Michael Russnow

California Primary Ballot Hodgepodge: We Need a Return to Voting By Party Members Only

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.14.2012

Read More: Pat Buchanan, Al Gore, American Independent Party, 2000 Presidential Election, Louisiana, George W. Bush, California Democratic Party, Dianne Feinstein, Washington State, Proposition 14, Primary Elections, Non-Partisan Blanket Primary, Butterfly Ballot, U.S. Supreme Court, Michael Russnow, Blanket Primary System, Republican Party, U. S. Senate, Proposition 198, Peace and Freedom Party, Libertarian Party, Google, Politics News
Michael Russnow

Wasn't the purpose of political primaries to take the process out of the hands of big city bosses and to allow the citizenry of each state to choose their nominees?

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The 2012 Golden Globes: The Taming of Ricky Gervais

Michael Russnow | Posted 03.17.2012

Read More: Antonio Banderas, Starz, Episodes, The Artist, A Separation, Felicity Huffman, Martin Scorsese, Golden Globes, Woody Allen, Downton Abbey, Jane Fonda, Jean Dujardin, Michelle Williams, The Oscars, Awards Shows, Modern Family, Luther, Peter Dinklage, Ricky Gervais, Salma Hayek, Celebrities, Midnight in Paris, Homeland, American Horror Story, My Week With Marilyn, Showtime, Beginners, Fx, Kelsey Grammer, Abc, William H. Macy, Octavia Spencer, Kate Winslet, Madonna, Mildred Pierce, Pbs, Hugo, The Iron Lady, Ram Productions International, George Clooney, Enlightened, Christopher Plummer, Jessica Lange, Movies, Boss, Hbo, Matt Le Blanc, The Descendants, Game of Thrones, Idris Elba, Meryl Streep, Laura Dern, Michael Russnow, The Adventures of Tintin, Claire Danes, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

It's oddly intriguing that a lackluster show and a diluted dose of Ricky Gervais appeals to me greater than his shockmeister two prior appearances.

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The Iowa Caucuses, What Do They Prove? Shakespeare Was Right About The Masses

Michael Russnow | Posted 03.05.2012

Read More: Iowa Caucus, 2012 Elections, William Shakespeare, Ron Paul, Elections 2012, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, Brutus, Julius Caesar, Ram Productions International, GOP Presidential Race, Rick Perry, Barack Obama, Texas, Michele Bachmann, Mob Mentality, Marc Antony, Michael Russnow, Herman Cain, Gop, Newt Gingrich, Iowa Caucus 2012, Politics News
Michael Russnow

In reviewing the Iowa Caucuses, wherein former Governor Mitt Romney achieved his desired victory, I can only conclude that the votes demonstrate conclusively Shakespeare was right about the masses and their follow-the-pack mentality.

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Some Memories of Hollywood Great Hal Kanter

Michael Russnow | Posted 01.08.2012

Read More: Larry Gelbart, Sophia Loren, Deborah Kerr, Motion Picture Academy, Hal Kanter, Jack Clayton, Vincent Price, Writers Guild of America West, Separate Tables, Myrna Loy, The Sundowners, Delbert Mann, Tea and Sympathy, From Here to Eternity, Robert Anderson, The Innocents, Michael Russnow, Fred Zinnemann, Roddy McDowall, Elia Kazan, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

The great writer/director/bon vivant wit Hal Kanter died on Sunday at the ripe old age of 92. And it got me to remembering, and I decided to share the thoughts with you.

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To Be Or Not a Juror: It Ain't Easy to Be Selected

Michael Russnow | Posted 08.20.2011

Read More: Twelve Angry Men, Film, Ronald Reagan, Nell Carter, Third World America, Steve Carell, Jurors, Los Angeles, Civil Rights, Movies, Henry Fonda, Immigration Reform, Fame, Satire, Superior Court, Family Ties, Political Humor, Michael Reagan, Michael Russnow, Superior Court Department 118, Dynasty, Jimmy Smits, Anne H. Egerton, Comedy News
Michael Russnow

It's interesting to be in a group representing so-called peers, which is the whole point of a jury, yet, looking around and listening to conversations, for the most part they're people with whom I have little in common. But maybe that's a good thing.

