OPERA DAY UPDATES

In Which The State of the Union became The House of Commons for a Night

-Instant analysis and polling show President Biden had a very strong State of the Union address – and Kevin McCarthy and the UltraMAGA Republicans did not. From Biden’s surprising energy to what appeared to be successful goading of the GOP to publicly take Social Security and Medicare off the table for budget cuts and a weapon to be used in the debt ceiling, Biden’s Bugs Bunny “Rabbit Season” successfully beat Marjorie Taylor Greene’s “Duck Season” reactions.

-Greene has gotten extra press for her antics. From her literal costume change (during the day she wore a black dress while holding a giant white balloon – because that was the Chinese spy balloon – GET IT?!) to a white faux fur collar that has her being compared to everyone from Cruella devil to a Real Housewife, Greene was heard heckling “YOU DID IT!” during a passage when Biden was talking about the fentanyl crisis while addressing the father of a woman who overdosed from the drug, and was the physical proof that McCarthy’s admonition to his caucus to NOT heckle and just listen (or at least try to stay awake as he did throughout much of the SOTU) showed just what kind of a leader he is.

-At least now-nemesis-to-former-BFF-to-Greene Rep. Lauren Boebert (N-R-A, CO) kept most of her lunacy off camera. Boebert Tweeted “YOU CLOSED (THE SCHOOLS)” at Biden when Biden talked about reopening schools – which were closed due to COVID in 2020 when Biden was NOT the President, and Newsweek reported Boebert was filmed at a church earlier in the day quoting Psalms 109:8, which reads “Let his days be few and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.”

-All of which made AR Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ claim during the official GOP response to the SOTU that Biden represented a choice “between normal and crazy” and trying to claim Biden and the Democrats’ insistence on tolerance, public health and bowing to “a woke mob” made Democrats the crazy ones.

-Sanders also said the Republicans need “a new generation” of leadership – and on that score, the totally normal Republican front-runners exchanged barbs that both were pedophiles. Ex-President Trump continued his war on perceived GOP 2024 frontrunner Gov. Ron DeSantis by retweeting pictures of DeSantis with students he taught when he was a teacher in high school – and supported claims that have been made by some BUT HAVE NOT BEEN CONFIRMED that DeSantis’ was drinking alcohol with underaged girls. In response, some DeSantis supporters (but not DeSantis himself, as he has chosen not to reply to Trump’s barbs directly at this time) have pointed out that Trump purchased his Mar-a-Lago compound just after – and very close to – the private island used by known Trump friend Jeffrey Epstein that Epstein used to sexually abuse hundreds of teenaged girls.

-Republicans – The Normal Party!

-In better leadership news, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy made a surprise trip to Great Britain today – the second trip he has taken since the Russian invasion – to address British Parliament, visit King Charles (still weird to write that), and thank the country for their support as he appealed to them to continue it, which is believed will happen. This occurs as Russian forces appear to be massing for what could be a new offensive as the first anniversary of the invasion approaches – and Ukrainian preparations for a potential offensive to retake Crimea continue.

-Slava Ukraini!

-And in late night television news, Variety reports that THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN is likely to be replaced by a reboot of the Comedy Central comedy game show @MIDNIGHT. The new show will be produced by Late Show host Stephen Colbert, and it is anticipated a woman will be selected to host the show rather than original host Chris Hardwick. With Corden leaving, a rotating slate of guest hosts being used to audition potential replacements for Trevor Noah on THE DAILY SHOW and sagging ratings, networks are struggling to rethink that part of the TV schedule across platforms.

-On this date in 1915, the landmark (for its film techniques and racist story) film THE BIRTH OF A NATION opened. On this date in 1936, University of Chicago halfback Jay Berwanger became the first-ever first round pick in the first-ever NFL Draft (he was selected by Philadelphia). On this date in 1943, Allied forces recaptured Guadalcanal, an important move in the eventual victory in the Pacific theatre. And on this date in 1986, the shortest man who ever competed in the NBA slam-dunk contest – the 5’ 7” Spud Webb of the Atlanta Hawks – won the event.

-Happy Birthday to William Tecumseh Sherman, Jules Verne, Classy Freddie Blassie, Lana Turner, Audrey Meadows, Jack Lemmon, James Dean, John Williams, Ted Koppel, Nick Nolte, Robert Klein, “England” Dan Seals, Mary Steenburgen, John Grisham, Vince Neill, Gary Coleman, Mary McCormack, Alonzo Mournig, Seth Green, Cecily Strong, Anderson.Paak, Julio Jones, and Klay Thompson.

-Rest in Peace/Rest in Power to Mary, Queen of Scots, Connie Mack, Del Shannon, J. William Fulbright, Iris Murdoch, Bob Collins, Derrick Thomas, Anna Nicole Smith, Marty Schotteneimer, and Mary Wilson.

-The #1 album in the United States on this date: in 2023, THE NAME CHAPTER: TEMPTATION by Tomorrow X Together … in 2013, SET YOU FREE by Gary Allan … in 2003, COME AWAY WITH ME by Norah Jones … in 1993, THE BODYGUARD soundtrack … in 1983, BUISNESS AS USUAL by Men At Work … and in 1973, NO SECRETS by Carly Simon.