Beyonce, Justin Timberlake on 'Saturday Night Live' (video)

Beyonce Knowles appeared on 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL) last weekend where she performed her singles 'If I Were A Boy' and 'Single Ladies'. Though her performances were hot as usual, it was overshadowed by her appearance with fellow guest Justin Timberlake. This is evident from the number of blogs (like this one) and entertainment news articles who have written about her Timberlake number rather than her musical performance. He he. No, they didn't perform together, not exactly. What they did was a skit, a parody of the superstar's 'Single Ladies' video where Timberlake threw caution to wind and danced in tights and heels with Beyonce.

In the skit, Paul Rudd appeared as the director of the video who hired three male backup dancers (who later turned out to be his sons) to do the video with Beyonce despite her protests.
What made this sketch hilarious was the sight of Justin Timberlake, pop heartthrob and sex symbol to many of his female fans, dancing in leotards and heels. It was so 'brave' of him to do that. He he. You what I think will top this one? A similar SNL parody of Britney's 'Womanizer' video, with Justin Timberlake as a backup dancer in drag as well.

I tried looking for videos of Beyonce's musical performances on last weekend's 'Saturday Night Live' to no avail. Nobody seems to be interested in posting them on YouTube. However, I found the following photos (left and below) of her performance on tvshark.com which aptly captured how hot her performance was. Hope to still find a video of it in the coming days. I'll post it here for sure.

Beyonce Knowles & Justin Timberlake on Saturday Night Live
SNL 'Single Ladies' Video Parody

Beyonce Knowles on Saturday Night Live (SNL) Photos

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Jeff Dunham videos: Jeff Dunham with Peanut, Achmed, etc.

Jeff Dunham is currently the toast of the internet with searches for 'jeff dunham', 'jeff dunahm.com', 'jeff dunham christmas special', 'jeff dunham website' and 'jeff dunham peanut doll' topping the charts. At first, I didn't know why. I couldn't even recall who Jeff Dunham was until I read a few blog entries about him to refresh my memory (Forgive me guys, it was another 'memory gap' attack). I then recalled having seen him in a few Comedy Central presentations and laughing my heart out from his brand of comedy. His YouTube clips are hilarious, too.

For the uninitiated, Jeff Dunham is a stand-up comedian and ventriloquist, famous for his hilarious puppet creations. His usual puppets include a doll named Peanut; a bitter old man named Walter; José Jalapeño on a Stick, a talking Jalapeño pepper on a stick; Achmed, the Dead Terrorist; a
redneck named Bubba J; a superhero named Melvin the Superhero Guy and Jeff's manager Sweet Daddy D. You can find a number of videos of his appearances in various Comedy Central presentations and television guestings on YouTube. He has also done a few specials including 'Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself', which was released in 2006, and 'Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity', released last year. I tried to look for the completes videos of these specials on line to no avail, although there are a few short clips available. Guess, I'll have to buy the DVD version. He he.

His most recent special, 'Jeff Dunham's Very Special Christmas Special' was aired last night on Comedy Central, hence the surge of interest on the web, and based on some blog entries that I've read, it was again a riot. Suffice it to say that thousands are waiting for a clip of that special to turn up on YouTube. And since I wasn't able to watch it from our neck of the woods, I've been trying to secure even a short clip to satisfy my curiosity. None so far.

My favorite among Jeff Dunham's many puppets is definitely Achmed, The Dead Terrorist. All bug eyes and bones, he releases hilarious, politically-incorrect one-liners and insults with gusto to the delight of the audience. Peanut is funny too, but Achmed's eyes, voice and those furry little eyebrows get me laughing just by looking at him. See for yourself in the following videos I got from YouTube. BTW, one of Achmed's biggest hits is his version of a famous Christmas carol, 'Jingle Bomb'. Watch the clip at the below and follow the 'Jingle Bomb' lyrics provided at the bottom. Guaranteed to make you laugh!

Jeff Dunham and Achmed, The Dead Terrorist (Video 1)

Jeff Dunham and Peanut Doll Video 1

Jeff Dunham and Peanut Doll Video 2

Jeff Dunham and Bubba J (Video 1)

Video: Jeff Dunham and Achmed, The Dead Terrorist, Singing "Jingle Bomb"

Jingle Bomb Lyrics, by Achmed, The Dead Terrorist, and Jeff Dunham

Dashing through the sand
with a bomb strapped to my back.
I have a nasty plan
for Christmas in Iraq.
I got through checkpoint A,
but not through checkpoint B.
That’s when I got shot in the ass
by the US Military…

[it's not funny!]

Oooh, jingle bombs, jingle bombs
Mine blew up you see.
Where are all the virgins
that Bin Laden promised me?
Oooh, jingle bombs, jingle bombs
Your soldiers shot me dead.
The only thing that I have left
is this towel up on my head.

I used to be a man,
but every time I cough,
thanks to Uncle Sam,
my nuts keep falling off.
My bombing days are done.
I need to find some work.
Perhaps it would be much safer
as a convenient store night clerk.

