Was it just good-natured joshing, or did some MSM elitism creep into Matt Lauer's interview-ending question to Tim Russert on this morning's "Today"?
"What's up for the New Year for you? Same thing as usual: keg of Old Milwaukee and a noise-maker?"
What's this? Condescension to Russert's blue-collar image leavened with a dab of drunken-Irishman humor? The camera crew burst into guffaws, but check the video - was Russert's laugh a bit more strained?
Matt and Dutch-born wife, former-model Annette Roque, might be well be staying in for New Year's, the couple recently having welcomed son Thijs into the world. But apparently nothing so plebeian as an American brew will pass Matt's lips. And those noisemakers. So . . . déclassé.
What will you be drinking for New Year's, NB readers?
Contact Mark, who truth be told will probably quaff a glass or two of good wine on New Year's, at mark@gunhill.



















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Looking tofind some Three Sto
December 29, 2006 - 10:35 ET by FastEdLooking tofind some Three Stooges brew, ((http://www.ratebeer.com/beerimages/2394.jpg )) but will settle for Sam, or best if I could find some Sternbrau - very very smooth lager from the Swiss, even germans will search it out. As of yet, don't know what the host is serving, but it will be cold and pleantyful.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
Well, Pleb that I am, I have
December 29, 2006 - 10:54 ET by rimskyWell, Pleb that I am, I have to ask.. how do you pronounce Thijs?
For me, it'll depend on where we go for dinner. Probably start out with a Scotch.. then some wine with dinner.
Happy New Year NBr's!
From SFGate: "The baby
December 29, 2006 - 10:56 ET by Mark FinkelsteinFrom SFGate: "The baby's unusual name -- pronounced 'Tice' -- is a shortened form of Matthijs, which is Dutch for Matthew."
Thanks, Mark. Now I'm not su
December 29, 2006 - 11:12 ET by rimskyThanks, Mark. Now I'm not such a Pleb.
BTW thanks again for your excellent reporting from Iraq. Happy New Year, Mr Finkelstein!
Same to you, rimsky - glad
December 29, 2006 - 11:15 ET by Mark FinkelsteinSame to you, rimsky - glad you enjoyed the reports from Iraq!
I don't know what Matt and hi
December 29, 2006 - 11:07 ET by Chris NormanI don't know what Matt and his wife use to celebrate New Year's Eve, but I think it's safe to assume the elements aren't hops-based or made of shiny paper and none of it is purchased at WalMart...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Wonder what Matt's wife rea
December 29, 2006 - 12:04 ET by 1sttofightWonder what Matt's wife reaction would be if a Real Man ever took her to bed?
"What did you do with m
December 29, 2006 - 12:07 ET by Chris Norman"Who are you and what did you do with my husband?" :)
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
smug
December 29, 2006 - 11:55 ET by iveseenitallSmug, elitist bastards. What fools!
NEVER,NEVER trust liberal
Matt Lauer is a complete putz
December 29, 2006 - 12:02 ET by donsalesMatt Lauer is a complete putz......
A non-graduate of The University of Ohio (not Harvard or Yale or Princeton) leaving school 4 credits shy of his requirement to attain a diploma, he has absolutely NO leg to stand on when it comes to his "champagne" personna on television.....
Now don't get me wrong....anything ANYONE can say to put down Tim Russert will garner kudos from me.....but not from a bottom crawling swamp rat like Mr. Lauer........who resides several circles below Russert in Dantes' DEM Inferno.....
Nowhere to Run....Nowhere To Hide.....
I will be drinking Jameson'
December 29, 2006 - 12:05 ET by benrandI will be drinking Jameson's irish whiskey from the small of Matt's Dutch-born wife's back.
Well, maybe a few Bell's Hopslams or some Rogue IPAs instead if she's busy.
Good natured joshin'. That's
December 29, 2006 - 12:28 ET by balboaGood natured joshin'. That's all.
Easy to say when you're not
December 29, 2006 - 12:30 ET by Mark FinkelsteinEasy to say when you're not on the receiving end. Surely you'd agree the joshing came from an elitist perspective.
What elitist perspective is t
December 29, 2006 - 12:44 ET by balboaWhat elitist perspective is that? It came from one colleague at a network directed to another. I think you're trying to read way more into this than is necessary.
Bal, you remind me of Jimmy D
December 29, 2006 - 13:21 ET by Chris NormanBal, you remind me of Jimmy Durante in Jumbo. While trying to sneak Jumbo, the Elephant out of the circus tent, he's stopped by the police who ask him, "Where're you going with that elephant?". He replies, "What elephant?".
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Like this? http://www.filmref
December 29, 2006 - 13:43 ET by FastEdLike this? http://www.filmreference.com/images/sjff_03_img1066.jpg
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
Ed,Yeah, that one! Is there a
December 29, 2006 - 17:48 ET by Chris NormanEd,
Yeah, that one! Is there a topic with which you don't have a link? I sit in awe...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Well, sometimes you guys remi
December 29, 2006 - 13:45 ET by balboaWell, sometimes you guys remind me of the boy who cried wolf, constantly trying to create a story where there isn't one.
Sometimes? Really?The dogs ba
December 29, 2006 - 17:49 ET by Chris NormanSometimes? Really?
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Mark, you seem a bit petty on
December 29, 2006 - 14:25 ET by bk1955Mark, you seem a bit petty on this one. I guess you're trying to belabor the "liberal elite" label.
Seriously, who really makes up the elite in this country? Would you rather belong to an intellectual elite or the moneyed elite? Not that you can't be both, you could get published in the WSJ!
And this demonstrates a media
December 29, 2006 - 13:48 ET by bk1955And this demonstrates a media bias how? I believe the traditional drink on New Years is champagne. What will you be drinking, Mark?
Maybe Mark was trying to sh
December 29, 2006 - 14:35 ET by MightyMouthMaybe Mark was trying to show "media pius" rather than "media bias" in this case. :-)
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
LOL I learned in a previous p
December 29, 2006 - 17:52 ET by bk1955LOL I learned in a previous post on this site that piety is bad. Too bad false piety isn't limited to the MSM.
Wine recommendations for 31 Dec/1 Jan
December 29, 2006 - 15:35 ET by UnsaneI personally prefer spätlese or lambrusco. Much cheaper and tastier. :-)
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
Socialism is alive, Winston
December 29, 2006 - 21:05 ET bySocialism is alive, Winston is dead, ha ha.
If socialism is alive, please
December 29, 2006 - 23:37 ET by UnsaneIf socialism is alive, please explain the rotting EU, and the Second World.
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)