If a debut novelist needs to get some national exposure, it helps if they're married to a "news" anchor at a big time national "news" network. Such is the case for Douglas Brunt, the author of "Ghosts of Manhattan," a novel about Wall Street masters of the universe living la vida loca before the financial collapse in 2008. While most novels written by unknown authors get lost in the literary jungles of "Amazon," Mr. Brunt was able to discuss his opus with his wife, Megyn Kelly, on her alleged Fox news show. According to "Examiner" writer, Keith Vance, this was "tacky and unprofessional." Now I don't know about that; but I do know that Megyn Kelly's husband got himself some sweet face time on a program that's supposed to be straight news. Nice work if you can get it!
Last week, Ken and Barbie Douglas and Megyn had a pleasant chat about Brunt's new book which, according to Kelly, has been getting "rave reviews." (Reviews say it's "compulsively readable," "smart shot at the absurdity of Wall Street," and "wryly comic." While "Good Reads" gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, "Our Favorite Customer," on Amazon, gave it 5 out of 5 stars.) Kelly continued with her paeans for this awesome book which isn't awesome enough to put it on the NY Times best-seller list. She said that it has been "compared to the works of Charles Dickens and Tom Wolfe." She didn't say that this homage was given by right wing money man Steve Forbes who is a Fox News contributor.
Kelly asked her "babe," how he was doing. He joked about being nervous. She said that she was "very proud" of him. He then talked about life on Wall Street, including prostitutes and drugs. She worked in a mention of a "blonde reporter" character who, wink, wink, bears no relation to anybody "we know" because, ha, ha, she's a CNBC reporter. In describing the plot of the book, Kelly said it's "a beautiful story." After speaking about the unhappiness of his main Wall Street character, Brunt mentioned that his leaving his former job was similar to Kelly's departure from her legal profession, something that she was "exceptional at." Kelly smiled sweetly as Brunt quoted some pal of his who waxed poetic about the awesomeness of Megyn Kelly, attorney at law. She giggled and gushed "this is supposed to be about you." GAG ALERT, GAG ALERT! Brunt then praised her "as the best journalist." (Obviously, the Pulitzer Committe is unaware of that fact; but then Kelly is unaware that she's supposed to be "fair & balanced.")
Kelly described how Brunt wrote the book in long-hand and that she had "the first read." She joked that she was fearful about his writing abilities because when she married him, he was a CEO of a company. But her fear was misplaced because the draft was "awesome." She reiterated how proud she was of her "honey." She repeated that the book was "getting rave reviews. She jokingly asked "who is watching our children." (Uh, some underpaid nanny?) They laughed after he said that "they're in good hands." After Kelly wished him luck and said she loved him (he loved her back), she concluded with "that was fun."
So there you have it. Almost six minutes of mutual ego stroking (and some sweet national face time for Brunt). My review - Five big barf bags!
And as I’VE said already, if the articles and commentary here hurt your ears/sensitivity, feel free to go to FoxNation, Stormfront, or wherever the hell you want to have “civilized” political discussion — or, better yet, feel free to start your own blog.
It trips me out: most wingnuts that come here for the purpose of scolding and finger-wagging like Kathleen’s doing, usually make some comment about how “nobody reads this ‘insignificant’ blog.”
Which always leads me to wonder: if this blog is so insignificant, why the hell are you here?
And why the hell don’t they EVER direct their scolding, finger-wagging, and desire to “elevate the debate” to Fox or other rightwingnut noise polluters, all of whom have larger audiences {sheeple} than this “insignificant blog?”
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@Kathleen: this thread is what I was referring to when I said that this site helps us keep sane by blowing off steam. We keep an eye on FOX on the grounds that you ignore suchlike at your own peril. Megyn Kelly is a cute, perky but very nasty piece of work and we’ve had over four years of her blatantly unfair and unbalanced delivery of the “news”. I use the word most advisedly considering that she’s supposedly got one of the “non-opinion” segments on Fox. What she and her husband did on the air belonged in the boudoir: I witnessed a mild form of pornography in addition to a gross conflict of interest. I don’t think it made even the Megyn-faithful (Hi Rick) want to buy her husband’s book.
I agree that the comments can get a bit rough here, but there’s no harm in them and it’s ephemeral. I’m not much for name-calling, either, even though I may indulge in it if particularly enraged.
Why do some people use invective, others not? Bof: My brothers work in construction. One of them is foul-mouthed while the other is always courteous (if at times devastatingly ironic). One may wish physical harm onto someone on occasion (five beers) but it’s only talk (I hope). The other one would feed his worst enemy. The soft-speaking, feed-my-enemy one is the athiest. Go figure!
Before deciding to abandon our company, however, do take a stroll over on FoxNation. They’re also letting off steam but they scare the living daylights out of me.
Is this part of the “news” or “opinion” segment of Faux sNooze?
@Kathleen Washington State: Oh, WAAAAAAAHHHH!!
For the past four years, Fox and other rightwing noisemakers have called President Obama every name in the book — except, of course, the one they REALLY want to use . . . while having the gall to say openly they want him to fail, calling themselves patriots while doing so {and everyone else un-American.}
Sorry, but when I consider that — coupled with a GOP politician who recently said slavery was a blessing in disguise for blacks {http://www.politicususa.com/arkansas-gop-state-rep-thinks-slavery-blessing-disguise-blacks.html}, and another who said Obama supporters were mentally retarded {http://www.politicususa.com/pittsburgh-area-gop-chair-calls-obama-supporters-retarded.html} — it sounds to me like rightwingnut noisemakers have some insults coming their way.
I’m done “playing nice” — whenever rightwingnut noisemakers these days complain about namecalling, “ad hominem attacks” and “wanting to raise the level of political debate,” what they REALLY want is the right to namecall all they want without anyone from the progressive side responding.
The hell with that. If you’re tired of the “trite & sleazy” articles and comments on this site, feel free to go elsewhere . . .
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= Here is an excerpt: “I’m happy to take the cash but haven’t always been happy doing the job. That’s the difference between me and Jerry and what makes him so good at what he does. He’s the perfect trader. He has an efficiency of thought. There is an elegant purity to his single-mindedness, the same simple purity a person would admire in a shark. Nothing in his spirit is at conflict with his profession.”
Another excerpt, further into the book:
" ‘What is it with these three-button jackets? Can’t you two wear a normal gd suit to the office?’ Blank looks back at me from both of them. Clearly they like the suits and had thought they were making a favorable impression. I’m feeling a little tired and grouchy and go further. “You’re not in Milan. Go to Brooks Brothers and get a normal gd suit and save yourselves some money.” Jerry chuckles, He enjoys humor abuse of anything thin and good looking. "
It’s just a fun, intelligent and enlightening political read! =
I report, you roll your eyes …
I love this writer! He sounds like I talk when I am inside my head. He is articulate, cynical, intelligent…I feel like I have a new best friend!
Now how ’bout This!:
“Ghosts of Manhattan” George Mann – 2010
- 1926. New York. The Roaring Twenties. Jazz. Flappers. Prohibition. Coal-powered cars. A cold war with a British Empire that still covers half of the globe … -
Wow. Just Wow! Battle Of The Titles anyone …