Skins: Encouraging Banality? – UPDATED

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 9:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

There is a headline out there indicating that MTV’s controversial new series, “Skins” may be “in danger” of being canceled: MTV’s controversial drama “Skins” is losing advertisers faster than some of its characters lose their clothes. As FOX411 reported, Taco Bell was the first sponsor to withdraw advertising from “Skins,” quickly followed by Wrigley, Subway, Foot Locker, L’Oreal and Shick. General Motors and H&R Block both issued statements explaining that their ads were aired during the premiere by mistake and... Read more

A Delightful Morning Read!

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 9:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

I’m going to be throwing heavier, less-delightful stuff your way later today, but this delicious essay from Joseph Susanka is so delightful I must let you begin your morning with it!. Even the title makes me happy: To be Pickering in a Henry Higgins World! When George Bernard Shaw first learned of the creative licenses taken in an effort to make the ending of his play Pygmalion more marketable, he was outraged. Confronted by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree’s claim that... Read more

Trying out a New Comments Thingy

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 9:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

You may notice that the comments thingy is different than it has been. Now you will be able to reply more directly to another commenter, and if you want to go tussle between yourselves you can do that without making the comments thread difficult to follow. If people don’t want to watch the sparring, they needn’t. Tell me what you think okay? I am not sure, yet, whether I am loving it! Read more

Do you Subscribe?

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 9:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

Don’t shut me out! It never occurs to me to push the RSS feeds, but after reading this, I realize I probably should! Then you can get me in your email box, all day long…gosh, that sounds like a threat more than a promise! Anyhow, you can subscribe to this site by putting your email address into the little box that says “Subscribe!” in the right hand sidebar. I’d miss you if you missed me! Read more

American Idol and Human Dignity – UPDATED

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 9:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

Who would have thought it? I’ve been a vocal critic of the way American Idol so often showcases people at their undignified worst (admittedly with their permission) during the auditioning process. Paradoxically, that winnowing-the-worst process eventually permits the audience to witness others at their artistic best, because art can be transcendent. It invites the God-spark. This season, however, American Idol seems to be collecting an unusual number of contestants with personal stories that affirm the dignity and value of human... Read more

US vs Tiger Mothers, Lion Fathers – UPDATED

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 9:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

Our Sunday Visitor is carrying a piece of mine looking at the controversial question of whether the berating Chinese “Tiger Mother” is truly superior to the doting and timid “you’re so special!” Western mode of parenting. I am of two minds on it: In America we have allowed genuine excellence to be sacrificed upon the altar of our children’s self-esteem, and our barely earned praise has become a kind of cheap grace. In our schools, every test gets a star,... Read more

A Prayer Request for Jeanne

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 9:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

From reader Carolyn: A few months ago you posted a video of a young lady singing a beautiful song . She was blond and sang with no music or very simple musical accompaniment. She was singing about the Lord being with you in the most desperate of circumstances. I think you may have posted it in October or early November. I searched your archives and can’t find it. Could you please post it again or email me the name or... Read more

Okay, I love the snowstorms…

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 9:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

As I noted over at facebook, I am so fed up with the weather that I must amuse myself with boomdeadas while I work. Over and over again. Stick with this one – the Lion King and Whose Line bits are great. Boomdeada, boomdeada, boomdeada boomdeada… Read more