I noticed that, although Cinema Retro offers extensive coverage of the TV industry, there has been nary a word about the big story of the week: Sarah Palin joining Fox News as an analyst. Do I detect some political bias?-
Jim S.,Florida
Retro responds: Jim, you do indeed detect a bias, but not the one you probably perceive. I'm amazed at how many of our readers want political coverage on this site, but the fact of the matter is (as I have to state once a month) that Cinema Retro is dedicated to the entertainment industry. The stories we cover about television pertain to mostly entertainment programs, though I do admit to falling off the wagon and editorializing once in a blue moon about some particularly absurd story that it getting disproportionate air play. (i.e; the notorious "balloon boy.") Not only was the biggest story in TV this week not the hiring of Sarah Palin by Fox News (a move expected by virtually everyone since she resigned as governor last July), but the on-going mess at NBC over the Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien situation. Like most Americans, I have very strong feelings regarding Sarah Palin, but whether they are favorable or unfavorable wouldn't be of the slightest interest to any of our readers. We stick with what we do best: covering both classic cinema and the contemporary entertainment industry. Generally, our political coverage extends only to stories that legitimately involve entertainment personalities. For example, we gave coverage to Sidney Poitier being among those honored by President Obama. If it makes you feel any better, should Al Gore get hired as a news analyst by any network, I hereby pledge not to cover that story but if John McCain makes a sitcom or a Western, I promise we will cover it. - Lee Pfeiffer