Echo chamber

Watching Barbara Walters' 10 most fascinating people of 2006. They list nine at the opening:

Anna Wintour--maybe
Jay-Z--sure
Andre Agassi--yes
Sacha Baron Cohen--yes
Joel Osteen--sure
Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt--yes
John Ramsey--uh, no
Patrick Dempsey--uh, no
Terri Irwin--maybe

She starts with Andre Agassi, who I think is great. I've always liked him; but he's absolutely transcended sports as he's grown--Walters notes his foundation has raised over $60 million dollars for underprivileged kids. Steffi Graf, looking a bit like Sarah Jessica Parker, joins the interview; she's one of my favorites too. They just have a great air to them; the chemistry is there, and they both seem like good people.

Next, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. A co-worker and I were just talking today about how much we like them (for movie stars)--they're both smart, and have a sense of depth to them. It's easy to make fun of her especially, given her past. But, as Walters says, theirs is a tale of two people who had everything but weren't happy, and did something about it. In an odd ending to the piece, Walters refers to their 'multiracial brood'. Uh, ok.

Then, Joel Osteen. Who I've always disliked. He runs the largest church in America--Houston's Lakewood church, now housed in the arena where the Houston Astros used to play. He looks a bit like a toothy Tim Allen, there's an element of the slick to him; and you can see him trying to impose his personality on people. Walters sums up his philosophy as no sin, no suffering, no sacrifice. He prays for money for his congregation--raises, bonuses, promotions (Jesus: A fair boss for an unfair time). Three words to describe himself? Happy, compassionate, and integrity (not exactly parallel construction)--to which Barbara adds 'smiling.' I'd add ugh.

Jay-Z, who I know little about, except for what I read in the Times. Walters calls him 'Jayzee', one word. Funny, he looks kindof nerdy. And seems quite thoughtful and intelligent. Hmm, he's apparently involved with Beyonce. Walters says although you'd never know it--sure enough, he refuses to gush about her, except she's a great person. She seems cool too; another neat celebrity couple. The secret to his success? Truth, he says.

Next, Walters says they honor the crocodile hunter, Stephen Irwin, by picking her widow (they only allow living people to be fascinating). Okay.... She's an American, seems very determined, tough. Very odd--she talks in emotional terms about him, but in pat phrases, almost everything she says is a platitude. It seems like they're entire life was a show. She thought of him as invincible, as long as they were together. I mean, she seems nice and it's a sad story--but ultimately this is a stuntman who died. She's not fascinating, what's fascinating is our interest in things like this.

Anna Wintour. Who just seems tough, and determined, and someone who knows exactly what she wants. It feels like she and Babs travel in the same circles, there's an odd dynamic to their interview. She's apparently had her hair in the same style since 15. Has an odd accent (she's from--Philadelphia?!) Walters asks her if the mood of the country affects fashion--she says yes; fashion has been militant lately, there was a real sense that the women on the runway are going into battle, but post-election there's optimism, a sense that there'll be a withdrawal from Iraq, which is translating into more fun designs. Sheesh, nothing like hearing about politics from fashionistas.

Next, Sacha Baron Cohen. Whose Borat character I thought was hilarious in the tv shows, horrible in the movie theater. She doesn't get an interview with him--Cohen's apparently not talking anymore. No loss, he's grown quickly irritating. Heck, who didn't cheer when 'Borat' got punched in the street.

John Ramsey, dad of JonBenet. Ridiculous choice; her breathless demeanor makes it seem like Walters is their PR shill. Hmm... watching it, I'm more sympathetic--his first wife had cancer, their daughter died in a car accident. He even says at one point he started feeling sorry for John Mark Karr, because he was being convicted in the media, like they were.

Next, Patrick Dempsey, who I guess is on (ABC's) Grey's Anatomy. Apparently, he's dreamy. And, it seems a big part of the appeal of the show is his hair (good thing he's married to a hairstylist)? Uh, okay. This is a total waste of time, he seems like a typically self-centered Hollywoodite who probably thinks playing a surgeon is as important as being one.

Who's the most fascinating person going to be? My guess is a politician. Donald Rumsfeld, if she plays it straight. Barack Obama if she really is a product of her environment. Nancy Pelosi, if she goes nuts. Or, Mark Foley if the ABC brass have their way.

And it's indeed Nancy Pelosi, which I think is more wishful--or, premature--than actual. Wow, I didn't know she had 5 kids in 4 years, essentially a stay-at-home mom until her youngest was in high school. That's pretty cool. She says she wants to root out corruption in Washingon--maybe it'll take a woman to clean up the house, she says.

I guess we'll see. As for my own lists, I agree with Agassi, Cohen and Bradgelina, would add Rumsfeld and my list of ideal dinner party guests, and--because hey, maybe 2006's most fascinating people should include non-Americans! I'd throw in the following:

-Muhammad Yunus
-Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (famous/infamous; fascinating/infascinating?)
-Zinedine Zidane
-Soon-to-be UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
-Segolene Royal

Now that'd make one heck of a dinner party!

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy photo of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie outside Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennyslvania via the AP.