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Should Anthony Weiner Resign for Lying?: If So, Lots More Congressmen Should Go for Their Lies and Deeds

Michael Russnow | Posted 08.09.2011

Read More: House of Representatives, Newspapers, Anderson Cooper, Cbs, Obama Health Care, Diane Sawyer, Eliot Spitzer, Family Values, Journalism, Msnbc, Prostitution, Gay Rights, U. S. Senate, Magazines, Abortion, Abc, Anthony Weiner, Bill Clinton, Nbc, Ram Productions International, Brian Williams, Chris Matthews, New York, Scott Pelley, Education, Cnn, John Ensign, Michael Russnow, Environment, Health Care Reform, Fox News, Birthers, Pro-Choice, David Vitter, Gay Marriage, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Media News
Michael Russnow

The main thing I draw from the Anthony Weiner incident is that the greater shame is in our puerile culture and how the media feeds the frenzy. On its own face their actions are ludicrous and the well-paid media honchos should be equally ashamed.

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Chekhov Alive and Well in Hollywood: Two One-Acts at the Tres Stage Theatre

Michael Russnow | Posted 08.01.2011

Read More: Theatre, The Proposal, Jennifer Vincent, LA Events, The Bear, Justin Baltz, Marx Brothers, Ram Productions International, Hollywood, Little Theatre, Satire, Anton Chekhov, John Baltz, Tres Stage Theatre, Michael Russnow, La Around Town, Russ Andrade, Amazon Beard, Katherine King, LA Culture, Los Angeles News
Michael Russnow

Classical theatre may not be your thing, but this is an evening that most would find accessible and to their liking. And as an added bonus it's cheap, with tickets just ten dollars.

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Texting in Theaters Is a Blight: Let's Make Smartphones Smarter With Apps to Obstruct Rude People

Michael Russnow | Posted 06.18.2011

Read More: Cell Phones, Magazines, Writers Guild, Anderson Cooper, Blackberry, Technology, Cbs, Luddites, Francois Truffart, Iphone, Directors Guild, Dateline, Nightline, Abc, Musical Theatre, Ballet, Texting, Twitter, Nbc, Ram Productions International, Facebook, Theatres, Movies, Opera, Cnn, Journalism, ArcLight Cinema, Internet, Michael Russnow, Smart Phones, Android, Dance, 60 Minutes, Newspapers, Colcoa, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

I'm a fan of new technology and was among the first on my block to buy a VCR. I've also been surfing the Internet for many years and bought a cell ph...

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Survivor Redemption Island: Matt Went From Champion to Totally Lose My Respect

Michael Russnow | Posted 06.07.2011

Read More: Grant Mattos, Phillip Sheppard, Born Again Christians, Jud Birza, Survivor Redemption Island, Mike Chiesl, Steve Wright, Rob Mariano, Brett Clouser, Andrea Boehlke, Survivor, Matt Elrod, Ram Productions International, Cbs, God, Russell Hantz, Television, Michael Russnow, Ralph Kiser, Christianity, Jeff Probst, Nicaragua, Jud Fabio Birza, Reality TV, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

Last night's episode caused me to jump up aghast when I saw Matt Elrod, having regained entry to the game after masterfully winning six challenges in a row, throw it all away with an incredible blunder.

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Citigroup Continues Its Dance With Reverse Splits: The Question Is Why?

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Nyse, Stock Split, Economy, Cnbc, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Aig, Ram Productions International, Business, Insurance Companies, The New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street Journal, Reverse Split, Stock Warrants, Goldman Sachs, Michael Russnow, The Bailouts, Citibank, Banks, Citigroup, Business News
Michael Russnow

Citigroup just sent me its annual statement and ballot to vote on suggestions from its Board of Directors, which, among other things, extends its flirtation with a reverse split that began two years ago.

