30 Rock has been a favorite of mine since day one. Which says quite a bit, since I really don’t care for today’s programming. Needless to say, I was pleased with the Emmy outcome. And I believe Alec Baldwin was genuinely surprised to receive Best Lead Actor, assuming Steve Carell had it in the bag. (Genuine feelings—imagine that in today’s egocentric society.)

When it comes to programming, I can’t stand reality TV and I just about cried when they cancelled West Wing (surprise, surprise). But, I read the trades and am familiar with the content offered on today’s boob tube. And, after last night’s results, something was confirmed for me: cable television is the dark horse, taking home a surprising percentage of the awards.

I will always be a broadcast television guy. No one delivers local news better than the local affiliate. But when it comes to programming, viewers have far more to choose from with cable in the mix. And for those of us in the advertising business, it bodes well for us. More airtime, more selection, regionalization and packages: all of which provide our clients with more affordable options.

Tell me it isn’t so. Tell me I didn’t wake up and hear what I heard. First we waited with bated breath to hear why Brady had missed four pre-season games. Then, he goes down in the season opener—not to be seen again. Two separate issues, one outcome.

Talk about salt on a wound. As if hearing Brett Favre had been traded to the Jets wasn’t already bad enough.

On the bright side, Matt Cassel did lead the Pats to victory. It’s no surprise, really. Imagine the adrenalin rush. Not to mention the pressure. But can he sustain it? And lets be realistic. Sunday’s game was against the worst team in the league whose QB went out with leg injury as well. Cassel was never a starting QB in college, and never a starting QB in the pros.
The season of anguish has begun.

Saddle up Pats Fans. Recent years have been good to us, lets not throw in the towel yet! Stranger things have happened.

Our presidential candidates have announced their running mates. In any regard, the November 2008 election will be one of historical proportions. For the first time in history there will be an African American or a female at the head of our country as President or Vice President, respectively.

The race for the White House is on and the media is having a field day. Not that it would be much different if the ticket included four “experienced,” Caucasian males. Candidates can’t so much as brush their teeth in the wrong direction without being labeled as ‘unfit to lead the country’ by someone. Even if the perfect candidate were out there, the media would find something to harp on. Let’s face it—the human race thrives on controversy, difference and opinion. Here in the U.S. it’s part of democracy.

In this election the same question remains, will registered voters vote for the issues, for the candidate or will they vote against the other candidate? Will the Hillary supporters jump on the McCain train now that Governor Palin is in play? Some say yes, many say no. Will Generation X and the Millennials step up to the plate to vote in larger numbers because they can relate to Senator Obama, his “inexperience,” age and positive outlook?
I’ve been through more Presidential elections than I care to admit. I’ve even worked on some in one form or another. And the ad guy in me says: bring it on. Roll the attack ads. Relish in the opposing party’s smear campaign. Read the blogs. Listen to talk radio. Watch the coverage.

But above all, vote.