What’d we learn over Thankgiving?

1. Rosie O’Donnell’s variety show was bad. REALLY BAD.

2. Red is the hot color for decorating.

3. Stores are giving out lots of stuff just to get you in the door. Before 10 a.m. Friday, I got three cups of cider, a candy bar, a jar of jewelry cleaner and five cookies.

4. There’s nothing like a post-turkey nap.

5. Some football players don’t do anything, even though they’re paid millions.

6. “Australia” may be the longest film since “The Lord of the Rings Part 3.” It also has just as many endings.

7. Leftover turkey helps you nap, too.

8. Hunters, if you haven’t gotten a deer, you haven’t tried very hard. I counted six of ‘em between Sioux City and Sioux Falls. On the side of the road.

9.  And, BTW, hunting is the male equivalent of shopping. Both involve getting up way too early in the morning and searching for something elusive. You can’t wait to have something to drink and you return home exhausted.

10.  We don’t say “thank you” often enough.

It’s great to be king.

Just ask Jonathan Hadary, the Broadway veteran who’s playing the self-involved monarch in “Spamalot.”

“It’s very good for your posture,” he says. And it’s a chance to see if some of those old Monty Python gags still hold up.

The answer? Yes they do — no matter where he’s performing — on Broadway or, now, on a tour that’s stopping all over North America.

 

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The big question wasn’t who was  going to win but how the producers were going to drag it out for two hours. After letting the losers demonstrate why they didn’t make it to the finals, the three got to strut one more time. Haltingly.

Lance Bass got dumped (after Jeffrey Ross roasted him with a few brow-raising comments) and then it was down to Brooke Burke and Warren Sapp. Miley Cyrus got to sing that bland song she’s been pushing. And the two finalists had a chance to tell each other how great they were. (Big liar: Derek Hough says, “I think this was the closest it’s ever been.” Yeah right.)

Brooke Burke’s boyfriend, David Charvet, was seen crying in the audience. But, really, why didn’t he do something more — like say when they’re going to be married.

Derek Hough danced like a mad man and didn’t sweat. (His armpits were as dry as the Sahara).

Then, they announced the winners — Brooke and Derek — and Derek’s sister Julianne and best friend Mark (both previous winners) hoisted him in the air. Mark’s dad gave Brooke a boost, but her dress covered his head for a while. Oops.

We told you weeks ago they were going to win and it was easy to see why. She’s a natural. He’s a good dancer.

Now, about the next run (in the spring). What ‘NSync-er is going to join Florence Henderson and some used-up “All My Children” star in the competition? Is there a former Oscar winner and another Olympian waiting in the wings? We can only hope.

No contest. Brooke Burke and Derek Hough should win “Dancing with the Stars.” On Monday’s show, they did everything but deliver a child. The song: “You’re the One That I Want.” Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta didn’t move as well in “Grease.”

Warren Sapp and Lance Bass were distant pretenders.

Sapp is a charmer. His legs look like they belong on a much smaller man.

Bass is just reheating moves he did as a member of ‘NSync.

In the finals, Sapp twisted and turned partner Kym Johnson so much I thought she was going to pop an implant.

Bass did some lame hip hop moves with pro Lacey Schwimmer (though their T-shirts were cute — “Lancey,” they said).

Tuesday, look for Brooke and Derek to win.

Monday, we noticed Florence Henderson in the audience. Is she angling to be part of the next edition?

Oh, dear. Where’s Cloris?

Check out a photo gallery of the American Music Awards.

How in the world does Chris Brown win artist of the year when Alicia Keys got everything else?

Something must have been rigged at the American Music Awards — but they’ve always been the Golden Globes of music.

To its credit, the show brings out a pretty impressive list of performers. I’m kinda sick of Beyonce doing that “Ring on It” number on every show, but she proves she’s almost as good as Tina Turner when it comes to dancing in high heels.

All the women wore those stilt-like shoes. Even Taylor Swift, who was a big surprise as Best Female Country Artist.

Kanye West got all humble at the show and those Disney kids (Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers) got showcases that, um, proved this thing is an ABC production.

How they decided Annie Lennox was the artist of the whatever is beyond me. She’s good enough, but aren’t there others who are more deserving? Like the Globes, “need be present to win” factors in. If you watched the end credits, you probably saw a bunch of prizes that were awarded but not given out BECAUSE THE WINNERS WEREN’T THERE.

While the show’s production values were pretty good, you kinda had to wonder why several of them looked taped. That was an MTV trick and it failed there, too.

And the “American Idol” factor? Betcha can’t guess how many folks were “Idol” grads.

Yup, even Annie Lennox had a tie. Goes to show.

Want the complete story on the awards – it’s in our Heard Mentality music blog.

Bruce Miller previews “Bolt” and “Twilight.”

For Iowan Shawn Mayer, the folks with “Nashville Star” saved the best for last.

This weekend, she and the rest of the show’s finalists perform their tour’s final concert in Spencer, Iowa, just miles away from her May City home.

 

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There’s no such thing as “too much.”

That’s what you learn from this year’s American Red Cross Holiday Tour of Homes.

Oh, man, there are decorations. And more decorations. And even more decorations.

Don’t believe me – check out this photo gallery.

One house had 26 trees! Another had so many ornaments on its “main” tree it probably took the homeowners a good week to put them all on.

The 2008 tour is designed to give you a glimpse of homes from different decades. (more…)

Cody Linley got dumped Tuesday night, leaving Brooke Burke, Warren Sapp and Lance Bass in the finals of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Now the big question is: Who is Cody Linley? They say he’s on “Hannah Montana” but, honestly, I’ve seen more episodes of that than I care and I don’t remember him. Was he in ONE episode?

Kristi Yamaguchi returned to perform, too, and she was better than any of the finalists.

Still, I think Brooke will win it. She has been consistent throughout the year and doesn’t look as clunky as Warren and as goofy as Lance. To quote a boy band, I think they’ll say “Bye, Bye, Bye” to the guys next week.

Another N’Sync-er, Joey Fatone, was in the finals and another football player, Emmitt Smith, won it.

Brooke needs a category (what is she besides a trophy wife and one-time host?). “Dancing with the Stars” winner could be it.

In what seems like the never-ending season, we’re getting some pretty lackluster final performances on “Dancing with the Stars.”

Warren Sapp still looks like a football player running through tires, Cody Linley wouldn’t make the cut of a high school production of “High School Musical” and Lance Bass isn’t all that n’sync with his partner. That leaves Brooke Burke who should win the thing.

Monday night she flubbed her first dance but I think that was done so that it wouldn’t look like she was a slam dunk. She came back in the end, proving she’s the one to beat.

Who will go home? Warren Sapp seems due only because someone wants to keep the Hough vs. Hough (Derek vs. Julianne) competition alive. The brother/sister pair are partnered with Brooke and Cody. Thus, they both will live to see another week.

My guess: The final will be between Brooke and Lance.

Once the mirrored-ball trophy is given out, Brooke will get a shot at  a Broadway musical and Lance will get a game show. Cloris Leachman, meanwhile,may get the biggest prize of all — another sitcom.

Now, get ready for the end. The fat lady is already vocalizing.