Well, folks, it looks like it's time to say So Long, Farewell and auf Wiedersehen. (Readers of this blog know I prefer Harold Arlen over Rodgers and Hammerstein, hence the title of this post.)
For two years I've blogged for the good people at AOL and it has been nothing short of glorious: Who else would give me a forum to write about everything from presidential politics to American Idol ... to my personal travails with Ped Egg and my Polish cleaning lady? This has been a tremendous experience.
Through it all my producer Will Hines has been an extraordinary collaborator and friend. We've been able to dress up a young man as Cindy McCain, consult Tim Gunn on polygamist fashions, and ask random New Yorkers about their Spank Bank holdings. And we made major news when we uncovered the Michelle Obama "Whitey" tape.
Here are a few of our favorites...
In our critically-acclaimed "Pimp My Candidate" series, Will and I analyzed the weaknesses of various 2008 candidates -- and sought remedies for those handicaps. There was Fred Thompson and his tendency to seem dead (which brought us to an herbalist) and Barack Obama's mole (which led us to ask "Keep, Remove or Hide?"). Then there was Rudy's lisp:
In our award-winning "This or That?" series, we forced innocent passersby to choose between Christian Science or Scientology ... Fried Dumplings or Steamed Dumplings ... and Beau Bridges or Randy Quaid. Then we asked them to make the hardest choice of all:
Experts were always on hand, like when we examined the world's worst sibling rivalry:
But more often the expert was you, as when we explored the protocol of hooking up at a baby shower:
Before Will took over the 180 ship, producer Dave Larzalere brought his warped wit with, among others, this classic survey:
And at the start of this venture, my pal Gideon Evans produced this gem:
Thanks to master editors Dave Kovenetsky and Doug Morrione, our longtime PA/trumpeter Andrew Oom, studio cameraman Tim Meyers, party promoter Mike Whitmore, DJ Rafael Jiminez and boss man Mike Rubens. Thanks also to Andrew Zipern, James Luria, Coates Bateman and Stephen Pendlebury at AOL.
AND HUGE THANKS AND LOVE TO EVERYONE WHO VISITED!
The irrepressible and shape-shifting John Giza (180's Alec Guinness) ... the buoyant and no doubt beautiful Gifted Girl ... future university president Blayze O'Brien ... the Spain-loving Miguel Cane ... the way-more-clever-than-me Finn ... lovably gruff Mac ... Mac's sassy spitfire co-star Sherry ... the alluring SGS ... Pittsburgh's tigress-eyed Jacqueline ... Florence Nightingale (with the funny) Andrea ... sweet as pie Ah Clem ... whip smart Clif Kuplen (is that your real name?) ... Mo-NEEK-a with the mostest ... Brassy babe Gabrielle ... kind-hearted conflay ... awol Marsha Beckerman ... and yes you, JillJG. (Have I left anyone out? Sorry!)
Until we e-meet again (and we will) ...
Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...
Mo's Blog Roll
Resources
Don't Like Goodbyes...
Posted Feb 9th 2009 11:50AM by Mo Rocca
Mo's Video
The Sound of a Smoke-Free Barack...Almost two years ago we speculated on how Barack Obama's voice would change if he stopped smoking. ...
Most Popular Stories
- Don't Like Goodbyes...
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Is it Time to get some Cheerleaders?
- How NOT to give an Oscar Acceptance Speech
- Could Jim Belushi Win the Nobel Peace Prize?
- Spring Break Sexy T-Shirt Removal Training!
- Quest for the Crown 5: Plastic Wrap to Make you Less Fat!
- Quest for the Crown 4: Work Those Heels!
Most Commented On
-
Coming Soon
Recent Comments
- Ryan Anderson on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Roert Dean on General Clark is Absolutely Right!
- Saint Brian the Godless on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Saint Brian the Godless on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Saint Brian the Godless on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Saint Brian the Godless on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- fanman on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
Mo's Bio
Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
Top News Headlines
Political Machine Blog
- Marijuana Legalization Could End Up On California Ballot
- Spokesman: Sen. Chuck Schumer Regrets Insulting Flight Attendant
- The Dude's a Woman!
- Public Has Mixed Views on Obama As Year Draws to a Close
- Republican Slows Health Bill Progress to a Crawl
- Democrat Sink Gains on GOP's McCollum on Florida Governor Race
- GOP's Burr Still Looking Vulnerable for Re-Election in North Carolina
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 7)
16. Love Ya Mo! (Really!) WHAT?!?!?!? NO, Mo! ... Mo, NO! .. No mo Mo? WHY? Where are you going? Will you be going to TV for your own show? I hope so, Mo! I would love to see your face on my Teevee every day! You wuld be a great talk show host. Maybe you should call John Mayer - and be a part of HIS show. PLEASE - just don't disappear forever!
