dear zain

Dear Zain Verjee,

I like you. I really do. I didn't really appreciate you before, and I think your current status as "State Department Correspondent" is akin to The Daily Show, but I really do hope you continue to do well.

But what the frak was up with your look yesterday? Maybe you were feeling a little 28 Weeks Later and overdid the makeup, the hair? I'll be honest, Ms. Verjee, that look frightened me. It worried me. It just wasn't fair to put you alongside Miss Gorani, who looked ready and able to do her anchoring bit. You're working at the top, Zain, and that look was just... It was all kinds of wrong. And as much as I can only imagine what it must be like for you to work in such a stressful environment, I know you can do better. I mean, when you were doing Your World Today every frigging day, you consistently looked professional and well put-together. Yes, the set and lights at the time were for crap, but you rose above it. So I know and trust that you can do it.

So, please. Please invest in a mirror for your reports from the state department.

And we look forward to seeing a better-looking, more polished you.

Quest Me

I adore Jon Stewart, so when he forays into CNN International territory (okay, it was Anderson Cooper 360), it makes it all the more special to me.

Just briefly, can I just say that seeing Hala get away from those snakes in the opening spiel of IME? Precious. IT was hilarious how she was fine with one snake, but totally freaked out on getting a second one. Then again, one snake is easier to be frightened of than two.

Back to Jon Stewart and CNN International. We all know how truly and utterly British Richard Quest can be; and how much more British can he get when discussing Her Majesty, the Queen? Well, to illustrate the "proper" response on the Queen's visit to the US, Jon showed clips of Richard at his Quest-iest.

And it made me miss BizNews all over again.

Hala times two

Wow. I haven't updated here in a while. Dayum.

Since it's been a while, let's start with the fact that it's Inside the Middle East this weekend. Hooray.

It's also the French elections. Double hooray.

Since I worship Hala blindly, I can only say hooray for the double dose of Hala this weekend. But please, Miss Gorani, please don't ever use that ridiculous top with the ruffles in front ever again. Please.



And please tell me I'm not the only one who loves that Zain Verjee is now "State Department Correspondent"? It's so Daily Show, but so nice to see Zain put to good use and back on CNN International.



Oh, and, I have a personal want ad out for you, dear readers. Since the time difference does not allow me to view Hala when I want (also known as every single time she's on air), I have openings for people who want to hero worship blindly alongside myself. I would need sample writing(s), of course, but I'm probably going to say yes to whomever asks. As long as it's in the hero-worship vein of this.

Inside the Middle East!