OOOH!!!!

[franktangredi]

Oh no, I disagree completely. Her performance is EXACTLY what I would expect from someone involved with her cult, er charity.

Just so not all the objections to this come from one side: I favor abortion rights and I ALSO found the above comment objectionable. Highly objectionable.

What happened last night was simple. The woman has extreme math anxiety. She saw numbers and her brain shut down. She immediately assumed she couldn't answer it and didn't bother trying. She made a fool of herself, and she knew it, but it had absolutely nothing to do with her opinion on abortion or anything else.

Now, I hope some of the people who are NOT from New York or Los Angeles will join me in finding Heaton's remarks about people from Middle America being nicer than the rest of us to be equally objectionable. (I think she may have been unsuccessfully trying to make a joke. But can you imagine if a New Yorker got on and made a disparaging joke about "hicks"?)

[kusch]

Oh no, I disagree completely. Her performance is EXACTLY what I would expect from someone involved with her cult, er charity.

Just so not all the objections to this come from one side: I favor abortion rights and I ALSO found the above comment objectionable. Highly objectionable.

What happened last night was simple. The woman has extreme math anxiety. She saw numbers and her brain shut down. She immediately assumed she couldn't answer it and didn't bother trying. She made a fool of herself, and she knew it, but it had absolutely nothing to do with her opinion on abortion or anything else.

Now, I hope some of the people who are NOT from New York or Los Angeles will join me in finding Heaton's remarks about people from Middle America being nicer than the rest of us to be equally objectionable. (I think she may have been unsuccessfully trying to make a joke. But can you imagine if a New Yorker got on and made a disparaging joke about hicks?)

Frank, why do you think people from Middle America are hicks?

I know that is not what you think, but your statement above looks that way.

[franktangredi]

I edited it to put quotation marks around "hicks." I hope it was clear that I meant it as an insult the hypothetical New Yorker would use.

Oh no, I disagree completely. Her performance is EXACTLY what I would expect from someone involved with her cult, er charity.

Just so not all the objections to this come from one side: I favor abortion rights and I ALSO found the above comment objectionable. Highly objectionable.

What happened last night was simple. The woman has extreme math anxiety. She saw numbers and her brain shut down. She immediately assumed she couldn't answer it and didn't bother trying. She made a fool of herself, and she knew it, but it had absolutely nothing to do with her opinion on abortion or anything else.

Now, I hope some of the people who are NOT from New York or Los Angeles will join me in finding Heaton's remarks about people from Middle America being nicer than the rest of us to be equally objectionable. (I think she may have been unsuccessfully trying to make a joke. But can you imagine if a New Yorker got on and made a disparaging joke about hicks?)

Frank, why do you think people from Middle America are hicks?

I know that is not what you think, but your statement above looks that way.

[ulysses5019]

[quote="franktangredi"]I edited it to put quotation marks around "hicks." I hope it was clear that I meant it as an insult the hypothetical New Yorker would use.

I'd like to meet a hypothetical New Yorker.

[silverscreenselect]

What they'll see is her taking a few minutes on the question, offering to pay her charity out of her own pocket, and then persevering through adversity to work her way to the right answer. --Bob

She did not "perservere through adversity to work her way to the right answer." Regis practically spoonfed the answer. The only way he could have been more blatant was if he'd held up a cue card that had the letter "A" on it.

I think that watching several contestants get tripped up by the clock while a C-lister like Heaton is given all the time she needs to put her ignorance on display and then be given the answer by Regis is an insult to every contestant who played the game this week.

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

I'd like to meet a hypothetical New Yorker.

NTTAWWT

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

Ms. Heaton's Accountant may be the luckiest man on earth.

[Jeemie]

Oh no, I disagree completely. Her performance is EXACTLY what I would expect from someone involved with her cult, er charity.

This response reveals a lot more about you than it does Ms. Heaton.

In fact, one might say that a response like this is a very "cult-like" response.

[NellyLunatic1980]

Oh no, I disagree completely. Her performance is EXACTLY what I would expect from someone involved with her cult, er charity.

This response reveals a lot more about you than it does Ms. Heaton.

In fact, one might say that a response like this is a very "cult-like" response.

Yes, one might say that. Then again, one might say that Mamie Eisenhower liked it doggystyle. But that doesn't mean that one is necessarily correct.

But one would be correct in saying that she painted with a very broad brush in that comment. And one would also be correct in saying that there are likely plenty of smart and competent people working for the organization for which Patricia Heaton played.

[Jeemie]

But one would be correct in saying that she painted with a very broad brush in that comment.

I believe that's what I said.

[NellyLunatic1980]

But one would be correct in saying that she painted with a very broad brush in that comment.

I believe that's what I said.

Yes, but I just disagree with you on the part about her response being "cult-like".

