Talk Show Rules

Okay, I learned a lot from watching the premiere of The Bonnie Hunt Show yesterday. It looks like it has the potential to be a great show and really a lot of fun. She's definitely paying homage to some of the great shows of old like The Dean Martin Show, The Mike Douglas Show and others. It may take her a while to segue into a better host than guest but I think she's on the right path as long as she focuses on entertainment. But she has to follow some rules...

Rule #1
If you have Robin Williams on as a guest, don't do anything but wind him up and let him go. He was like an ADHD kid on pixie sticks. Hysterically funny. ("What's the French version of "Anne Frank"? She's upstairs!") But Bonnie kept trying to throw in a zinger of her own now and then and he totally stomped on her lines, talked over her and was pretty Robin Williams like. As the host, you need to know when to talk to draw your guests out more, but if they don't need drawing out then just lay back and let them do their thing.

Rule #2
See rule #1. Joe Mantegna "surprised" her by showing up with a heart shaped pizza. (Okay, does anyone really buy that she's surprised. The guy had enough sandwiches for a studio audience and had to get past security for cryin' out loud, no body thinks he 'just dropped by'. Pu-leez). Now Joe might have been an interesting interview but we'll never know because Robin was still in a manic phase and walked all over whatever Joe might have been saying. Wait until Robin is gone, preferably escorted off set by several large security guards, before you let the next guest come out. (Side note, I think it would be weird to be married to Robin. Aside from being only slightly less hairy than Sasquatch, he has to just go catatonic at some point after all that manic energy.)

Rule #3
If you are going to do the "kids say the funniest things" bit, please keep them to less than three minutes. After that, it wears a bit thin. Same rule applies to all family members and pets.

I think this show is going to be awesome, as soon as Bonnie hits her stride. Anyone who liked "Life with Bonnie" will like this show, as it's just a version of the 'show within a show'. Holly Wortell is even on, I'm not sure what character she's playing but I expect to see her evolve too. Check your local listing for channel and show times.

My Friend Bonnie

In my never ending quest to promote the things and people I love, today we are going to talk about my 'friend' Bonnie Hunt.

Yes, I used the showbiz term friend. I've actually never met Bonnie but I feel like we have known each other for years. You know her, too. Sure you do. If you've seen a movie in the last fifteen years, you've seen Bonnie. She plays a lot of supporting rolls and she does it well. She played Tom Hanks' wife in The Green Mile, Renee Zellweger's sister in Jerry Macguire, the mom in the Cheaper by the Dozen movies with Steve Martin (which bear no resemblance to the beloved novel of the same name but that's a different story.)

I love Bonnie because she is fresh and funny. But she isn't some over the top caricature. She's warm and real and you feel like she's that funny older sister you could tell all of your secrets to. I first saw her in the very funny but very short lived television series "Grand". Since then I've followed her through a variety of television series' (including the Emmy nominated but also short lived "Life With Bonnie", where the 'Smellgaway' leather couch will be forever one of my favorite bits of all time) and movies. She's on of the few actors around that I'd follow anywhere. Talented and smart and she surrounds herself with other talented and smart people. Wait, why haven't I met her yet?

Bonnie co-wrote, directed and starred in my favorite romantic comedy of all time, Return to Me. If you are a romantic comedy fan and you haven't seen this film, you need to run, RUN, to your video store and rent it. It is a fantastic film, sweet, funny, romantic and beautiful. It tugs at your heartstrings but in a natural, easy way. David Duchovny and Minnie Driver are awesome, and Carol O'Connor made me wish he was my Grandpa. Great supporting cast, including the beautiful city of Chicago and one of the coolest soundtracks around, featuring Joey Gian (former Star Search winner and frequent Las Vegas performer.)

Okay, I feel an affinity for Bonnie because we share the same birthday (but Bonnie is older, sorry Bonnie) and because she has done so many things that I'm envious of. But I support her in all her endeavors because she strikes me as a person who works very hard for what she has accomplished. She also used to be an oncology nurse and I figure that makes her just short of 'angel' in my book.

Bonnie has a new talk show premiering September 8th (my brother Will's birthday). It looks like it's going to be fabulous (after all this is the woman who has been called the "best talk show guest" so she knows how to give good interview.) Plus she's so real and honest that I'm sure she'll bring out the best in whomever she's interviewing. Check out this promo for her show.



The Bonnie Hunt Show will run in syndication so check here for your local station and showtime. I'm so glad that there is going to be something on besides Judge shows and Dr. Phil. Thank God for Bonnie, it'll get the bad taste of Rachel Ray out of my mouth.

Okay, end of shameless shilling for one of my favorite talents. Give the show a chance to shine and rent Return to Me. I think I'll watch it again this afternoon!