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Donald Trump Firing David Cassidy Instead of Richard Hatch: Clearly Ratings Trump Truth and Integrity

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Reality TV, Billionaires, Mark Burnett, Dionne Warwick, Survivor, Lissa Rinna, David Cassidy, Ivanka Trump, Celebrity Apprentice, Star Jones, Nbc, Ram Productions International, Cbs, Real Estate, Gary Busey, Marlee Matlin, The Real Housewives, Eric Trump, Celebrities, Donald Trump Jr., Television, NeNe Leakes, Michael Russnow, Donald Trump, Richard Hatch, José Canseco, Abc, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

As the first Project Manager in the latest Celebrity Apprentice, Richard Hatch was not only arrogant and obnoxious, but mildly physical with the much smaller David Cassidy.

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The 2011 Academy Awards: It Gets a C-Plus at Best

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Billy Crystal, Kirk Douglas, Academy Awards, Mo'Nique, Hugh Jackman, The Oscars, Helen Mirren, Marilyn Monroe, Alfred Hitchcock, Halle Berry, Mary Martin, Christian Bale, The Fighter, Eli Wallach, Tony Curtis, David Seidler, The Social Network, Bob Hope, Billy Wilder, Gone With the Wind, Lena Horne, Anne Hathaway, John Hughes, Russell Brand, Tom Hanks, Francis Ford Coppola, The King's Speech, Ethel Merman, Michael Russnow, Reese Witherspoon, Aaron Sorkin, Kenneth Brownlow, Fred Zinnemann, Melissa Leo, Lauren Bacall, Colin Firth, James Franco, Christoph Waltz, Abc, Film, Oscars 2011, Celebrities, Natalie Portman, Award Season, Movies, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

You know the writers are in trouble when they have to rely upon Hathaway's mother and Franco's grandmother to help out in the audience. All in all the show was mediocre, but not a disaster.

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Charlie Sheen's Rant: Maybe it's Time to Stop Channeling Mel Gibson

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Mark Udall, Charlie Sheen, Islam, Yom Kippur, Richard Zanuck, Martin Sheen, George W. Bush, Liza Minnelli, Two and a Half Men, Jane Fonda, Cbs, Emmy Awards, Beau Bridges, Edward Kennedy, Jeff Bridges, Tom Udall, Television, Chuck Lorre, Muslims, Mel Gibson, Michael Russnow, Donald Trump, Anti-Semitism, Christianity, George H. W. Bush, Ram Productions, Terrorism, Emilio Estevez, Judaism, Kennedys, Vietnam War, Drug Problems, Addiction and Recovery, Germany, Cologne Germany, Religious Tolerance, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

Heretofore, I have never been a Charlie Sheen fan nor have I disliked him. I've been disappointed as have many others with his apparent shallow lifes...

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I Can Die Now, I've Met Betty White: National Treasure Stars in Hallmark Hall of Fame

Michael Russnow | Posted 09.12.2011

Read More: Parkinson's Disease, Abc, Allen Ludden, The Tonight Show, 20th Century Fox, G.E. College Bowl, The Proposal, Betty White, The Lost Valentine, TV Land, Hot in Cleveland, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Sandra Bullock, The Emmy Awards, Nbc, Password, Ram Productions International, Deborah Kerr, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Hallmark Hall of Fame, Cbs, Boston Legal, Zanuck Theatre, Michael Russnow, Craig Ferguson, Sean Faris, The Golden Girls, David Letterman, The Late Show, Television, Death and Dying, Late Night Shows, Grandparenting, The Philippines, Aging, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

As I was leaving the Hallmark Hall of Fame reception at 20th Century Fox' commissary, a studio guard wished me a good night to which I replied, "I can die now, I've met Betty White."

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Golden Globes Got a Lot of it Right: Not so With Host Ricky Gervais

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Hugh Hefner, Academy Awards, Martin Scorsese, The Tourist, Golden Globes, The Emmy Awards, The Oscars, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Mila Kunis, Ricky Gervais, Katey Sagal, Steven Spielberg, Christian Bale, The Fighter, David Fincher, Glee, Geoffrey Rush, Fx, David Seidler, Nbc, True Grit, Ram Productions International, Chris Colfer, Black Swan, Cher, Ellen Degeneres, Michael Russnow, Aaron Sorkin, Fox News, Melissa Leo, Oscars 2010, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

I was also delighted when Katey Sagal won for Sons of Anarchy. Kudos also for Chris Colfer's win for Fox' Glee. But then we had to listen to Gervais again.

