VIDEO: Dylan Ratigan, Arianna Huffington use dolls to explain health care

By GottaLaff

It's come to this:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I cannot watch Ratigan. I've been driven to switch to CNN until he and "Dr. Nancy" hand off the baton to Carlos Watson or even ::shudder:: Andrea Mitchell.

Arianna Huffington's Keeping Her Eye On Lobbyists

By GottaLaff

Somebody should have done this a long time ago. It's about time:

Arianna Huffington announced today the launch of "LobbyBlog," HuffPost's eye on lobbyists.

In a release she says: "Stories about lobbyists undermining reform tend to pop up, make our blood pressure rise, then quickly drop off the media radar until the next outrage grabs our attention. Which is why we are launching HuffPost's LobbyBlog, an ongoing, consistently refreshed collection of the latest information on lobbying, lobbyists, and the tragic impact they are having on our lives." HuffPost's Jason Linkins will provide what Arianna calls "a heaping helping of attitude."

Knowing Arianna, she'll bring this to Keith and/or Rachel and we will have some good video to post.

Arianna Huffington Suggests RNC Chairman Michael Steele Needs a Therapist

G-d bless Arianna. I think that's the least of what he needs... Vid via FDL.

Vote for Media Person of 2008

Go vote!! (You know who I picked)

Who was 2008's leading personality in the media world? Who left a lasting imprint on the industry — for good or ill? Cast your vote in I Want Media's seventh annual online election to name the Media Person of the Year.

Readers of I Want Media have again suggested an eclectic crew of candidates to be considered for recognition as the year's biggest mover and shaker in the mediasphere.

The voting is open until 12 midnight ET this Sunday, Dec. 7, with the winner to be announced the following morning.

This years candidates- Tina Fey, Arianna Huffington, The Laid-Off Journalist, Mel Karmazin, Jason Kilar, Rachel Maddow, Rupert Murdoch, Eric Schmidt, The Twitter Trio and Sam Zell.

This Week: Panel Discussion on New Deal/Auto Bailout

Dedicated to The Cesca, since we both were happy to see some strong Progressive voices representin'.

Alison Stewart to Guest Host Maddow

Guess Arianna didn't go over so well. No biggie, Alison brings the snark.

MSNBC alum, and all-around TV sweetheart Alison Stewart (so says Chris, who worked with her too) will be guest hosting The Rachel Maddow Show tonight and tomorrow night. This comes after some not-so-great reviews for Arianna Huffington's guest hosting last night.

TV Guide gives a "cheer" to the hour — but it's not what you think. "Cheers to Arianna Huffington for giving us one more reason to appreciate the genius of Rachel Maddow," writes Bruce Fretts. Gawker puts together a montage of all the Huffington-esque pronunciations.

PS- Maxim named NBC's Amy Robach Hottest News Anchor.

Arianna Huffington To Sub For Rachel Maddow Tonight

Yep, the woman who wrote the forward for Cesca's book is giving it a go in Rachel's chair tonight. Should be interesting.

As first reported on TVNewser, Arianna Huffington will guest host The Rachel Maddow Show tonight on MSNBC.

Huffington writes about some of the guests being lined up, including Bill Maher, Google CEO Eric Schmidt and FiveThirtyEight.com's Nate Silver.

(snip)

Last April, questions arose about whether she was being kept off the NBC networks during her book tour. Huffington had famously feuded with Tim Russert and his wife, Maureen Orth, for nearly 15 years. Her delayed and distant comments after Russert's death in June drew more attention.

So what's changed at NBC? Seems like bygones are being left as bygones. An MSNBC spokesperson tells TVNewser: "We're thrilled to have Arianna filling in for Rachel tonight."

PS- If you want to see a funny NSFW spoof of Arianna by one of the newest members of SNL Michaela Watkins, click here.

Ben Stein on Gramm-pa McCain's chances: "Well, there's always prayer"

By GottaLaff

Because I'm apparently a masochist, I'm watching Larry King Live. Right off the bat, this nugget of a quote popped out:

Larry King: Ben, is it over?

Ben Stein: Well, there's always prayer.

Arianna Huffington is on the show, too. She's saying that Grammps has destroyed his legacy and undermined the Republican party, and that IWRC* Palin was like "the clock that struck 13."

Stein agreed: Palin is "arrogant" and "not a heavy hitter".

If anything else sounds interesting, I'll update.

UPDATE: The youth vote isn't turning out in Florida yet. Only 15% have shown up, but--and I can personally attest to this-- they procrastinate.

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"