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White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest Defends Appointment Of B&B's Colleen Bell As Ambassador To Hungary, While Daily Show's Jon Stewart & The Colbert Report Have Their Own Commentary On The Situation!
Courtesy/WashingtonPostTV
This week, it seems that pop culture just couldn’t steer away from the appointment by the U.S. Senate of The Bold and the Beautiful producer, Colleen Bell (wife of B&B’s Brad Bell) as the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary.
Citing her non-qualifications, and fundraising efforts , the press that covers politics in Washington certainly fired away at White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, who defended the appointment of Bell in a press conference with reporters earlier this week.
Earnest said to ABC’s Jonathan Karl, senior congressional reporter, who was not enthused over the appointment, “As it relates to Ambassador Bell, she had the President’s confidence that she will represent the United States and maintain the important relationship the United States has with the government and the people of Hungary.” He goes on to say that Colleen about her qualifications, “She has had her own private sector career and obviously someone who had succeeded in the business world.”
Courtesy/Comedy Central
When the reporter fires back that Bell helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for President Obama’s re-election campaign, which may have been one of the main reasons she was given the post, Press Secretary Earnest says: “I was not involved in this decision making process, but I can tell you the reason that she was chosen was that the president has complete confidence in her ability to represent the United States in that country.” Meanwhile on TV in his own send-up of the Bell appointment, Jon Stewart of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart said he felt sorry for the press secretary who has the worst job in our nations capital, stating, “How much does that guy (Secretary Earnest) just want to reach over and tag out?” Stewart said Wednesday night, after playing a clip from the press conference. “That is the greatest thing I have ever seen the president’s press secretary do,” Stewart said. “His entire job — his only job — is built around trying not to go, ‘Hey, look, I just f**ing work here.'”
Courtesy/ComedyCentral
Also, host/comedian Stephen Colbert riffed on the appointment of Bell on his show The Colbert Report on Comedy Central this past Thursday night. He even started his send-up with, “I love our nations ambassadors. What can I say, I’m an “ambassman”. That’s why I’ve been following the senate confirmation of the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary. The President’s nominee got a lot of attention for being a ‘Bold’ choice, but also a ‘Beautiful’ one.” Colbert goes into a a clip package, and later goes into how producing on The Bold and the Beautiful is the perfect training ground for Bell to become the ambassador to Hungary. He goes on to say, “Hungary is a region rife with drama and the constant threat of violence. Exactly the situation the Forrester family routinely handles from their palacious estate while simultaneously running their fashion empire.”
Watch the clips below. The first from Washington Post TV of the press conference with Press Secretary Josh Earnest, and then the segments on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report. Then weigh-in on your thoughts to this: Do you think Colleen is being unfairly judged by her association with the soaps, (which always people deem to poke fun at), when it appears that many appointments to ambassadorships in this country have to do with those who have contributed major funds to help in re-elections or elections?
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I’m with Senator McCain on this. Although President Obama isn’t the first president to hand out ambassadorships as prizes, I believe it is ill advised.
Why is there just “outrage” now? From what I believe there have been many ambassadors that have been actors, writers, (basically in show business) what is it about Colleen Bell that bothers them so much?
She admitted she had no idea what interests the USA has in Hungary. Not even sure why she wanted the appointment…a vacation maybe? Tell me how she IS qualified?
There are no real qualifications to be an ambassador. What most presidents look for is someone’s ability to at least represent U.S. interests well in the country they are going to, and be a trusted conduit for information between said country & the U.S. State Dept. Ambassadors don’t negotiate any formal deals. That’s the job the Secretary of State & POTUS. Where Bell is so lacking is that she couldn’t even do what most high school students can – which is B.S. their way through a simple Q&A. Did she even look at a friggin map of Europe? If she did, she should have been able to tell Senator McCain that U.S. interests in Hungary are to help them be strong against Russian aggression pushing westward into the former Soviet bloc territories. I mean, good God – this is basic 20th century American history – the century this woman was born in! Did she not notice ANYTHING that went on, like, oh, the fall of Russian communism. You don’t have to be a member of any party to be able to put 2+2 together. Just observant & more than a little intelligent.
She is a joke. I had to laugh when Josh Earnest spoke about her achieving great success in the private sector. She would probably be at a cashier desk in Macy’s if not for her family connections. I was surprised the reporter did not have a comeback for “chief liar” Earnest. As someone of Eastern European descent, I am offended that someone with her lack of knowledege of the significance of Eastern Europe in global affairs will be ambassador to a country of such significance.
Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report and Jon Stewart of The Daily Show are more than awesome! And- both are right on!
ALL presidents have assigned non-qualifications persons as ambassadors to whatever countries for whatever their reasons, it is comely done..
Soaps are always made fun of and used as material for comedians and all others to ridicule with campy sarcasm…
Soaps are seen as being unintelligent wacky stuff lol so a writer/producer of a soap opera could be seen as unintelligent also to put out such nonsense..
and the congress would see a soap opera as stupid stuff and reflecting the as same of the writer/producer LOL
Appointing Bell an ambassador position is a soap opera in itself LOL ..
Her lack of the significance of Eastern Europe knowledge is only matched by Obama’s lack of presidential leadership knowledge
As a Canadian I can”t really say one way or another about her qualifications , but I got a real kick from both Jon Stewart and Colbert stating why their video cannot be seen in Canada– usually there is just some bland statement about the video not being available,so I really enjoyed the humor they injected into it. I had a good laugh.
