[Fred Astaire's birthday, yet NO Astaire films?]

Today is Fred Astaire's birthday and yet, TCM didn't broadcast even one of his films. I don't get it. Why not some Astaire films on his birthday. The network certainly indulges with other birthday salutes for other stars. I'm seldom disappointed in TCM's broadcasting, but today I feel they missed the boat.

[Alec is back. Too bad]

Wow...someone else that feels that Steve Martin would make a great co-host for The Essentials presentations.

Personally I'm sick of seeing Alec Baldwin as the co-host. Baldwin's remarks seem scripted. I feel he's usually just stating the obvious. I find a novice classic film fan has more knowledge where 'essentials' are concerned. At times I feel his 'star ego' and political bias influences his remarks. Yes I know that's human nature, but, by gawd, Robert Osborne avoids letting that happen.

I worry that his presence is a forecast of events to come. I hope they're not looking at him as a potential replacement for Mr. Osborne.

I always enjoyed the more informative discussions that Mr. Osborne had with Molly Haskell. They had a real understanding and their knowledge of film and especially classic film was on an even level. Carrie Fisher was enjoyable because she was quite spontaneous. Rose McGowan? I never understood that idea, and wondered who pushed that concept.

I find myself delaying the channel change when I know that the intro is on with Baldwin. I have often muted him at the end of the movie presentation.

I'm quite tempted to see if Best Buy perhaps offers a new television that has a built-in sensor that will automatically change the television whenever there's too much Alec Baldwin or Kardashian family exposure. : D Okay I admit it, that was for my own amusement.

I hope we'll not have a future TCM where Baldwin will be the host and we'll never see anymore John Wayne westerns. I already feel they've distanced themselves from musicals.

Steve Martin would be interesting.

Anyone enjoy SNL's Bill Hader when he co-hosted an evening of his movie choices?