Recent George Pelletier Columns

No easy solution to volatility of world gas prices

George Pelletier | Thursday, May 10, 2012

Last month, Mitt Romney called on President Obama to pink-slip three of his Cabinet members: Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Environmental …

Dick Clark: An interview with ‘America’s Oldest Teenager’

George Pelletier | Thursday, April 26, 2012

When music and TV legend Dick Clark died last week, I recalled the great fortune I had to interview the pop culture ambassador in 1994. …

Where ‘in your face’ journalism goes right, wrong

George Pelletier | Thursday, April 12, 2012

There’s a viral video that depicts a pugnacious journalist, following a man out of court, asking question upon question. As the man says he has …

Romney and the land of Misfit Toys

George Pelletier | Thursday, March 29, 2012

Last week, the GOP race went all “Toy Story” on the mainstream media when Mitt Romney adviser Eric Fehrnstrom flubbed a question on CNN when …

When it comes to Limbaugh, fools really do Rush in

George Pelletier | Thursday, March 15, 2012

Back in 1994, Al Franken gave a nod and an eye roll to Rush Limbaugh at the White House Correspondents Dinner. “Most of us in …

15 minutes of fame is too long for some

George Pelletier | Thursday, March 1, 2012

Taking a hint from Nostradamus, artist Andy Warhol once chirped, “In the future, everybody will be world famous for 15 minutes.” Not terribly verbose, Warhol’s …

Let’s pose a question: Is all this really worth it?

George Pelletier | Thursday, February 16, 2012

Anyone who knows me knows I occasionally like to saunter down that simple line between cynicism and sarcasm. Enter yoga. I’ve recently begun a short …

Newt, loot and glutes – everybody’s a winner

George Pelletier | Thursday, February 2, 2012

Rendering story ideas for each of these columns isn’t as glamorous as it looks. Granted, there is hair and makeup and costume fitting, fumbling between …

Glass always gets emptied on some TV shows

George Pelletier | Thursday, January 19, 2012

Last week while watching BBC America (or as I like to call it, “The English Channel” – get it?), I came across an fascinating documentary. …

(My so-called) Best, Worst of 2011 still standing

George Pelletier | Thursday, January 5, 2012

Twenty-eleven is gone as fast as Kim Kardashian’s wedding to Kris Humphries (72 days, or 3.7 episodes of “Keeping up with the Kardashians”) or as …

Laugh at life, or life will laugh at you

George Pelletier | Thursday, December 22, 2011

Much like the sea, irony is a harsh mistress. Roughly translated from the ancient Greek “eironeia,” it can mean dissimulation or feigned ignorance. And somehow, …

Mind the gap between you and the next person

George Pelletier | Thursday, December 8, 2011

By now, we’ve all heard those clever idioms to imply someone who’s cranially challenged. He’s got a photographic memory with the lens cover glued on. …

GOP presidential nomination race at least entertaining

George Pelletier | Thursday, November 24, 2011

What is Rick Perry thinking? The uber-candidate quickly became the “Oops” guy after he suffered a brain cramp and made a gaffe at a recent …

Trying to survive in an unnaturally frozen world

George Pelletier | Thursday, November 10, 2011

One of my heroes, the late Warren Zevon, wrote a natty, beguiling song called “Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead.” I realize the …

A San Francisco postcard – with all the ups and downs

George Pelletier | Thursday, October 27, 2011

Dear (insert name here): Just returned from my vacation to San Francisco; still recovering from jet lag and shin splints. I had a great time …

Making sense of fashion when you take to the air

George Pelletier | Thursday, October 13, 2011

This week, I’m in San Francisco after spending last weekend in Los Angeles. And lately, I’ve been mesmerized by the uber-hyped TV show “Pan Am,” …

Have we embarked on the last train to Monkeeville?

George Pelletier | Thursday, September 29, 2011

Over the summer, I had a chance to catch the original prefabricated four, The Monkees, who were touring in celebration of their 45th anniversary. Three …

The naked truth about nude sunbathing

George Pelletier | Thursday, September 15, 2011

For some, there’s something liberating about the antic of being naked. The freedom. The exhilaration. The lack of pocket lint. …

Girls-only trip has room for breathless Scarecrow

George Pelletier | Thursday, September 1, 2011

I remember fondly the nickname my high school girlfriend bestowed upon me: Rapscallion. It came in handy on more than one occasion. I had a …

It’s a mall world after all

George Pelletier | Thursday, August 18, 2011

As the GOP presidential candidates grow more rapacious and the hemorrhaging stock market continues to bob like a maestro’s baton conducting the “1812 Overture,” I …

Mock the vote 2012: Go crazy early

George Pelletier | Thursday, August 4, 2011

It’s a little disconcerting that the NFL lockout was resolved before the federal debt ceiling crisis. This speaks volumes. First of all, football has fans. …

Lesson is lost, but not on the little ones

George Pelletier | Thursday, July 21, 2011

Lately, I’ve been trying to wrap my head around TLC’s show “Toddlers and Tiaras,” a masochistic kiddie rodeo in which toddlers are groomed, painted and …

Checking out hotel pools can leave a visitor all wet

George Pelletier | Thursday, July 7, 2011

On holiday last week to the Latin Riviera, (aka South Beach in Florida), I said pshaw to renting plastic lounge chairs along the beach and …

A world of entertainment in a three-pack

George Pelletier | Thursday, June 23, 2011

I recently enjoyed a hat trick, of sorts, covering three greatly entertaining, but different, types of shows in our area. First up: I got my …

English muffins are featured on this menu

George Pelletier | Thursday, June 9, 2011

Have you heard the one about the North Carolina diner owner who posted a vaguely xenophobic sign that stated “English Only?” It’s true. Business owner …

Wanted: Map to find way out of luxury rental car

George Pelletier | Thursday, May 26, 2011

Last week, I had my P. Diddy day in the sun when my car had to go into the shop and they gave me a …