MOM ON LINE ONE

Being a political pundit means leaving oneself wide open to public criticism – but can you imagine the embarrassment of being scolded by your own mother on live television?

The Washington Post reports on the mortifying on-air moment shared by brothers Brad and Dallas Woodhouse this week during their appearance on the U.S. public-affairs cable channel C-SPAN.

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In American political circles, the Woodhouse boys have built their respective careers on being diametric opposites. Brad is a freewheeling Democrat while Dallas is a staunch Republican – and both men were going at it hammer and tong during a heated discussion on the merits of bipartanship on C-SPAN's Washington Journal program on Tuesday.

Then the tone shifted gears completely when host Steve Scully announced the show was taking a call from the southern U.S.

"Oh, God, it's mom," groaned Dallas Woodhouse as soon as the caller named "Joy" began to speak.

Snapped Joy in response: "You're right, I'm from down south. And I'm your mother." Joy explained she phoned into the show to complain about an earlier comment made by one of the brothers to the effect that their incessant bickering is typical of most families.

And that suggestion just didn't sit well with Joy.

"I don't know many families that are fighting at Thanksgiving," she said. "I'm hoping you'll have some of this out of your system when you come here for Christmas. I would really like a peaceful Christmas."

At that moment, Scully jumped in to tell viewers, "This was not planned. She called in on the normal line."

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For viewers, any doubt as to the call's unrehearsed authenticity was likely erased by the expressions on the brothers' faces: Brad awkwardly looks away from the camera, while Dallas covers his face with his hand.

During the course of her brief call, Joy diplomatically expressed her motherly support toward her two sons.

"They're both very passionate about what they believe in and I love that about them," she said. "But I hope they just kinda get this out of their system today on your program."

The high point of the conversation: When Dallas meekly tried to mollify his mother by saying, "I love you, mom."

And without missing a beat, Joy responded: "And I love politics."

Good for you, Joy - and keep those boys in line this holiday season.

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PLAYING SAFE

The U.S. theatre chain Carmike Cinemas has cancelled all screenings of The Interview. The cancellation notice comes one day after the parties responsible for hacking into the computer files of Sony Pictures Entertainment issued a threat warning of 9/11 style activity against theatres showing the Sony-produced comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco. The Georgia-based Carmike chain operates 278 theatres in the U.S. in 41 states. Slated to open on Christmas Day, The Interview stars Rogen and Franco as a TV-interviewer team conscripted by the CIA to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Rogen and Franco have already cancelled all scheduled media appearances this week but still plan to attend the film's premiere in New York on Thursday.

Source: Variety

TREBEK THREATS

The latest round of hacked Sony e-mails reveals that Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek recently threatened to quit the show. According to a Radar Online report, the Canadian-born Trebek was asked to re-tape a segment of the show's annual Jeopardy! Kids edition following an incident with a contestant. Toward the end of one episode, a young female player left the sound stage in tears when her low earnings made her ineligible to play in the Final Jeopardy round. Via e-mail, the girl's mother reportedly complained to Sony executives that Trebek did not take the time to console her daughter, saying, "I don't think I'll ever forgive him for that." The execs then requested that Trebek re-shoot the segment, to which he responded by e-mail, "When I'm vilified, corporate (and certainly legal) always seem to say 'don't say anything and it'll blow over,' and I'm not feeling support from the producers..." Trebek closes off his message by saying, "If I'm making mistakes and saying things you don't like, maybe it's time for me to move on. It's not a threat, but I want to let you know how I'm feeling."

Source: Radar Online

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TOO SOON

Rupert Murdoch has come under attack for his congratulatory tweet in connection to this week's horrific terrorist siege in Sydney, Australia. On Tuesday, the media mogul tweeted, "AUST gets wake up call with Sydney terror. Only Daily Telegraph caught the bloody outcome at 2:00 a.m. Congrats" shortly after incident that claimed the lives of three people, including gunman Man Haron Monis. Within the hour, Murdoch's comment generated a landslide of negative reaction on Twitter, including this tweet from @ConnorArmstrong: "Rupert, have some respect and sense, please…"

Source: Hollywood Reporter

GIVING SEASON?

Charity really does begin at home for a growing number of Canadians. According to a new Fraser Institute survey, Canadian citizens have become far less generous in donating to charity in recent years. In 2012, 22.3 per cent of Canadian tax filers donated to charitable causes, which represents a marked drop from 25.1 per cent in 2005. Also in 2012, Canadians donated 0.61 per cent of their total income to registered charities, which is a dip from 0.81 per cent in 2006. Said study co-author Charles Lammam: "The finding that shows we are not as generous, I think shocks a lot of Canadians, because we have a perception of our generosity."

Source: CBC News