[mcd1400de]

What happened last night was simple. The woman has extreme math anxiety. She saw numbers and her brain shut down. She immediately assumed she couldn't answer it and didn't bother trying. She made a fool of herself, and she knew it....

Despite having had to sit through the entire debacle... in an attempt to be fair to her, although I completely agree with what Frank said here, I think there was even more to it.

I would guess it wasn't Heaton's idea to do the show, especially given her obvious unfamiliarity with the game. More likely it was some ABC promo monkey that got the brilliant notion to fly her all the way across the country to make [what should have been] a five minute appearance, merely for what boiled down to an advertisment for her new fall show.

Thus she was clearly very nervous and afraid of making a fool of herself, as Frank said, before she ever even walked out. Then she got what the question writers probably figured was a total softball (I know my first thought was, "Rachael Ray got that nasty Google question... and she gets THIS? Geez."). But instead it was her worst nightmare. And she panicked, big time.

Now factor in an audience that had already been at the studio for nearly five hours, including a prior celebrity segment (albeit not a terrible one). I'd also wager, given 90-plus former contestants in attendance, that this group was likely to be more anti-celebrity than the "average" studio audience.

So we probably weren't terribly inclined to be on her "side" from the start, and her goofy interview with Reege didn't help. When she saw the question, and panicked so quickly and badly... she'd lost us, and she knew it. (Any performer that's worked with live audiences as much as Heaton knows immediately when a crowd is with her... and when it isn't.) And once the panic set in, everything she did or said just buried her that much further. It was like the perfect storm -- all the elements seeming to conspire against her.


That said, it was still a nightmare to endure in person. Those things are relatively easy to understand in retrospect; not so much at the time. And thank god Regis talked her through to the answer as he did, or we might STILL be sitting there.

[silverscreenselect]

That said, it was still a nightmare to endure in person. Those things are relatively easy to understand in retrospect; not so much at the time. And thank god Regis talked her through to the answer as he did, or we might STILL be sitting there.

For people like Eddie who were thinking about being unemployed while the clock was ticking down and debating what to do (or the eight ROF contestants who sat there watching any chance of appearing on the show go up in smoke while Patricia dithered), I'm sure that Patricia's "nightmarish" experience will gain a lot of sympathy. After all, it must be tough being forced to fly first class all the way across the country to stay in some cushy motel and get paid a bunch of money to promote a crappy comedy that's going to be off the air after about three episodes at which time you'll be forced to eke out an existance on the million bucks or so in guarantee money you made when you signed for the comedy.

I'd sure hate to have to endure one Patricia's nightmares.

[Jeemie]

But one would be correct in saying that she painted with a very broad brush in that comment.

I believe that's what I said.

Yes, but I just disagree with you on the part about her response being "cult-like".

That's because you don't understand my rapier-like wit.

[Beebs52]

Oh no, I disagree completely. Her performance is EXACTLY what I would expect from someone involved with her cult, er charity.

This response reveals a lot more about you than it does Ms. Heaton.

In fact, one might say that a response like this is a very "cult-like" response.

Yes, one might say that. Then again, one might say that Mamie Eisenhower liked it doggystyle. But that doesn't mean that one is necessarily correct.

But one would be correct in saying that she painted with a very broad brush in that comment. And one would also be correct in saying that there are likely plenty of smart and competent people working for the organization for which Patricia Heaton played.

It wasn't a broad brushstroke. She said "cult, er charity." That's fairly specific. I guess I'd be considered part of a "cult" for some of my beliefs, too. Apparently one who disagrees with Odyssey's core beliefs, assuming there are others beyond "feminism," makes one a member of a cult?

Or did I paint too broad a brush stroke?

[mellytu74]

But I do think it was a special moment, for the kid, the kid's family, and for those of us in the audience who got to witness it.

Agreed. I'm not sure there was a dry eye in our row.

I only wish that they had the foresight to set up the question with the kid in the Hot Seat and tape it.


It might have given ABC the chance to edit into a later episode, if circumstances allowed.

And the suggestion of the $50,000 to Make a Wish would have been terrific, too.

It was truly memorable as it was, though.

[MarleysGh0st]

I would guess it wasn't Heaton's idea to do the show, especially given her obvious unfamiliarity with the game. More likely it was some ABC promo monkey that got the brilliant notion to fly her all the way across the country to make [what should have been] a five minute appearance, merely for what boiled down to an advertisment for her new fall show.

Then Heaton should learn to say "No."

The last ten years of my life have been an obsession over sitting in that Hot Seat, but TPTB don't consider me entertaining enough. But they did want to air her performance, which she might not have had any desire to do in the first place? Puhleeze!

[hbomb1947]

I would guess it wasn't Heaton's idea to do the show, especially given her obvious unfamiliarity with the game. More likely it was some ABC promo monkey that got the brilliant notion to fly her all the way across the country to make [what should have been] a five minute appearance, merely for what boiled down to an advertisment for her new fall show.

