumb or has such dumb views."

I would never, ever support Sarah Palin. I do think her views are dumb; however Letterman was over-the-line. He admitted as much. I think he's probably learned a lesson. In my opinion, we liberals should not excuse such insensitive remarks - sexist and classist. I was outraged when David Shuster said that the Clinton's were "pimping out their daughter"; when John McCain said that "Chelsea was so ugly because Janet Reno was her father"; when right-wingers have called Michelle names. The difference is that Letterman has apologized; these others have not.

Sarah Palin's anger is understandable. Her continued ranting, though, is not helping her make her case. She doesn't know when to shut up or how to make a good argument.

Why is everyone so serious and righteously indignant? This was a pretty good tongue-in-cheek article with some fairly sensible advice!

Wish it applied to teachers as well. There seem to be a lot of female teachers having sex with their young male students.

Will both of the Sanfords please shut up! Get therapists and talk in private. Note: don't use the internet for your diaries.

I like Jenny Sanford's Desmond Tutu quote. Okay. Forgive him so that he can move on but if Jenny takes Mark back, she deserves him. Enough already!

Who cares about the WHY behind NARAL? I have very little respect for their political decisions even though I strongly supporta woman's right to choose.

I don't know if this is the kind of article that Salon readers want in this magazine. Some seem to think it's not inappropriate; some clearly do. Some ask why Salon editors don't listen to them. Well, obviously there's no consensus.

What I don't understand is how O'Neal can be defended or, if not defended, at least his "gaffe" dismissed as not being a big deal. I think it is beyond disgusted that he would hit on someone at his long-time partner's funeral and that he wouldn't even recognize his own daughter.

This is not "creep of the day." This this creep of the year +

What an over-written piece! Good grief. Why didn't you throw in a little Shakespeare and the Bible.

As to content, do people really like that littel weasel, Pete?

Joan, you praise MSNBC for standing, almost alone, in denouncing Republican, et al. falsehoods against the Healthcare Plan. Trouble is, only those who already agree with MSNBC watch it. Same goes for FOX. I've never watched FOX. Never would. I'm glad that WaPo has finally done something right, but we've got to have some mainstream media on the alert if we are going to influence the general debate.