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Black Swan: A Must See Even if Ballet Ain't Your Thing

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Black Swan, The Oscars, Darren Aronofsky, New York City, Lincoln Center, Ballet, Parenting, Film, Award Season, Natalie Portman, Movies, Mark Heyman, The Fighter, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Ram Productions, Arts, John J. Mclaughlin, Andres Heinz, Michael Russnow, Dance, The Turning Point, Oscars 2010, Barbara Hershey, Billy Elliot, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

Black Swan is wrapped together in a wonderful package by director Darren Aronofsky to such an extent that you are gripped from almost the beginning right until the captivating end.

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Survivor Nicaragua: Yes, Fabio, There Is a Santa Claus!

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Jud "Fabio" Birza, Reality TV, Survivor Nicaragua, Survivor, Models, Michael Russnow, Christmas, Ram Productions, Cbs, Jeff Probst, Nicaragua, Judson Birza, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

With Christmas coming, isn't it great when a miracle occurs? Judson Birza (aka Fabio on the latest edition of CBS' Survivor Nicaragua) managed to sta...

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The Fighter May Not Win Oscars, but It Ought to As the Best Fight Film Since Rocky

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Christian Bale, The Fighter, The Social Network, Mark Wahlberg, Aaron Sorkin, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Scott Silver, The Oscars, Keith Dorrington, United Kingdom, Jack McGee, Mark Zuckerberg, Directors Guild, Facebook, Frozen River, Movies, Rocky, Academy Awards, Eric Johnson, Steven Spielberg, David O. Russell, Dicky Eklund, Welterweight Boxing, Ram Productions, Paul Tamasy, Boxing, The West Wing, Nbc, Boston, Award Season, New England, The King's Speech, Michael Russnow, Oscars 2010, Micky Ward, Winklevoss Twins, Parenting, Addiction & Recovery, Family, Relationships, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

I'm not a boxing fan, but when it's part of a good story my heart races. That's how I felt encountering Rocky many years ago, and the experience was matched at a screening of The Fighter.

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ASUS Computer Products: Customer Service Ranges From Non-Existent to Unacceptable

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Asus, Taiwan, Abc, Magazines, Careers, Customer Service, Nbc, Anderson Cooper, Twitter, ASUS Customer Service, Cbs, How Tomorrow Moves, Diane Sawyer, Facebook, Brian Williams, Julio Sagastume, Best Buy, Fedex, Geek Squad, Cnn, Katie Couric, Michael Russnow, Youtube, The Future, Consumer Electronic Show, Ram Productions, Computers, Monitors, Newspapers, Google, Business News
Michael Russnow

ASUS is a Taiwanese company that hit it big in the United States. It had been mostly known for computer parts, and in 2007 decided to build computers...

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Hell's Kitchen's Gordon Ramsay: It's All About Taste, and His Is no Better Than Ours

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Oakland, Fox TV, Gordon Ramsay, Reality TV, Fashion, Sabrina Brimhall, Hell's Kitchen, Designers, London Restaurant, Fine Dining, Comfort Food, Nutrition, Eating Out, Fast Food, West Hollywood, Rob McCue, Gail Novenario, Chefs, Michael Russnow, Gertrude Stein, Fox News, Ram Productions, Nona Sivley, Gourmet Restaurants, Celebrities, Recipes, Celebrity Chefs, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

I take issue with Gordon Ramsay's presumption that he knows better than most about whether food has good taste. If something is truly better it should be apparent.