Oooh, jingle bombs, jingle bombs
I think I got screwed.
Don’t laugh at me because I’m dead
or I’ll kill you…



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UFC 91 video: Lesnar vs Couture UFC 91 fight results video

The UFC 91 main event is over, with Brock Lesnar stopping heavyweight champion Randy Couture in the second round of the UFC 91 fight a few hours ago. It was a technical knockout for Lesnar as the referee stopped the fight at 3:07 when Couture couldn't answer a series of punches from the eventual champion as he lay on the mat. The victory made Brock Lesnar the new UFC heavyweight champion in only his fourth pro fight.

I was scouring the internet for coverage of this fight since yesterday until fight time today, and I'm sure many UFC fans in our neck of the woods were doing the same as no other coverage of the UFC 91 fight in available here. Unfortunately, luck wasn't smiling one me. Though there were some advertised video streams of the UFC 91 fight, I wasn't able to watch them as my broadband connection decided to take a leave at the last minute, leaving me
cursing and screaming. Argh! There was nothing I could do. Fortunately, YouTube came to the rescue once the UFC 91 fight was over and I found the following UFC 91 fight videos to save the day for me.

Randy Couture didn't have a chance. When that short right cross landed behind his ear, I knew the fight would be over soon. But it was not just that blow that did it for him. Even before the fight started I had a feeling that he wouldn't last inside the ring as Brock Lesnar is just too big and too powerful for him. Standing at 6'3" and weighing 275 pounds against Couture's 6'1" and 220 pounds, Lesnar had a distinct advantage. Add to this the disparity in their ages (Lesnar is 31, Couture is 45) and Randy's 15-month absence from the ring and you'll understand why Brock was the solid betting favorite in Las Vegas. (Photos courtesy of NBC Sports and the Associated Press)

UFC 91 Video: Brock Lesnar vs Randy Couture Fight Round 1

UFC 91 Video: Brock Lesnar vs Randy Couture Fight Round 2

UFC 91 Video: Brock Lesnar vs Randy Couture Fight

Brock Lesnar vs Randy Couture UFC 91 Fight: Round by Round

The following is the full account of the Lesnar vs Couture UFC 91 title fight as it happened, courtesy of Mike Chiappetta of NBC Sports:

Lesnar walks out to "Enter Sandman." The crowd is captivated by him, but there's no explosion for his entrance. They're saving it for Randy. Aerosmith's "Back in the Saddle" fires up for him. Couture has the same placid look on his face we're used to as he walks the aisle and fans reach out to touch the legend. No extra energy wasted, just waiting to uncoil. As Michael Buffer announces the champ, the crowd lets loose the cheer they've been waiting to unleash for 15 months.

Round 1: Couture clinches him against the cage early and looks for separation to throw offense. Lesnar bulls his way into a reversal and puts Couture against the cage. Coming off the fence, Couture lands an overhand right that stuns Lesnar momentarily. Lesnar tries the steamroll take down, but Couture reads it and they work against the cage before Lesnar puts him down. Couture works his way out, grabs Lesnar's legs, tries to take his back. Lesnar muscles him off and takes Couture down again. The crowd reacts to everything and chant's "Randy, Randy." With 1:30 left, Lesnar works to half-guard and lands a couple hard lefts. Couture stands back up again. They both work the clinch as the round winds down. Close round, slight edge to Lesnar.

Round 2: Lesnar rocked Couture with a punch. Couture wobbled but was able to stop the take down as they clinched against the fence again. Great exchange, Lesnar knee followed by a Couture combo. Lesnar's cut, but responds with a left hook. Both men expending a lot of energy, one trying for the take down, the other defending. Lesnar hurt Couture with a short right cross right behind the ear. Couture went down and Lesnar pounced, taking side control and landing a decisive series of shots as Couture tried to defend. Referee Mario Yamasaki gave Couture every chance to defend himself, but with the champ taking a beating, finally stopped the fight at 3:07 of the round, making Lesnar the UFC champion in only his fourth pro fight.

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23andme / 23 and me: affordable DNA testing at 23andme!

What is 23andMe and why is everyone interested in it? Why is it suddenly such a hot topic in cyberspace? Those were the questions that entered my mind when I saw '23andme' and '23 and me' topping Google Trends this morning. Is it just a fad, a flash-in-the-pan craze that will be forgotten in no time, or is it something significant, something that will help many of us. A few minutes of careful clicking and research revealed the answers I was looking for.

23andMe (23 and Me) is a personal genetics and biotechnology company based in California (Mountain View to be exact) offering affordable DNA testing services to help individuals understand their own genetic information, enabling users to search and explore genes contributing to their personal characteristics, such as lactose intolerance, athletic ability, and food preferences; learn how the research studies relate to their genomes; compare their
profiles to family and friends; and discover their genetic roots, as well as to gain insights into their ancestry, genealogy, and inherited traits. The health analysis also tests for about 90 predispositions ranging from what eye color you'll probably pass on to whether you're likely to get arthritis someday. 23and me is just one of many that offer such services. However, what sets it apart from the others is its easy and affordable approach to getting one's DNA tested and the unique way in which its clients can keep track of their results as well as updates on new health research that may well be significant to them through Web-based interactive tools.

