I just heard that the Vegas strip Casino Caucuses will proceed. A lawsuit from the teachers union (backing Clinton) claimed that the special "at-large" caucus sites gave the Culinary Workers union (which is backing Obama) unfair advantage. Tori, the pole dancer, will be jumping and swinging for joy.
I was at the Culinary Workers headquarters on Monday (for a CBS Sunday Morning piece to air this weekend). It was pretty interesting listening to supervisors brief canvassers on how to pitch voters door-to-door.
I also missed the premiere of American Idol on Tuesday. But the subject gives me an excuse to post a picture of myself with my favorite contestant ever:
Look, everyone! It's me and Elliott Yamin. (Or is it "It's I and Elliott Yamin!"?) The fifth-season third-place finisher captured all our hearts with his Stevie Wonder suavity and dedication to his mother. A type-1 diabetic, 90% deaf in his right ear, and an admittedly lousy dancer, Elliott defied the odds to become a fan favorite. (When I lectured at Richmond, Virginia's Weinstein JCC two years ago -- it was Purim so I made my own hamantashen to give out -- I was hardly surprised by the reverence with which they spoke about their newest hometown hero.)
I had feared that getting his famously crooked teeth straightened might affect his singing voice adversely. The most minute changes can throw off the delicate balance of intangibles that add up to star quality. Were Elliott's teeth the equivalent of Streisand's nose? The imperfection at the heart of perfection?
I'm happy to report not. His voice still sounds great - and his new teeth are terrific, even if they're slightly oversized. Plus he's a really nice guy.
***
UPDATE: During the taping of Wait Wait, I had a splitting question. When I asked the live audience if anyone had a pain killer, two lovely women bounded up to the stage. One gave me two Aleves (my favorite); the other unzipped her plastic pill carrier and out spilled several brown pills, all different shapes. What were they?!
ALSO: Is anyone from Detroit, Milwaukee or Chicago reading? I think I might eat my first Paczki this year! Have you eaten one? What can I expect?
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 5)
1. Mo, I am from Detroit and I have unfortunately eaten a Paczki. Go ahead and try one, but have a crash cart near by. I would hate to find out that your heart just decided to call it quits the moment you sunk your teeth into 2 lbs of lard.
heath at 7:23AM on Jan 24th 2008
2. This is for Linda Kubasiak in Florida. Can you PLEASE tell me where you local Polish Market is? There are not any in Orlando, FL, and I am looking for one!!
Sheri at 10:32AM on Feb 1st 2008
3. Hi Mo,
I was lucky enough to meet you at the Hamtramck Paczki-eating contest today. I was the fellow you interviewed, after I had won. As you can imagine my sugar level was a wee bit high and I forgot to ask when and where you would be broadcasting the footage. Is there a chance you could e-mail the clip to me? Thanks
Matt at 7:05PM on Feb 5th 2008
4. yo mo, you were at my familys bakery for fat tuesday, im the one that cracked the jokes with you, anyways i forgot to mention last year we made the worlds largest paczki, im not aware if anyone let you know bout that, an im not sure if its a official record but havent seen anything close to the size we made it, im not sure but the diameter ended up bein around 20 inchs, i wonder if we can somehow make it official, theres numerous pictures an media reports from local media outlets backin it, jus curious to know how to go about makin it official, and lol my bad i asked everyone if you were the guy from colbert report an everyone was telling me i dont think so, lol shoulda gave u props on your work its excellent, aight peace up hope you enjoyed your time
Mike at 6:29AM on Feb 6th 2008
5. sorry forgot to leave the link showin info an pics of it
http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=10177
Mike at 6:35AM on Feb 6th 2008
6. Hey Mo!
Thanks for signing my Paczki box! What a trip!
It was great to see you in Hamtramck. You're probably the biggest name to come through town since the Pope in '84!
mike d at 2:45PM on Feb 9th 2008
7. Mo, it was nice to see you at the Paczki-eating contest in Hamtramck. The piece on CBS News Sunday Morning was fantastic.
All the best.
Steven at 1:51PM on Jul 2nd 2008
8. My advice to you: Don't watch the Tom Cruise video right before you go to bed.
CBS should have your pieces for podcast. CBS is one of the channels my rabbit-ears have trouble bringing to me, so I always miss out. :(
mo-NEEK-a at 6:28PM on Jan 17th 2008
9. Great pic with Elliott Yamin! He is by far my favorite.
nanassetta at 7:07PM on Jan 17th 2008
10. Mo,
take it easy-
a pharmacist in my pre-homeschooling days,
I highly recommend that you obtain some "mind-altering" subs
(with 'mushrooms' and fried onions, of course :) before viewing the Tom Cruise Video....he he
MI from MD, where we've gotten atleast 12" of snow!
MI from MD at 7:42PM on Jan 17th 2008
11. I agree with Monica on this one. Everything that is awesome has a podcast, CBS Sunday Morning needs to get on the ball!!!
Now i'm extra excited to listen to Wait Wait this weekend. Still keeping my fingers crossed that your at the Pittsburgh one!
And no, do not watch the Tom Cruise video before you go to bed. Youll have nightmares of L Ron all night long, and wake up with the shakes...
Although, some scenes are pretty hilarious...
Jacqueline aka Mashka at 8:34PM on Jan 17th 2008
12. JQ - you mean "LRH". all the cool kids say it that way. ha ha
and silly me, my first thought upon hearing him say "KSW" was "King James Version" and thought "hey, even the Scientologists read the Bible."
(too many quotes. ick.)
mo-NEEK-a at 8:50PM on Jan 17th 2008
13. Luv the Pic of you & Elliott(or Elliott & you?):-) He is my favorite Idol!!!
Shellie at 10:46PM on Feb 10th 2008
14. You look tired, Mo! No offense but...
You have that "I-was-just-in-Vegas-and-I-didn't-get-any-sleep" zombie look in your eyes. Sorry... I loved your honesty about Elliott Yamin, so I felt obligated to be honest with you.
Well, I hope someone DVR'd American Idol for you Mo! It was a great opener... even though last night's was better and had better ratings! Paula was dancing and cheerleading with this crazy, pimp guy wearing a "SIMON" hat. Top notch!
I'm predicting a great year for American Idol!!! Not just because of the ongoing writer's strike... but also because the show/judges/seacrest are all seasoned to the point where they have become part of the entertainment, they drive the show and they keep it real, dog!
After last year I had really hoped it would return to its roots as a "singing competition" this year. And if you weed through all the hilarious rejects there have already been some great singers! I believe this is the year we finally get another Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood... just hopefully not another Britney or Sanjaya... stay tuned on...
American Idol '08
"Experience the changing American Idol experience!"
P.S. - I'm originally from Chicago Mo... I miss it a lot but not the 30-below-zero wind chill factor.. so instead I just watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcPmBKi_rB8
Get home safe Mo!
FINN at 10:02PM on Jan 17th 2008
15. Mo,
Saw you at "Wait, Wait" tonight. Thanks so much for bashing Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Worst name ever.
seth at 12:27AM on Jan 18th 2008