Then Heaton should learn to say "No."

The last ten years of my life have been an obsession over sitting in that Hot Seat, but TPTB don't consider me entertaining enough. But they did want to air her performance, which she might not have had any desire to do in the first place? Puhleeze!

Just the latest, and most high-profile, example of the "reluctant auditioner" hook that is so compelling to TPTB . . .

And BTW, as much as Patricia Heaton has been (deservedly) savaged here, razzing is also warranted for TPTB for allowing this debacle to happen.

[Bob Juch]

That said, it was still a nightmare to endure in person. Those things are relatively easy to understand in retrospect; not so much at the time. And thank god Regis talked her through to the answer as he did, or we might STILL be sitting there.

For people like Eddie who were thinking about being unemployed while the clock was ticking down and debating what to do (or the eight ROF contestants who sat there watching any chance of appearing on the show go up in smoke while Patricia dithered), I'm sure that Patricia's "nightmarish" experience will gain a lot of sympathy. After all, it must be tough being forced to fly first class all the way across the country to stay in some cushy motel and get paid a bunch of money to promote a crappy comedy that's going to be off the air after about three episodes at which time you'll be forced to eke out an existence on the million bucks or so in guarantee money you made when you signed for the comedy.

I'd sure hate to have to endure one Patricia's nightmares.

As I said when I saw her tape: She picked the right career.

[mellytu74]

Chiming in....

I have math anixety. Big time. Despise it, hate it.

That said, I could elminate at least two of the answers -- fifty dimes and ninety pennies-- right off the bat.

I agree that it probably wasn't her idea to do the show -- especially with her unfamiliarity with the game.

Part of her contract, no doubt. If she had an option to say, "No," I would be extremely surprised.

[Of course, having been on the show before didn't necessarily help Vanessa Williams, did it?]

As far as Patricia Heaton's charity...

Maybe it's just me but I thought one of the raison d'etre of being pro-choice was the CHOICE.

Without getting into a when life begins philosophical discussion here......

Some women cannot handle a pregnancy, for whatever the reason. They make the choice to have an abortion.

Some women make the choice to carry the pregnancy to term. Don't they need counseling? Help with a decision on adoption?

Pregnant women -- whatever they decide -- need support and counseling.

Where is the problem in that?

[NellyLunatic1980]

This response reveals a lot more about you than it does Ms. Heaton.

In fact, one might say that a response like this is a very "cult-like" response.

Yes, one might say that. Then again, one might say that Mamie Eisenhower liked it doggystyle. But that doesn't mean that one is necessarily correct.

But one would be correct in saying that she painted with a very broad brush in that comment. And one would also be correct in saying that there are likely plenty of smart and competent people working for the organization for which Patricia Heaton played.

It wasn't a broad brushstroke. She said "cult, er charity." That's fairly specific. I guess I'd be considered part of a "cult" for some of my beliefs, too. Apparently one who disagrees with Odyssey's core beliefs, assuming there are others beyond "feminism," makes one a member of a cult?

Or did I paint too broad a brush stroke?

I would never be in a cult that would have me as a member.

[Bob Juch]

Yes, one might say that. Then again, one might say that Mamie Eisenhower liked it doggystyle. But that doesn't mean that one is necessarily correct.

But one would be correct in saying that she painted with a very broad brush in that comment. And one would also be correct in saying that there are likely plenty of smart and competent people working for the organization for which Patricia Heaton played.

It wasn't a broad brushstroke. She said "cult, er charity." That's fairly specific. I guess I'd be considered part of a "cult" for some of my beliefs, too. Apparently one who disagrees with Odyssey's core beliefs, assuming there are others beyond "feminism," makes one a member of a cult?

Or did I paint too broad a brush stroke?

I would never be in a cult that would have me as a member.

Too late! You're a member of the bored!

[NellyLunatic1980]

It wasn't a broad brushstroke. She said "cult, er charity." That's fairly specific. I guess I'd be considered part of a "cult" for some of my beliefs, too. Apparently one who disagrees with Odyssey's core beliefs, assuming there are others beyond "feminism," makes one a member of a cult?

Or did I paint too broad a brush stroke?

I would never be in a cult that would have me as a member.

Too late! You're a member of the bored!

I would hardly call this a cult.

[Bob Juch]

I would never be in a cult that would have me as a member.

Too late! You're a member of the bored!

I would hardly call this a cult.

That's what all cult members say!

[BackInTex]

Ok I didn't hear that part, I just heard the part about going to Ohio State and not being smart. Probably didn't hear the second part since my family and I were discussing our shock about what she just said after she said it. (Although if she went to another Big 10 school like Illinois, she would have gotten it immediately )

This explains her inept math skills. She went to a Big-10 school. A conference that apparantly can't count beyond ten. "Well, them's all the toes I gots so lets just keep it at 'ten'. I don't know what comes next. Hyuck, hyuck!"