Started in 2006 by Anne Wojcicki, a former health care industry analyst, and Linda Avey, a bio pharmaceutical industry veteran, 23andMe offered $999 to $2,500 priced tests in its aim was to encourage people to learn about their genetic information and thus help propel understanding of human genetics, bring the promise of personalized medicine and accelerate the discovery of new drugs. However, prices of DNA testing were recently reduced to $399. Upon ordering online, customers are sent a kit by mail that includes a test tube to spit in for the saliva sample and registration materials to log in online. Once the sample is registered and mailed back to 23andMe, customers can expect results in about 4-6 weeks.

TIME has recently named 23andMe (23 and Me) as its 2008 Best Invention of the Year. Though not as well-known as the iPhone (last year's winner) or YouTube (another winner several years back), the company was cited because "it does the best job of making them (DNA testing service) accessible and affordable." Not one to rest on their laurels, the company is continuously looking for other add-on services for its many clients. 23and Me is launching some online social networking features to create a place for users to learn about and share the insights they glean from their DNA. It also is working on a project with the Parkinson's Institute to use the internet to advance disease research. (Images courtesy of 23andme.com)

23andMe (23 and Me): Anne Wojcicki and Linda Avey Interview

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Sarah Palin - Matt Lauer Nov 11 interview (video / transcript)

It seems former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is on a mission with the media these days (or is it the other way around?). Fresh from her extensive interview with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren last night, she was on television again this morning. This time it was with Matt Lauer of the Today Show doing the interview in Alaska. But that's not all, reports say she will be doing another interview later on with CNN's Wolf Blitzer and Larry King. Tight schedule, isn't it? Looks like she's making herself more available to the media after a campaign where she was accused of doing the exact opposite.

Sarah Palin's critics and detractors aren't happy with this development. From the many comments I have read since yesterday's Greta van Susteren interview up to the few about her
Matt Lauer stint, they were one in asking "Why?". For them, a losing candidate such as Sarah Palin should just keep quiet at this point, fade into the background like her predecessors. Unfortunately for them, it looks like Palin plans to be very visible in the days and weeks to come.

Though she has denied any definite plans for 2012, action speaks louder than words. These interviews are obviously geared towards enhancing her image for a possible repeat run in the next elections or, according to Greta Van Susteren, "at least burnishing her status as a party leader." Sarah Palin, despite all the negative issues from the campaign that still hound her, is trying to take advantage of the limelight to sell herself, erase the negative, and leave a lasting positive impression while she hibernates.

Sarah Palin - Matt Lauer Interview Video 1 (Today Show 11/11/2008)

Sarah Palin - Matt Lauer Interview Video 2 (Today Show 11/11/2008)

Sarah Palin - Matt Lauer 'Today Show' Interview Transcript

I began my interview with Governor Sarah Palin by asking her if she was surprised by the margin of the Obama victory.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

Palin: You know, it did. I thought that it would be closer. But then, taking a step back and being able to consider why it was that the margin was as great as it was, it -- it makes sense. We didn’t get the Hispanic vote and that was very significant. And when you consider that we were outspent so tremendously, it makes sense there, also, that, perhaps, the margin was going to be larger than we anticipated. And then just that anti-incumbency sentiment, really, that spread across the land and our ticket representing the incumbency -- it’s really no -- it’s not so much a surprise, after all, that the margin was as great as it was.

Lauer: One thing you didn’t mention in that laundry list, was you didn’t talk about the strength of Senator Obama. I mean, it -- it turned out that he was a remarkable candidate in these times.
Palin: He -- he did a great job in articulating his -- his ability to usher in change -- the change that American voters certainly have been seeking. And perhaps, again, our ticket represented too much of the status quo because, you know, we’ve got the “R” by our name, by our ticket.

Lauer: When you did know it wouldn’t go well for you?
Palin: I -- you know, I didn’t know until the -- the...

Lauer: Right up through election night?
Palin: Absolutely. I had great faith that, you know, perhaps when that voter entered that voting booth and closed that curtain that what would kick in for them was, perhaps, a bold step that would have to be taken in casting a vote for us, but having to put a lot of faith in that commitment we tried to articulate, that we were the true change that would progress this nation. So again, the margin was pretty surprising to me.

Lauer: There is this feeling -- and some of this comes from leaks and other just perception, people getting a gut -- that there was increasing tension between you and Senator McCain in the final stretch of this campaign. Tell me what the relationship was like.

S. PALIN: We have a great relationship. Had from day one. Had the first time that I met him last year, he and his wife. I just have been great admirers of them, of their family, of all that Senator McCain has accomplished. Never once was there any inkling of tension between the two of us. Perhaps within the campaign there were campaign staffers who...

Lauer: Well, describe that for me. Who was butting heads?

S. PALIN: You know, I don’t even know. That inside baseball stuff regarding the way a campaign works on that level -- I certainly didn’t get bogged down in any of the potential skirmishes or perceived problems.

Lauer: Have you listened to some of the leaks that have come out since the election where -- where they’re saying that the McCain people leaked anonymously -- are saying, “We couldn’t control her, she was a rogue, she didn’t want our consultants around her and it became tense.”

Where did stories like that come from?

S. PALIN: I honestly do not know, because it’s not true, Matt. And Senator McCain and I, we have a great relationship. I have nothing but honor and admiration and love for him and for his family, and I think that is mutual. In fact, I talked to him just today, again, and we -- touching base nearly every day.