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The GOP Won Big, but the Media Has Mischaracterized the Story

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: George Bush, House of Representatives, Gop, Russ Feingold, North Dakota, Delaware, John Boehner, Sharron Angle, Anderson Cooper, Colorado, Obama Administration, Cbs, Diane Sawyer, Carl Paladino, Sarah Palin, California, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Nevada, Lisa Murkowski, Stimulus Package, Joe Miller, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Ken Buck, Joe Sestak, Ram Productions, Carly Fiorina, Senate Races, Illinois, Financial Crisis, Arlen Specter, Tea Party Movement, Bill Clinton, Abc, Florida, Alaska, Elections 2012, The Financial Fix, Speaker of the House, Nbc, Pennsylvania, Alex Sink, Brian Williams, Christine O'donnell, Barack Obama, Meg Whitman, Cnn, Blanche Lincoln, Wisconsin, House Races, Arkansas, South Carolina, Michael Russnow, Elections 2010, Health Care, Harry Reid, Lyndon Johnson, Indiana, Dino Rossi, Washington State, Media News
Michael Russnow

In the aftermath of Tuesday's election, the media has made it appear that all is lost -- the Tea Party is in control, because this narrative keeps us glued to our seats either with delight or fury. Now, the facts.

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The Election of 2010: Obama Needs Marc Antony to Set it Right

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Democrats, Barack Obama, Republicans, Ronald Reagan, Facebook, Cbs, Diane Sawyer, Harry Truman, Olympia Snowe, U.S. Senate, Gay Rights, Kenya, Anderson Cooper, Edward Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Elections 2010, Ram Productions, Abc, Al Gore, Tea Party, Stimulus Package, Nbc, Susan Collins, Twitter, Lyndon Johnson, Scott Brown, Indiana, Bi-Racial President, Maine, Virginia, 2000 Election, Brian Williams, Katie Couric, House of Representatives, Cnn, Michael Russnow, Youtube, Mideast War, Franklin Roosevelt, Gop, House Races, Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, William Shakespeare, Financial Crisis, George Bush, Politics News
Michael Russnow

There's still time to stop the madness and give the leaders we elected the proper time frame to accomplish what needs to be done.

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Can AT&T Stay in Business? Communication Giant Can't Even Communicate Within Its Own Company

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Abc, Florida, Banks, Magazines, Computers, Kari Stokes, Dsl, Anderson Cooper, Nbc, Ram Productions International, The Internet, Cbs, Time/Warner, Hospitals, U.S. Senate, AT&T, Cnn, Cable Tv, Ceos, Michael Russnow, 2001: A Space Odyssey, LED TV, Newspapers, Uverse, Business News
Michael Russnow

How can AT&T's leadership condone inefficient and ultimately uncaring processes within the same company that cause its customers such tumult?

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Cutting Meat and Switching Hands to Eat: It's the American Way, Though Not in Films or TV

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Abc, Film, Germany, Late Night Shows, Family, The Other Guys, Eating Out, Phyllis Davis, Andreas Stenschke, Nbc, Fox, Zig-Zag Style of Eating, Cbs, Queen Elizabeth II, France, Julie and Julia, Satire, Master Chef, Supernatural, The Late Show, The KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, Meryl Streep, Great Britain, Michael Russnow, Desperate Housewives, Flipped, Revolutionary Road, Leonardo Dicaprio, Ram Productions, Cw, David Letterman, Europe, United Kingdom, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

A relatively small percentage of Americans eat a la the Europeans. Yet almost all the movies I've lately been watching show American characters eating the "continental" way. The question is why?

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Honorary Academy Awards: Memo to Tom Sherak, the Separate Ceremony Is a Travesty!

Michael Russnow | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Glenn Close, Kirk Douglas, Academy Awards, Peter O'Toole, Ernest Lehman, The Emmy Awards, Deborah Kerr, The Oscars, Cbs, Irving Thalberg, Hollywood and Highland, Jean-Luc Godard, Myrna Loy, Creative Arts Ceremony, Steven Spielberg, Jeopardy, Ram Productions, Eli Wallach, Philadelphia, Abc, Award Season, Roger Corman, Nbc, Twitter, Facebook, Tom Sherak, John Hughes, Schindler's List, Tom Hanks, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Russnow, Youtube, Oscars 2010, Lauren Bacall, Kevin Brownlow, Entertainment News
Michael Russnow

The Motion Picture Academy does an injustice, not only to the recipients but to their fans, by continuing its new policy of presenting honorary Oscars at a special function in November instead of the ceremony next February.

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