Did anna nicole have monty python’s child?
P&J would refer to the media coverage of Anna Nicole Smith’s death and the related custody battle as beating a dead horse, but that would have the bad taste bell ringing like a cell phone. Yet out of this horror show-cum-circus, we were at least able to get one good laugh, however unintentional.
When the press conference was held to announce that Smith’s death was caused by an accidental overdose of drugs, the police chief of Seminole, Florida, was introduced to field questions. His name is Charlie Tiger.
Anyone familiar with Monty Python’s Flying Circus may recall a very droll sketch built around a supposed murder in a drawing room. When John Cleese enters and announces his presence, he says, “I’m Inspector Tiger.” Everyone in the room says, “Tiger?”, whereupon Cleese spins around and shouts, “Where?” The gag goes on, as after Cleese is shot, another constable enters and introduces himself as “Inspector Theres-a-man-behind-you,” and you can take it from there. But thanks for lightening up the moment, Chief.
In another man’s shoes
There was an excellent op-ed piece in the New York Times of March 20 by Saunderstown resident Bob Leuci, a former NYPD narcotics detective who was the Serpico-like inspiration for the novel Prince of the City.
His latest book, All the Centurions: A New York City Cop Remembers His Years on the Street, 1961-1981, should be required reading for anyone who believes the wars that take place on our streets — Providence being a prime example — are more than just good versus evil.
Leuci’s op-ed addressed the issue of the three NYC police officers now being prosecuted for the tragic death of Sean Bell, who was shot amid a fusillade of gunfire outside a club in Queens after his bachelor party. This, predictably, set off Al Sharpton, media junkie and clown politician, like a cherry bomb, especially when the TV cameras were rolling.
Leuci explained how difficult it is to make split-second decisions as a police officer, and he even questioned his own flawed judgment of another cop, the son of a former detective partner of his, after an allegation of abuse of a victim. The old line is “Walk a mile in my shoes,” and Leuci’s commentary hit all the right notes, recalling the time when walking those miles was along some very mean streets.
This is yet another resident of the Biggest Little whose stature is taller outside our borders than within.
Rising from the dead
At Casa Diablo, we religiously watch Channel 36’s A Deadly Experiment. That is except when Representative Joe Trillo is a guest, and then we have a couple of options: shut the TV; get pillows, blankets, and prepare to take a nap (the man is better than Sominex); or get small balled-up socks to throw at the television screen.
It’s been our opinion that the show has been foundering ever since Steve Kass left as the regular host. Most recently, Jim Hagan, the former longtime president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, has been acting as the host, and while he is a knowledgeable and affable fellow, he sucks as the moderator.
If you’ve been watching the show for the past few weeks, you will have noticed what a difference having a real pro makes. Ron St. Pierre, veteran broadcaster and WPRO-AM morning show host, has been sitting in for the vacationing Hagan. If we were the folks at Channel 36, we’d beg him to stay. With St. Pierre setting the tempo and the tone, the show moves seamlessly
Few in Vo Dilun broadcasting have Ron St. Pierre’s skill set: his ability to keep things moving, to conduct interviews, to draw out reluctant newsmakers, etc. The key of all this is getting to the essence of things immediately and then smoothly moving on. It’s a feat of self-editing and discipline, and the real pros (like St. Pierre) can do it without missing a beat.