Lauer: So, it’s a warm and friendly relationship even to to this day?

S. PALIN: Very warm and friendly and professional. And I -- I -- again, I have nothing but honor and admiration and love that I will show for this great American hero.

Lauer: According to a recent article in Newsweek and some other reports, on election night, you showed up at the Biltmore in Phoenix...

S. PALIN: Yes.

Lauer: ... and things weren’t going well. And you had some copy in your hands. You had some remarks that you would have liked to have given to that audience, and, in effect, to the nation, prior to Senator McCain giving his concession speech. And you were told, “No”.

S. PALIN: Well, I had a speech that, you know, I was going to give that we’d worked on about a week. And the speech was...

Lauer: Had you cleared with anyone? Had anyone -- anyone said it might be an opportunity for you to speak?

S. PALIN: Oh, certainly, the -- the speech was written in -- in cooperation and conjunction with a couple of the speech writers in the campaign -- and had written that as an introduction to this great American hero. And of course, we had two speeches in our back pocket.

Lauer: Right.

S. PALIN: One was a concession speech that would introduce him, and it would do what John McCain just can’t seem to do for himself -- bless his heart, because he’s not that kind of man -- where I was going to brag him up and say, “You know, truly he’s an American hero, has faced great adversity, knows how challenges are overcome. And let us -- let us be thankful for this man, who with a servant’s heart had offered himself up to...

Lauer: So that sounds like a good idea. Why weren’t you allowed to do it?

S. PALIN: I don’t know. It was a great speech because it also then, also said, “OK, but American voters have spoken, so now, let’s all come together. I know Senator McCain wants to lead in an effort of unity here in our nation, and let’s work with President-elect Obama and let’s go forward.”

Lauer: So you walked up and you said to somebody in the campaign, “Look, I’ve got these comments I’d like to make. I want to,” as you say, “brag on him a little bit?”

S. PALIN: Yes.

Lauer: Who said no?

S. PALIN: Somebody said no, they said that it would be unprecedented, that a V.P. candidates wouldn’t introduce someone in a concession speech. And you know, all I could say was...

Lauer: Were you disappointed?

S. PALIN: A little bit because again -- not -- not for me personally to get to be up there on the stage and give one last speech, but to be able to say, “This is an American hero. Let us be thankful for what he just offered our nation. Now, let’s all work together to support the new president.

Lauer: Did you ever consider going to Senator McCain that night and saying, “Look, you know, I’d like to say this about you, would it be OK?

S. PALIN: By that time it was, you know, literally walking -- walking down...

Lauer: So this happened in the last minute.

S. PALIN: ... the aisle, almost going up to the stairs, yes.

S. PALIN: And all I could think of was, well, even if it were unprecedented -- and I haven’t done research to see if other V.P. candidates had done such an introduction of their presidential candidate.

Lauer: Right.

S. PALIN: But, you know, I thought even if it was unprecedented, so what, you know. Geez, let’s do something a little bit out of the box there.

But those were the type of shots that were called that I didn’t have control over. And in the end, though, that’s -- that’s somebody else’s problem or business.

Lauer: But you bring up a good point, because there have been some people who said that you never were used to having these political consultants around you, these other people calling the shots, that that’s just not in your DNA. Did you have a hard time with that?

S. PALIN: Well, I, like Senator McCain, we’re both quite independent. And that, too, is, I think, why we got along so well, also. In fact, my husband said, we’re so much alike it scared him. That we, we’re both independent. We both call it like we see it. We speak from the heart. And once in a while to have somebody tell you what you should or should not say, it...

Lauer: Were they trying to make you something that you’re not?

S. PALIN: You know, I don’t -- I don’t know.

Lauer: Can I bring up the wardrobe, Governor? Do you mind? Again, some of these reports that have come out post-election.

S. PALIN: All anonymous, though, so far, right?

Lauer: Exactly.

S. PALIN: Yes.

Lauer: Said that -- anonymous leak that some top McCain advisers were, quote -- and this is from Newsweek -- “flabbergasted by the amount of money you spent on clothing and accessories for yourself and your family.” S. PALIN: Well, I’m flabbergasted that anybody would say that I spent any money on clothes for me or my family. When I arrived at the Republican National Convention, there were stylists there, there was a wardrobe there. Receipts show that the wardrobe was being purchased before I even arrived at the convention for me and for eight members of my family. So I’m flabbergasted that anybody would still say that I purchased clothing from these...

Lauer: So the leaks that say you were told buy a certain number -- you had a clothing allowance almost -- but you were told buy a certain number of suits and then you exceeded that and that other people go out on their credit cards and buy things, patently false?

S. PALIN: What is patently false is that I ever asked anybody at this convention to go out and buy me anything. Certainly, I arrived with an overnight bag. I mean, that wasn’t much. But if I would have had two minutes out of the day, I could have gone to a store myself and purchased these things.

Also, though, it’s been reported that, you know, I insisted on going to Neiman Marcus and to Sachs.

Lauer: Right, designer duds.

S. PALIN: I’ve never been in these stores, you know...

Lauer: But did you have other people go to those stores for you?

S. PALIN: No, I did not order up these clothes. The New York stylists who were already there and already orchestrating what the wardrobe should look like. Just like they have people to figure out what the staging and the lighting and everything else, the wardrobe, I guess, was a part of that.

