TVSquad

Several months ago I made a promise that I was never going to watch the daily tabloid shows again. And I held on to that promise for a long time, and didn't watch Entertainment Tonight, The Insider, Access Hollywood or the other shows. Until last night, that is. I wanted to see if there was any news on the Owen Wilson story (though these shows claiming they have "breaking news" is truly laughable in this day of the web and instant info). I just want to report that these shows are still disgusting, ridiculous, and sleazy.

Example: On The Insider, Pat O'Brien showed clips of the hospital, with Samuel L. Jackson arriving and also Owen Wilson's brothers driving in a car to or from the place. And then they show "last known photos of the actor" (taken, um, August 8), and O'Brien describes Wilson as "running his hand through his hair," and you see Wilson with a serious look on his face. O'Brien is clearly implying that they can decipher something from a quick photo taken weeks ago on some street. Give me a break.

It's hard to believe, but Mary Hart and her legs have been hosting Entertainment Tonight since August of 1982, meaning that she is now beginning her 25th season with the entertainment news program. Throughout all the changes in how entertainment news is reported -- believe it or not, ET used to be a much more informative and sedate program than it is now -- and all of the show's male co-hosts -- remember Robb Weller? Bob Goen? John Freakin' Tesh? -- she's been there.

Now comes word that Hart has signed a multi-year deal to continue hosting the show. Since Hart is already a month shy of her 56th birthday (she got an honorable mention when I listed the hottest TV women over 50), the deal will likely take her past her 60th birthday. That's quite a feat in the youth-obsessed world she covers. Wonder if the producers still have an insurance policy out on those legs...

(S03E19) I just love it when the Fab Four pass judgement on the crappy behavior of others. It's as if they don't realize how despicable they are from day to day, or -- the more likely answer -- they just don't care. In this episode, Jerry and the gang repeatedly trash the reputation of a person who would hit a car and drive away without leaving a note. Justifiable, until you realize that Jerry lies about confronting the hit-and-run driver because he wants to date her, George is dating a married woman whose husband doesn't say "God bless you," and Kramer steals a girl Jerry's been eyeing right out from under him. Elaine seems to be in the clear here, though... she's only devious every third episode, at least at this stage of the show's run.