Not a Dry Eye in the House

But let’s start before Christmas, when Judy wore one of my favorite jackets. Note the stripes on the cuffs:

She looked swell in hot pink. Sublime sleeve length.

I’m guessing Akris here. Just love the neckline. Almost looks like one of her bolero jackets, but here, the bolero shrug look is incorporated into the top itself.

Darling Diane in LA noted that Judy wore a light-up necklace on Christmas Eve. I too, am HERE FOR IT.

But all too soon, it was Friday, December 30, Judy’s last day on the NewsHour. She shone. But first let’s talk about her guests.

Damien Garde, from Stat (new news outlet to me; am I losing my edge?) charmed with his not-fixed bite. He’s adorbs and so are his chompers.

Maksym, a Kiev resident, recounted his family’s survival of the latest Russian attack on the city.

Among the many things Judy taught me, BTW, is that it’s pronounced “KEE-ve” (rhymes with “peeve”) not, “Key-evv” (rhymes with nothing).

This bit was an example of the humanity Judy and her crew bring to every story. They could have filmed Maksym to another room, or interviewed some other person on the street, but they interviewed this father in his child’s room (who was “not there” but reportedly unharmed). Note the deal llama wallpaper. It was a reminder of how recently life there was like life here.

Brooksy will miss Judy so much. Won’t we all?

But now he’s stuck with Capey, who doesn’t have the history that Judy and Brooks have. Brooksy interrupted his segment to salute Judy. Capey came to us from a villa in Italy, or was it an italianate villa in Phoenix, AZ: https://roselawgroupreporter.com/2022/12/inside-an-italian-villa-on-a-phoenix-mountaintop/ ?

Brooks said, “it’s easy to be better when you’re around you” to Judy. She certainly made this blogger better. Less snarky even (sometimes).

Judy was all class on her final broadcast. Just right in a simple, perfectly-cut red dress.

Note the sleeve length. It was perfect, too.

Judy ended the hour with a touching but not sappy – never sappy – wrap-up. Of course this blogger (and truth be told, Mr. Blogger) was tearing up already.

At the end of the show, the cameras turned on the audience, in which Judy’s son sat, clapping with all of the rest of us. She gave him a kiss on the head and it was lights out here.

Was I crying for more than Judy? Probably, but she got me started.

Thankfully, Judy won’t be gone for long.

“Judy Woodruff Presents: America at a Crossroads” airs in something like three weeks. It won’t be the same, no, but it will be good. She is a heckin’ interviewer. This blogger looks forward to seeing those skills on display on the regular.

In response to the kind readers who asked whether this blog will go on, the answer is a resounding “yes”!

After all, Judy will need a whole new wardrobe for this gig.

SOMEONE has to comment on it.

Happy New Year!

Chartreuse on the Loose

That’s a fun word, “chartreuse,” defined as a color between yellow and green. Please tell me how Judy can pull it off? This blogger wouldn’t dare, but Judy does it with aplomb. Love the tiny bolero jackets she wears from time to time. Great cut for her petite figure.

Laura Barron-Lopez tried, again, to copy Judy’s color palette, and ended up firmly in lemon yellow territory.

I”m an old fuddy duddy — I cannot help agreeing with reader Diane in LA who had the urge to put a barrette in Laura’s hair to get it OFF HER FACE.

Oh no. Poor Lisa. She seems to earn enough as a tv reporter to purchase new clothes from time to time, but it’s what she chooses that’s so upsetting:

Loved the 80s. Power. Lust. Greed.

Dynasty.

But you can’t wear shoulder pads without dramatic eye makeup. (See above). You just can’t.

I’m fine with the natural look, but for heaven’s sake, not with shoulder pads.

And they don’t make Lisa look like a Power Chick; they make her seem lost.

You’ve got to own the look, baby.

It’s Been Too Long…

…Ere I blogged last.

I think I had Blogger’s Block if that’s a thing (I am wishing it into existence with initial caps).

So much has changed.

Laura Barron-Lopez (cannot figure out the accent aigu – wait that’s French on this darn thing) joined. I miss Yamiche, but Laura is cool.

But Lisa, tell us how you really feel about a new correspondent. Are you ready to mix it up?

Looks like it. I guess that’s why she refused to come to the office (or did she catch Covid?) the next time she reported:

I am as big a fan of Gloria Steinem as the next person:

but we can’t all pull off the aviators like she could. That’s all I’m sayin’.

I couldn’t help but notice journalist Ruth Marcus’ luxe “cabin” recently. Nice digs if you can swing it.

I respect Dr. Michelle Carlo, of Direct Relief in Puerto Rico. I do.

But if you are going to do a story from a place just whacked by a hurricane, are these the best bookshelves you could find?