But, no -- and here they say that it was $150,000 worth of clothes. I haven’t seen $150,000 worth of clothes. What I understood now is that about a third of those clothes got sent back right away because they weren’t going fit or weren’t -- you know, that didn’t fit what they wanted the family to look like. Another third did follow me along the trail, and those have all been sent back. And then another third stayed in the belly of the airplane the whole time.

Lauer: I understand -- and I think your father made this comment today -- that you actually spent some time this last weekend at home...

S. PALIN: Yes.

Lauer: ... going through things.

S. PALIN: Yes. Yes.

Lauer: ... preparing because the story is that there is a lawyer either on his way -- or I don’t know if that person’s been here, he or she -- coming to Alaska to kind of do a wardrobe audit on you.

S. PALIN: That’s absolutely false, unless they’re doing that without telling me that. But, no, we don’t have any of the campaign’s clothes in our possession. And it was never anybody’s intention to keep these borrowed clothes from the RNC.

When staffers traveled with us from the lower 48 up to Alaska and we had boxes of campaign stuff -- which include, like, stickers and campaign buttons and hats and T-shirts -- loading all that stuff back up after emptying the belly of the plane of all this stuff. And that took place in our living room...

Lauer: Right.

S. PALIN: ... over the past couple days. We put it all in boxes, put it in the FedEx plane and sent it back to the headquarters.

Lauer: This got so much attention, and I think because it flew in the face of the image that was portrayed of you when were you first introduced to the American people. At least people in Alaska knew who were you were.

S. PALIN: Yes.

Lauer: ... but when you were introduced to Americans it was the hockey mom.

S. PALIN: Yes.

Lauer: It was the woman who was going to appeal to the blue- collar folks in this country. And all of a sudden we’re hearing about this expensive wardrobe and Neiman Marcus and designers, and words like “diva” are coming out.

S. PALIN: Yes.

Lauer: How did that make you feel?

S. PALIN: Well, it made me feel like people -- unless they’re going to put their -- their name and face to a false allegation like that, any allegation, then they’re cowards.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Lauer: Meredith, in our next half hour we’re going to have much more of our conversation with Governor Sarah Palin , including a trip to her home in Wasilla, Alaska. She’ll take us there.

She prepares dinner for us and her family. We’ll get to talk to Todd and four of her five children. And she’ll also talk about some of the rumors that circulated during the campaign that were particularly painful for her, including one that her infant son Trig was not in fact her own child, that it was someone else’s baby.

The governor will address that in our next half hour, Meredith.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

Lauer: Todd, are you more or less likely to scream the next time your wife says, “Hey, there’s another campaign in our future? Are you -- you know, you have more in you for that? I mean, if...

T. PALIN: Those are...

Lauer: ... been talk about the Senate and even 2012, the presidency. How do you feel about that?

T. PALIN: Those are questions that maybe I should have asked when she told me she was going to join the PTA...

... so it’s a little late for that.

Lauer: You’re along for the ride, right?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Lauer: That is Governor Sarah Palin and her family; her husband, Todd, of 20 years at home in Wasilla, Alaska.

As we spoke yesterday, the governor was gracious enough to invite me and some of my producers to her home for dinner. On the menu, halibut and salmon casserole. And you know what? It was really good.

While we were there, we had a chance to talk to Governor Palin about the highs and lows of the campaign and what the future holds for her.

Meanwhile, it is now 7:30 on a Tuesday morning, the 11th day of November 2008. I’m Matt Lauer reporting live from Anchorage, Alaska. Meredith is back in Studio 1A in New York City.

And, Meredith, do you think the producers would let me get away with calling this my ends of the earth trip?

VIEIRA: I don’t think so. Nice try, Matt. But, uh-uh. I don’t think so. You’re coming back and then going out again.

But I’m actually looking forward to dinner with the Palins.

What was your biggest surprise when you met the family?

Lauer: You know what, this is a very down-to-earth family. You know, over the last couple of months we got used to watching Sarah Palin on the road with the Secret Service around here and state troopers everywhere. None of the trappings of the campaign remain. She is someone who drives the 45 miles between Wasilla and Anchorage every day herself -- no driver. And when she’s home, she is a working mom, cooking dinner, as I mentioned, for her family and for visitors. And so I think that it’s just that how down to earth she appears to be is what really surprised me most.

VIEIRA: And her kids -- those kids are so cute. Looking forward to it, Matt.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VIEIRA: Now let’s go back to Matt in Anchorage.

Lauer: All right, Meredith. Thanks very much.

Campaigns can be grueling for the candidates and their families. They’re filled with highs and lows.

And in this section of our interview with Sarah Palin , I start by talking to her about what was probably the highest moment of her run for the vice presidency: her speech before the Republican National Convention.

S. PALIN: It was a wonderful night because I had my family there with me -- my parents, my siblings, Todd and the kids. And, you know, I knew that it was an opportunity to be there representing the middle class, hard-working American families facing challenges that certainly my family faces.

Lauer: Nerve-racking?

S. PALIN: Not nerve-racking, not at all. Because, again, you know, I knew that the message was right and I knew that people were there because they actually wanted to hear what John McCain and I had to say in that convention.

