Potpourri

Sad to note the death of writer and director John Hughes. He created three of my fave comic films, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Sixteen Candles" and Planes Trains and Automobiles." Always appreciated that his sense of humor was character driven and he didn't reach for cheap obvious sleazy laughs like so many contemporary auteurs (e.g., Judd Apatow).

Duh! Despite inexplicable opposition from so many scaredy cat GOP Senators who fear the wrath of their own extreme rightists, this week we gained a new U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

There may be payback down the road for this knee jerk opposition. The Prez should nominate a really liberal judge at the next opportunity. Justice Stevens is 89, Justice Ginsburg is 76 with health problems and the next shot the GOP has at the White House is 2012. A lot can happen in a few years.

Another RIP artist this week is novelist and screenwriter Budd Schulberg. Best known for "On the Waterfront" (another fave film of mine) he also played a key role in creating "A Face in the Crowd," starring Andy Griffith in a raw and edgy performance light years away from his folksy Mayberry sheriff.