Director's Take - "Ugly Betty" & Anna Nicole-itis

On an entirely different subject, I’m beginning to suffer from an ailment. I’ve self-diagnosed it as media-induced Anna Nicole-itis. The suffix “itis” in medical dictionaries means a “swelling” or “inflammation.” This is about right. Among the “itis-es” that there are - bronchitis, tendonitis, dermatitis – Anna Nicole-itis is particularly severe. I’m bloated with it these days, my brain swollen to saturation capacity with the media-blitz and all the unanswered questions: What was the true cause death? Who’s the father of her baby? When will the DNA tests be done? How about that will? And what about Virgie, the estranged Mom?

Now, I would like to say that I haven’t any interest in Anna Nicole, that I’m beyond the macabre fascination that has seemingly gripped the country these past days since her untimely demise, but I find that, at the end of the day, I want the bullet point update, and my overall questions answered. In a way, I’m just as drawn to every new peculiar twist as everyone else. How many fathers can there be? Were all her lovers sperm-bank donors? What’s the deal with the Prince? What about Zsa Zsa? Not to mention the felon?

While I expect entertainment news shows to cover the story, I’m perplexed somewhat by the continued coverage by more mainstream outlets, like CNN. How do you segue from Anderson Cooper on location in the Amazon talking about global warming - the destruction of the Amazon Rain Forest - a planetary climate change crisis along with the demise of indigenous peoples, and then go to the latest Anna Nicole court antics? Last night that’s what happened on Anderson Cooper 360 and it was weird! But ratings spikes are ratings spikes, I suppose, and no doubt we will be deluged with the Anna Nicole story’s every nuance for some time to come.