Lauer: And when you sensed the excitement in that room as you concluded that speech, did you go into the wings of the stage and say, “Yes, this is going to go great”? And did you have any idea that about a month later, people would have the knives out for you?

S. PALIN: I did not know that it would be as brutal a ride as it turned out to be, in terms of some of the shots taken against my kids and the false allegations.

Lauer: What was the biggest misconception that you would have loved to have corrected at the time?

S. PALIN: It started off with the rumors, the speculation, even in mainstream media, that Trig wasn’t actually my child, that Trig was somebody else’s child and I faked a pregnancy. That was absolutely ridiculous. And it took days for that false allegation (inaudible) be corrected.

And then rumors right off the bat, too, that, you know, I was some -- some wacko. That as city manager I tried to ban the books in our local library, and they listed the books that supposedly I tried to ban, books like “Harry Potter” that hadn’t even been written when I was the mayor and the manager. And things like that, that so easily could have been corrected if -- if reporters would have done their job.

Lauer: Governor, there were whispers when it was revealed that Bristol was pregnant that she and Levi were going to get married because of political reasons.

S. PALIN: See, that...

Lauer: That this was the politically correct thing to have happen.

S. PALIN: Well, you know, there -- there, again, lots of rumor, lots of speculation. But, at the same time, you know, when those -- when those darts and those arrows started flying, I knew still, though, that we were on the right path in terms of offering ourselves up -- me, my family -- in the name of service to our country.

Lauer: Did you read some of the comments? I mean, in the late days of the campaign, Governor, it was -- it seemed as if people had taken one of two sides: Either that they maintained were you the best thing that ever happened to John McCain ’s campaign, or, in the last week, some people have said you cost him the election.

S. PALIN: Well, I think the economic collapse had a heck of a lot more to do with a collapsed campaign effort than me, personally.

Lauer:(voice-over): Our conversation continued in Wasilla, Alaska, the governor’s home, where we were joined by her husband of 20 years, Todd.

(on camera): You know, I was thinking that you really kind of got the incredible overnight schooling of what it’s like to be in the center of the storm like this. I mean, how would you -- how would you kind of sum of the experience?

T. PALIN: Our family’s very adaptable. With the slope schedule -- week on, week off...

Lauer: Right.

T. PALIN: ... and then our commercial fishing activities in the summertime.

So we’re always juggling schedules.

Lauer: This is a lay-up there. I should probably go get my hockey helmet for this one.

(LAUGHTER)

But how did you feel, Todd, that the -- Sarah likes to say the mainstream media covered her campaign?

T. PALIN: Well, to be honest, we were so busy with the campaign that there wasn’t much TV time. So -- but the untruth about her record and -- you know, once there’s a headline and then two or three days later when you try to correct it, the story’s already out, so.

Lauer: Yes.

Were there things you wanted to say but simply weren’t in the position to say?

T. PALIN: We’ve been in this long enough to understand that it’s just part of the business.

S. PALIN: There were plenty of times I wanted to shout out, “Hey, wait a minute, that’s not true.”

But, yes, like Todd says, too, and as I explained, you know what you’re getting into, though, as a candidate. And if your skin isn’t thick enough to take it as a candidate, really you’ve got no business running for public office. Because it is pretty brutal, you know. And you take the good with the bad. And day by day in a campaign you take the victories with the defeats. And it is, like Todd says, all a part of this -- this beast called politics in America.

(LAUGHTER)

LAUER: Governor, you said to me earlier, I said if you had a do- over, and you said, well (inaudible) I just wanted to spend more time with people and perhaps do more interviews. Much was made over the number of interviews you did versus Senator Biden.

S. PALIN: Yes.

LAUER: I’m curious, was there someone saying to you, “No, no let’s not do a lot of interviews”?

S. PALIN: You know, I’m not going to get into that inside baseball strategy that was used with those who were calling the shots in the campaign. I’m going to let them answer that.

But suffice it to say, I’m comfortable doing interviews. I love being able to express what my positions are, where it is that I would like to see, in this case here in Alaska, where I would like to see me state go and where I feel that I’m capable of leading it.

And there in the campaign, I would have loved more opportunities to speak to the American people about what I’d like to see of...

(CROSSTALK)

LAUER: I think you answered my question without answering it, though. So it is something you would have liked to have more opportunity to do?

S. PALIN: You have to be able to do that. I mean, you can’t just assume that the voters are going to be able to just guess what is going on, and, you know, just be able to guess and assume what a candidate’s positions are or what their plans are. You have to be able to -- you have to be able to speak with them. And you do that through the media. That’s the way this system works.

LAUER: Right.

S. PALIN: So you can’t be afraid of being able to seize opportunities, every opportunity you can to talk to Americans.

S. PALIN: Let’s ask Piper.

What did you think of the trail, Pipe?

LAUER: What’d you think?

Was it fun, or was it hard?

P. PALIN: It was hard and fun.

LAUER: What was the hard part?

P. PALIN: All the rallies.

LAUER: Yes? Going there every time and...

P. PALIN: Yes

LAUER: ... listening to the speeches and things like that?

P. PALIN: Yes.

LAUER: Did you -- when you were traveling, did you miss your friends back home?

P. PALIN: Yes.

LAUER: That’s a hard part, isn’t it?