Celiene at 1:35PM on Feb 9th 2009
17. Aw Mo,
First the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and now this?
All of my favorite things in this world are slowly being taken away from me...
- Trans Fats
- Leg Warmers
- The Go-Go's
- Nerf Frisbees
- The McRib Sandwich
- The hair on my head
- America's moral compass
- Tom Brokaw's voice
- Bill Robinson's beard
- Miley Cyrus' innocence
- Coke Classic
- NBC's ER
- my 401k
Tell me.. Where'd all the good people go???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxuCLopcEy4
Love you Roccats! Thanks for everything, Mo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgk9ouBuj-4
FINN at 2:02PM on Feb 9th 2009
18. Thanks for the laughs, Mo. It's truly a shame that AOL is dropping the one person who can take the news, and make you laugh, rather than cry. You should suggest that they dump Jim Cramer instead, as he's a pimple on the backside of humanity. You could be one of the national treasures, by comparison. Don't like goodbyes either, so later, jerk, and thanks again.
Ken at 3:16PM on Feb 9th 2009
19. It's been fun, folks! Thanks for the memories.
Special shout-outs to Cecil, Clif, Sherry, the Roccats, of course, and you too, Jill.
Much love to you all.
Babe, you know I love you...
and I'll be seeing you...
giftedgirl at 4:19PM on Feb 9th 2009
20. Okay Roccats,
A little heavy lifting needed:
re: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roccats
And keep searching for our special rascal...
Hank Kimball at 4:45PM on Feb 9th 2009
21. Whoa,
Just got out of jail for "vandalism" and I don't even own a van? Try getting an article (in good faith) posted on Wiki--it's easier to corrupt one?
Watch Mr. Shuster tonight on MSNBC.
Hank Kimball at 5:54PM on Feb 9th 2009
22. Say it ain't so!!!
You will indubitably be missed.
Wit and intelligence are in short supply in our world right now...
- Rebecca
Rebecca at 5:57PM on Feb 9th 2009
23. Oh my,I'm free well all is well,by Mo
dodacrazy at 12:28AM on Feb 10th 2009
24. Tell the truth Mo, now that Dick Cheney is a free man and out of the wheelchair, you've got to enter the Witness Relocation Program. It's almost "Duck Hunting" season and Dick just bought his Elmer Fudd hat. Don't say, "Goodbye." I'll just say, "Duck." I'm right behind you because putting him in the bunker is no petty grievance.
Cecil Jones at 6:57PM on Feb 9th 2009
25. Finn,
Think I found him using ONSTAR.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTCYLbFxTpI&feature=related
Lucky Ned Pepper at 7:14PM on Feb 9th 2009
26.
Wow, Mo !
I'll miss you here. I'm sure I can still catch you in those VH-1 re-runs :-)
You know, the I love the whatever decade thingy?
Will you continue with the "Switched" thing?The "Political Machine" thing?
Well wherever you go, I hope for the best for you :-)
mac at 7:29PM on Feb 9th 2009
27. OH Mo..Say it ain't so... I loved your specials esp. on food..There will always be Iron Chef..I will miss you keen wit..
rmes041057 at 10:48AM on Feb 10th 2009
28. I am so broken up.. I meant your keen wit..and wistful smile.. Let us know where we can track you on future blog sites.. Take care God Bless
rmes041057 at 10:54AM on Feb 10th 2009
29. No, No, No...say it ain't so Mo. The whole office hearts you! You never failed to give the staff a laugh (a water cooler fixture, you are); made one client less defiant (cranky from a trip to a very crowded NYC- is there any other kind- he loosened up considerably when we showed him your clip on table etiquette for exiting a too tight layout...ass first or crotch first); and overall involuntarily curled up my lip, from tip to tip, on any number of occasions. You are so missed (already) Mister!
uniceverse at 2:15PM on Feb 10th 2009
30.
Can we find you back at Fanatical Apathy? Or are you a never look back kinda guy? I'll always treasure my Mamma Mia! tatami mat, and I'll vaguely remember why I have it.
Looking forward to your next venture...
Holly in Tucson
slackferno at 6:06PM on Feb 10th 2009