"The scandal-plagued politician and his stoically supportive spouse." We've seen this scene a thousand times and yet, for whatever reason, it continues to transfix.
But what is it about this so-predictable-it's-almost-cliché tableau that nonetheless has us so entranced? Is it, as some lady we've never heard of* postulates, that "if you see a guy standing next to his wife, it offers some explanation that he might be telling the truth?"
Or is it that we're all, essentially, voyeurs, overgrown high school girls prone to spurts of schadenfreude and juvenile meanness, and invariably drawn to moments rife with awkwardness and public depravity?
Not only did MSNBC anchor Alison Stewart lose her own show The Most, but now she's causing problems for network superstar Keith Olbermann.
Filling in for The O Man last week, she hosted a segment about Wendy Vitter – wife to disgraced Sen. David Vitter, who admitted his name was on D.C. Madame Deborah Jeane Palfrey's client list – and the dress she wore to the press conference where the senator made the announcement. Let's just say, the dress was leopard print, and raised eyebrows.
Including Alison's. And, wouldn't you know it, Radar's Jeff Bercovici was there to take part in what some are calling a "low point in Countdown history" as they mocked her for looking all prostitute-y at a presser about prostitute-y things.
Last night, Keith apologized for it (see above video). Fox News might have Julia Allison, but now MSNBC has Bercovici.
Editorial Director