P. PALIN: Yes.

LAUER: Did you miss much school?

P. PALIN: A lot of school.

LAUER: Yes, and how’s that now, is it hard to catch up?

P. PALIN: Yes. It’s really hard.

LAUER: So you’re seven now. So if your mom comes in four years, you’ll be 11, and she says, “Piper, kids, here we go again, another campaign, how would you feel about it?

P. PALIN: I don’t know.

LAUER: You don’t know? S. PALIN: Would you want to do it again, sister?

P. PIPER: Yes.

S. PALIN: (inaudible) that was fun.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAUER: So that is what Piper has to say about her mom’s political future. But what does the governor herself have to say? There have been rumors she may end up in the U.S. Senate or run for president in 2012.

Sarah Palin - Matt Lauer Interview Video (YouTube)

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It's Guinness World Records Week, a celebration of world record-breaking events. And to kick things off, Svetlana Pankratova appeared before an amazed crowd of onlookers in New York's Times Square to show off the world's longest legs. With a height of 196 centimeters (6ft 5in), her legs measure an incredible 132 centimeters (4ft 4in) or about two-thirds of her body length! She also has very large feet, wearing a size 13 (US)/46 (EU). Born on August 29, 1971 in the Russian city of Volgograd, Svetlana Pankratova once played women's basketball at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia where she was described as an impact player, setting three all-time records which are still active: No. 1 - Career Blocked Shots, 1992-95 (176), No. 1 - Single Season Total Blocked Shots, 1994-95 (75), and No. 8 - Single Season Field Goals,
1994-95 (178).

While less physically-blessed individuals may marvel at her whopping proportions, Svetlana is quick to point out the difficulties of having world record attributes. In an interview with NBC's Today Show, she said, "Some guys like it but others do not like standing next to a woman this tall, they are intimidated." He he. "It is also a challenge when I get on planes, I do not have enough legroom I must admit," she added. Well, I can just imagine how uncomfortable it must be. I don't think that even an airline's first class seats have enough room for those legs! Another problem that she most probably has is where to get her clothes, and shoes. While her upper body appears to have more typical dimensions, those extra long legs are definitely a problem. Where does she get her pants? Jeans? Or how about stockings and pantyhose? I guess only custom-made leg apparel will do.

Svetlana Pankratova also made an appearance in London's Trafalgar Square a few months ago, to promote the new edition of the Guinness Book of World Records. The world's shortest man, He Pingping, was with her in that event. Though Pingping barely came up to Pankratova's knees at this rather bizarre photo shoot, the pair seemed rather happy in each other's company as they posed for photos on Trafalgar Square's steps in central London.

I have found a number of articles about Svetlana Pankratova in the course of researching for this post. However, there hasn't been any mention about what she does for a living at present and makes me rather curious. Does anybody out there know what her job is? Something related to sports perhaps?

Svetlana Pankratova, The Woman With the World's Longest Legs

Svetlana Pankratova, The Woman With the World's Longest Legs
Guinness World Record Holder

The Woman With the World's Longest Legs Meets the Shortest Man

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Palin-Greta van Susteren 'On the Record' (video / transcript)

Sarah Palin, erstwhile Republican vice presidential candidate, has granted her first post-election interview in an effort to clear important issues that plagued her during the recently-concluded presidential campaign. Appearing live with Greta van Susteren on Fox News' 'On The Record', the Alaskan Governor discussed the campaign as well as her political plans for the future.

The first topic on the table was the wardrobe scandal, wherein it was reported that she and her whole family spent nearly $150,000 in luxury-brabded clothes and accessories during the campaign. Sarah Palin, on the other hand, was quick to refute this, saying that she did not know anything about these accusations. According to her, when they arrived for the convention, the clothes and accessories were already waiting for them. Someone from the RNC had pre-ordered them for the entire family. And these were boxed and returned to the RNC afterwards. She further refuted rumors about her spending
spree at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, saying she had never stepped foot in those stores. Palin also denied the report that she was unaware Africa is a continent.

Sarah Palin refused to say whether she was planning a run for the White House in 2012, but the devoutly faithful governor said she would wait for a sign from God, and that she is confident God would show the way to the White House. For more on this interview, read some of the excerpts below, or watch the three-part video at the bottom of the page.

Sarah Palin-Greta van Susteren 'On The Record'
First Post Election Interview Transcript (excerpts)

Greta: Why do you think your campaign lost?
Palin: I think the Republican ticket represented too much of the status quo, too much of what had gone on in these last eight years, that Americans were kind of shaking their heads like going, wait a minute, how did we run up a 10 trillion dollar debt in a Republican administration? How have there been blunders with war strategy under a Republican administration? If we're talking change, we want to get far away from what it was that the present administration represented and that is to a great degree what the Republican Party at the time had been representing. So people desiring change I think went as far from the administration that is presently seated as they could. It's amazing that we did as well as we did.

Greta: There's been an enormous amount of information about you that Alaskans have been exposed to the past couple of months -- and lots of it very critical. What are Alaskans supposed to make of all this?
Palin: Regarding information regarding my record, that is now out there, much of it that was based on misinformation was a very, very frustrating thing to have to go through when the record was never corrected. And we would try to correct the record and too many in the media chose not to make those corrections. !