Are they for atmosphere?

Were those right angles before Fiona?

Enough digression. Let’s get back to our heroine. (Or do we just say “hero” for everyone now?) I don’t recall having seen this purple number before. Looks great and I dig the little shell peeking out from the blazer.

No surprise that relative-greenhorn Laura chose to model her wardrobe on Judy’s. Sure’ Laura’s was too loud, but “A” for effort.

Loyal readers/watchers will recognize this summer frock Judy wore the other day. Astute reader Cathy remarked that Judy isn’t shy about wearing the same outfit several times. I love that, too. There is much too much waste in this world.

Judy’s hair has undergone some changes, as one can see from these two images. of course, this blogger thinks both look great.

Recently, Judy interviewed Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan and looked great doing it. Was this another Akris special, loyal fashionistas?

Take another look and let me know!

I love Ken Burns as much as the next person, and that’s a lot, but what I really love is….

His NEW HAIR!

Take a gander:

Do you recall his old ways?

Or this?

Ken, we love your work and we love you, and finally we can love your (suspiciously-darker-than-your-beard) hair!

Glad to be back!

RIP Mark Shields

We lost a a great one last weekend. Rest in peace, Mark. Look at that face!

Judy said, “everyone, EVERYONE at the News Hour loved him,” and I don’t doubt that for a second.

Some of the words the all-stars gathered to remember him used about Mark:

“Humility”

“Knowledge” (of politics, of sports, of anything in which he was interested)

“Irish wit”

“Velvet hammer”

“Enduring optimism about public service”

Some of the all-stars who gathered with Judy to remember dear Mark were: David Gergen, David Brooks, Robert MacNeil…

Mark’s wonderful wife, Anne…

Al Hunt (Mr. Judy)…

Mark and Anne’s daughter, Amy (Shields) Doyle, who told us her dad was just as lovely as he seemed and that he made up games for the grandkids, which he often won!

Judy closed us out by saying, “there was nobody like him.” Ain’t that the truth.

Say It Ain’t So!

Good grief — we look away for a quick minute and Judy deserts us? Alert reader Diana in LA broke the story from Variety last night. I chose this headline because it tells us who the successors are. Of course, no one person could fill Judy’s (designer) shoes. At least I think they couldn’t. She might not wear shoes, for all we know.

I”m not shocked that Amna got the nod. There were no other real contenders. Lisa needs some… seasoning, and Yamiche left the ship.

Yamiche wore a swell flowery blazer two weeks ago on Washington Week, sez alert reader Blogger’s Mom. She sent me a pic but I lost it. Geez.

But I digress.

Who is this guy, Geoff Bennett?

Not a thrilling dresser, that’s for sure, with his Brooks Bros (does that even still exist? I think a private equity shop ran it into the ground) rep tie and blue-on-blue pocket square. Tasteful but boooorrrrrriiiinnnnnnngggg.

How does Bill Brangham feel about all this? I know he prefers William, but “Bill” sounds better. What about Nick Schifrin? John Yang? They are too classy to vocalize about the upstart coming in and stealing the limelight but I wonder how they feel in the wee small hours of the night.

Let’s take a look at recent Judy outfits from best to worst:

I love Judy in a bolero jacket. Not everyone can pull off screaming neon yellow but somehow Judy does.

Though she looks skeptical, no one can wear white like Judy. This beat out the swell orange number that took bronze because this blogger could never wear white. Not only does the color not suit but the spills!

Love Judy in the militaristic look. Always have. Always will. This is pretty woolly and buttoned-up for late spring, but of course she makes it work.

Oh how we will miss you! Burgundy always works – even when her hair was a bit to the strawberry while she was WFH during the height (we hope) of the pandemic.

Everyone’s allowed an off day and Judy is no exception. The longer-style jacket doesn’t suit her but it’s the color here that washes her out.

Dear Reader, whatever will we do?

We have until after the midterm elections to prepare ourselves, so let’s not waste a minute of our time together.

Did Lisa Read Us?

Loyal readers know that I do not spare Lisa in these pages. (Some comment I am not tough enough on her. Mr. Blogger can attest to my private comments, but in this forum I am trying to have some class. Only you, dear reader, can decide whether I succeed.)

Dare we hope that Lisa has heard/read our humble blog? She has looked so much more professional lately, with a few slip-ups now and again. Her hair is still too long, her hoop earrings still too big, but let’s give praise where it’s due.

Below, Lisa’s leftward cant in the interview speaks to her newfound confidence. She looks like a seasoned pro, not a candy striper. Not lost on us is her blue Flair pen and blue paper, certainly a homage to Judy.

