Friday, April 11, 2008

Now that I have some time to kill in the afternoons, I have taken to watching courtroom shows. I was on a “Judge Judy” kick for a while, and the “People’s Court” never disappoints, but I have lately become fascinated with “Judge Mathis,” He’s a judge, but he’s also like one of the Kings Of Comedy. The thing that really fascinates me is the fact that the show is recorded right here in Chicago, yet I’ve never heard of him. Why, just Thursday afternoon one of the defendants dropped a Taco Bell reference and a Great America reference. Okay, Taco Bell isn’t necessarily local, but you know what I mean. It was one of OUR Taco Bells. It’s probably the one closest to Great America.

I see that Ellen DeGeneres is coming to Chicago to record a few shows. People still say tape, but they don’t tape shows anymore. They just record them to hard drives. So I guess record is the correct terminology (as used by me in paragraph one). That is, of course, unless Ellen is doing her show live from here. But I guess they would record it anyway for reruns and time zone issues. Broadcasting is so complicated and fun. As of Thursday evening, I have not been asked to appear on the “Ellen” show, and I’m not holding my breath for that, either. I do like Ellen, and I think she’s funny and a very good communicator (good with her tongue).

For some reason I am watching “American Idol” instead of “My Name Is Earl,” ”The Office” and “30 Rock.” What’s wrong with me? I made a conscious choice to do it too. It’s not due to some TiVo malfunction or bad reception because of the storm. I’m hoping it’s the cold medicine. I accidentally took a daytime remedy this afternoon rather than one that will make me drowsy. My heart started pounding as I was trying to take a nap, and then I looked on the back of the box and I saw the word “sleeplessness.” That’s a word that should be on the front of the box, and in big giant letters. I’m afraid to mix in a nighttime medication at this point. I’m a tweaker.