Greta: What misinformation are you talking about?
Palin: Some of the goofy things like who was Trig's mom. Well, I'm Trig's mom (raises her hand) and do you want to see my medical records to prove that? ... And banning books. That was a ridiculous thing also that could have so easily been corrected just by a reporter taking an extra step and not basing a report on gossip or speculation. But just looking into the record. It was reported that I tried to ban Harry Potter when it hadn't even been written when I was the mayor. So, gosh, we have so many examples, I mean every day, especially the first few weeks, every day something that was thrown out there.

Greta: One of the things that came up during the campaign is that you charge the state per diem for time spent here in Wasilla. Is that something you are going to continue to do?
Palin: We've always followed the law and fully disclosed all that. The choice there in many months of the Juneau mansion being re-plumbed and all the improvements being made in the infrastructure of the Juneau house, where we weren't going to be there anyway. Knowing that in the end it would have cost the state more money to do what other governors had done and that is either charge the state for hotel rooms. Or the state rents you an apartment like they did for Governor Murkowski. We said no, we just won't sell our house, knowing that we're going to spend quite a bit of time here, especially those months where the remodels were taking place in the governor's mansion. And we would disclose my per diem, we wouldn't try to hide it ... trying to go above and beyond, not accepting any per diem for the kids or Todd at all, they've lived outside of the governor's house. Trying to follow the rules and doing what is legal and ethical and full disclosure.

Same with the family's travel. That's baffled me that all of a sudden two years later, again, never having tried to hide anything with either traveling back and forth to Juneau for first family events that were outside the capital city, in bringing Piper and, once in a while, Willow with me also, that anybody would think that I was trying to hide that they came with me ... just trying to do my job and part of my job is with the first family, having them with me at some of these events.

Greta: What was it like running for vice president?
Palin: It was amazing. It was amazing and very, very busy and energizing. Every day was an amazing experience and I loved it ...

And I truly believe it was good for Alaska. I believe that, with tens of millions of people seeing kind of a different face of Alaska, and again, not me personally but what it is that we represent. Hardworking, unpretentious, conservationists, all these things that our administration and my family, all that we embody, has been good for Alaska because it's shown that up here we do work hard and we do want to produce and we want to contribute more to the U.S. ... And the eyes of the nation are on Alaska, they're going to be on us for a long time.

Greta: They, of course, will be on you, governor. Rasmussen Reports said 64 percent of Republicans see you as their top presidential choice in 2012.
Palin: Oh, look how fickle poll numbers are. Look where I've gone, up and down, up and down, even in the state of Alaska the last couple of months. We can't pay attention to those numbers.

Greta: Still that's got to be pretty heady stuff, you've got to be thinking about that?
Palin: I think OK, it provides opportunity, again, to do things right up here as the governor. And to make sure that, if those eyes of the nation are on the state, that we are responsible, we are just, we are fair, we are productive, all those things that this state already is but we have opportunity to be even more so. The eyes of the nation are on the state, we're not going to let them down, we're going to make sure that people know we can do things right up here.

And then that, too, opens the door for more opportunity for the state. Ultimately, what it results in is more job opportunity for Alaskans. Because as more of an allowance is given to our state to ethically and responsibly develop our resources, we'll have more explorers up here, we'll have more companies up here wanting to do business. That can lead to great job creation in the state.

Greta: Were you aware that during the campaign there were some large protests in Anchorage against your candidacy as well as your handling of the Walt Monegan issue? What do you think about that and what can you do to bring those people back.
Palin: To bring those people back in terms of ... I wasn't aware of all the protests until like after they'd happened, I hear about it, a friend e-mailing me or something saying that there were placards out there saying whatever they would say. I think that's the nature of a national level campaign also. The opposition to our ticket on the national level, that's going to be expressed here on the local level too. The whole Monegan thing, I am glad that we've already gone through two different processes now, the personnel board, which is where it should have been all along, and the legislative investigation of it also. It's done. It's over. People need to move on.

Greta: Do you think it's going to be difficult for the state to make a case for earmarks, given that you and John McCain were so outspoken against them?
Palin: Not so much the case being made more difficult for Alaska in requesting but we'd better make sure that every earmark we request is in the nation's best interest and is something that has been vetted and seen the light of day via public participation.

Greta: So fewer earmark requests coming?
Palin: I'm sure there will be fewer earmark requests and they will be sensible earmark requests, again, those things that can help on a national front, not just on a state front.

Greta: What did you think of Tina Fey, really?
Palin: I really liked her. Her in-laws came to one of our rallies and met us backstage. They're pretty hardcore Republicans, the in-laws were. She had told me that, she was like, believe it or not, I'm from a family of Republicans. You, know, it was like, we have more in common than you think. when I was the mayor. So gosh, we have so many examples, I mean every day, especially the first few weeks, every day something that was thrown out there.

Sarah Palin-Greta van Susteren 'On the Record' Video 1
Palin's First Post-Election Interview (November 10)

Sarah Palin-Greta van Susteren 'On the Record' Video 2
Palin's First Post-Election Interview (November 10)

Sarah Palin-Greta van Susteren 'On the Record' Video 3
Palin's First Post-Election Interview (November 10)