Why is this on a board about soap operas ? I could really care less about Colleen Bell she is of no interest to me we had the discussion a few days ago about Senator McCains comments enough. Let’s quit beating a dead horse she is a woman who has a lot of money and nothing between the ears I thought we had established that. Move On!!!!
k/kay..
This is Michael Fairman site, we are his guests..
Michael can put up anything he deems interesting..
Colleen Bell is an important soap opera person and it relates to her new career..
It is appropriate imo ..
The same as any soap person and their new projects and career moves..
🙂
Yes it is and if he did not appreciate my comment he would not post it. I stand by my statements tired of hearing about CB. We discussed her appointment and we all know why she got it and bloody fine just fatigued out with this. Tired of hearing about racism, homophobia, politics just would like o escape once in a while. 🙁
And you will be glad to know I am not going to read the comments anymore it has become childish this back and forth bantering. Not very healthy.
I guess she qualifies due to B&B airing in Hungary!
I guess this was Brad Bell’s way of writing her off the show! The most creative idea he has had yet. Is he taking credit for it?
It does seem that the position was bought & even the press secretary is dismayed by this report. However that said, don’t you have to live in the country for which you are ambassador? I suppose that’s one way to have a marriage :/
Ha Ha
News
Y&R’s Eric Braeden Lip-Syncs For A Good Cause
Now here’s something you might not expect from Eric Braeden, The Young and the Restless‘ iconic Victor Newman! Braeden lends his name and some pretty good lip-syncing to the tune “U.n.I (You &!)” as he participated in a fundraising campaign that benefits UNICEF.
“U.n.I (You & I)” is a song and video from the son and granddaughter of Sir Roger Moore, an organization the Bond star was passionately involved with for many years. The video features more than 50 celebrities lip-syncing the song’s lyrics, in honor of their friend Roger and to support a great cause close to the actor’s heart. You can check out the wall of celebrities who have posted viral videos in support of UNICEF lip-syncing to the song here.
Braeden posted his video to social media sharing: “The only way we can make a difference is by coming together. What a pleasure to be a part of @theunisong project to raise money & awareness for @UNICEF “
See the video below.
The only way we can make a difference is by coming together. What a pleasure to be a part of @theunisong project to raise money & awareness for @UNICEF. Visit https://t.co/8Uwei8sYMn to download the song & music video. Every donation helps. #uniforcharity #rogermoore pic.twitter.com/5cpGC6fwn0
— Eric Braeden (@EBraeden) October 15, 2019
So, will you check out and download “U.n.I (You &!)” and help Eric and other celebrities make a difference? Comment below.
News
AMBITIONS Returns With All-New Episodes In November
More backstabbing, more twisted people, more sexcapades, and of course, Stephanie Lancaster (Robin Givens) in all her glory, are in store for viewers of OWNs hit primetime soap, Ambitions.
When the back-half of Ambitions first season kicks-off on November 12th look for: Stephanie and Amara’s (Essence Atkins) rivalry over Titus (Kendrick Cross) to reach a fever pitch; Evan (Brian White) and Rondell (Brely Evans) to face a tragic family death, and Bella (Erica Page) struggling as her worst nightmare appears to have come true.
In addition, be on the lookout for soap opera favorite, Rick Hearst (Ex-Ric Lansing, GH) to appear in upcoming episodes.
Check out the first look trailer below of the action to come when Ambitions returns on Tuesday night’s at 10PMEST only on OWN.
So, have you been enjoying Ambitions thus far? If so, who is your favorite character and who is the hottest? Comment below.
News
Felicity Huffman Reports To Prison To Serve Sentence For College Admissions Scandal
Former Desperate Housewives star, Felicity Huffman, reported to a federal prison to start to serve her 14-day sentence for her participation in the college admissions scandal that saw affluent parents use illegal means including bribery to get their children into elite educational institutions.
On Tuesday, Huffman surrendered herself to authorities at the low-security Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California which is said to be 35 miles east of San Francisco. Felicity actually entered the prison facility earlier than her court-ordered date of October 25th.
Coincidentally, the prison that Huffman is serving her sentence also housed very well-known inmates including: Patty Hearst, Heidi Fleiss, and Sara Jane Moore, who attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975. Forbes Magazine named the facility one of America’s top 10 “cushiest” prisons back in 2009.
Unlike former Edge of Night actress, Lori Loughlin, who was also caught up in the scandal and has plead not-guilty to charges levied against her and her husband, Huffman did pleaded guilty to paying $15,000 to arrange for her daughter’s SAT score to be falsified. In addition, Huffman was fined $30,000, and must perform 250 hours of community service and spend a year on probation.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling of the District of Massachusetts, who is the the supervising prosecutor, said Loughlin should expect a tougher sentence than Huffman if she is convicted during an interview on a Boston TV station expressing: “I don’t think I’d be giving away any state secrets by saying we would probably ask for a higher sentence for her than we did for Felicity Huffman.”
Felicity actually was the first parent sentenced in the entire admissions scandal that broke several months ago.
Huffman told the judge during her sentencing, “I was frightened. I was stupid, and I was so wrong.”
So, what do you think of the 14-day sentence and that Felicity is already beginning her jail time? Comment below.
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General HospitalOctober 12, 2019General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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General HospitalOctober 13, 2019GH’s Maurice Benard Launches ‘State of Mind’ Website
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General HospitalOctober 10, 2019James Patrick Stuart Finally Gets His Photo In The Hallways at General Hospital: Watch What Happens!
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