The news started with with Bergman, mentioned previously, then went through this amazing cast of characters:

• Michel Serrault Dies of Cancer at 79
• Italian filmmaker Antonioni dies at 94

  previously: a short, loving review of Blow-up

• Bill Walsh, 1931-2007: A Winner and an Innovator
• Talk show host Snyder dies at 71

And I'm about to bombarded with her during Red Sox season:

Dunkin' Donuts signs Rachael Ray

Let me just say it right now- "that sucks."

She drives me absolutely insane. Her and her ilk drove me away from the Food Network and now, since Dunkies advertises heavily on Red Sox coverage, I'm going to have to deal with her shrill, moronic, banshee-toned voice and enormous head popping up forty five times a game for the next several months. I'm honestly at a loss as to who might be more annoying to me as a shill during Red Sox games and I'm drawing a blank. From my perspective, she's quite possibly the worst person they could have chosen.

I'm going to end up breaking my TV or watching every game on time delay so I can fast forward through the commercials. Which of course doesn't help me with the radio- my primary Sox interface during the preparation and eating of dinner every night.

Not that I go there very often, but I'm fucking boycotting Dunkin Donuts until they stop polluting Red Sox coverage with that gigantic meloned harpy.

By the way, from the article linked above:

"In TV ads set to begin airing in April, TV host Rachael Ray will allow Dunkin' Donuts to bask in the halo of her culinary artistry."

Culinary artistry? Da fug? Who is she Joël Robuchon all of a sudden?

I used to love The Food Network. I really did. I learned about crazy techniques and ingredients and learned about new chefs and restaurants to check out on my travels. It was a true food lovers paradise TV destination. And then they handed the Network to people like Rachel Ray and Bobby Flay (who I hate even more than Rachel Ray) and it all went to hell in a hand basket. It completely sucks now and it's only momentum that keeps it on my favorites.

Which brings us to Anthony Bourdain, host of the best food/travel show on the airwaves, methodically attacking his former employers in this welcome blog post. He's very funny and very, very right:

ruhlman.com: Guest Blogging: A Bourdain Throwdown

First Preacher and now this:

HBO is turning George R.R. Martin’s series of “A Song of Ice and Fire” fantasy novels into a TV series. The plan is to adapt one novel each season, starting with 1996’s “A Game of Thrones.”

By the way, between this and The Diamond Age on Sci-Fi, I'm having a proper nerdgasm today.