She even managed to look swell in this semi-ghastly floral top:

Not lost on this blogger is the fact that Lisa is not wearing glasses in any of these images. I am a big fan of specs, and sport a honkin’ pair of black frames me-self but Lisa clearly doesn’t have a trusted advisor when it comes to her spectacles. Let’s all pause a moment to recall our own least-favorite pair of Lisa’s frames.

Thank you.

Maybe she should lay off them until one of us can go with her to Warby Parker or wherever.

Michael Kofman has been on Judy’s show frequently and we couldn’t help but notice the portrait to his right. Is that Patrick Stewart dressed as Napoleon?

It sure is!

Turns out there is an artist (Steve Payne) who puts famous actors’ faces onto general’s bodies:

And I was wrong — it is a Russian general’s body DURING Napoleon’s invasion.

I would have gone for the Bill Murray myself:

Oh it’s great to be back!

Hold, Please!

Hi, Judy Friends!

I am writing to tell you why I have not been writing. You see, in addition to the crazy amount of cash dollars I make from this blog, I am a financial crime fighter. I work for an asset manager which has historically invested in Russia. As part of my job, I interpret global economic sanctions, so they know what they can do and not do.

There has been a LOT of complicated “not do” lately, needless to say, and it has made me a busy bee. SO MUCH SANCTIONS!

Please know that I have my priorities straight: Judy is at the top. I have recorded 13 Judy shows for fashion review. In the meantime, keep those comments coming!

I’ll be back!

XOXO

Judy Merch!

Writing this blog has been a great experience. I started it at the instigation of Mr. Blogger, who said that as long as I was commenting on Judy’s outfit every night, I should write about it. I have so enjoyed making connections with other fans who have somehow found the blog and sent comments.

Just yesterday, Andrew wrote to me. He’s a Judy fan who has taken his Judy love in a fantastic direction: Judy merchandise! He makes shirts with Judy all over them! Here he is in one of his creations:

Isn’t it fun to know how many Judy fans there are? Judy Nation! The Judy diaspora!

Of course there are likely millions who tune into her show for unbiased reporting on the news of the day, but many of us have fallen in love with the messenger and her supporting cast along the way.

Andrew shared that his is making a new batch of these beauties. Too late for Valentine’s Day, but a great shirt is always in style. Here’s a shot of another of his creations:

I will post info on how to purchase one of these when I hear from Andrew.

Meanwhile, Judy looked skeptical but stylish on Monday in purple boucle. At least I think that’s what it was. Feel free to correct. As we loyal fans know, Judy typically accessorizes only with earrings, a watch, and what I presume is a wedding/engagement ring combo, but Monday she wore this silver heart necklace.

I took a closeup, but the resolution on my tv isn’t very good. I have been lobbying Mr. Blogger for a larger tv, but maybe I should focus, so to speak, on one with HD.

The fashion standout on Monday was not Judy or her typical supporting cast. It was this little girl in the photo accompanying the story on masks in schools:

She is one to watch. I am almost certain she chose her own outfit and she ROCKED it. The velveteen jacket recalls Prince’s heyday.:

Before The Rain 1980 to 1984: How Prince Got 'The Look' - The Costume  Society

The lapels alone could launch a thousand blogs.

The little girl’s tulle-and-flowers skirt is fit for a princess, and I bet that’s a princess peeking out of the jacket on the t-shirt. The shoes are perfect and the pink flowered mask ties it all together. I even love the picture she’s coloring. Way to go, you precocious fashionista!

Happy Days Are Here Again!

I should never have doubted Judy. Mea culpa mea culpa mea maxima culpa!

Yesterday, thanks to alert readers Blogger’s Mom and Ashley, I was immediately alerted to this fab new look on Judy, though I was out to dinner (hamburger joint) at the time. Apologies for poor resolution on these images but I hope you get the gist.

My first impression was that Judy had gone cammo, but upon closer inspection the dress fabric was revealed to have a wintry flower pattern. So perfect for these dark days of winter! But what was the pin? Let me see if I can find out anything. Hold please, while I consult the Research Desk…

Can’t find anything. Darn.

Let’s take a second look. I wouldn’t have worn a pin with this outfit but I am just so tickled to have more to work with I am at a loss!

Yes this dress really works. Doesn’t detract from the stories she’s covering, yet underscores her commitment to high fashion. Well, high news anchor fashion.

We’d have to go to Pittsburgh native Billy Porter for true high fashion:

On Tuesday, Judy needed a little rest mid-news hour, but she paired the RIGHT green cardigan with her dress. Love the jacket. At first I thought it was a bolero, but it’s too long for that. The sleeves are just right. Betting this is Akris.

Judy started the week off right with a lovely winter white outfit. Love, love, love the traditional collar on the blazer and the jewel neckline on the dress beneath. Perfect.

Judy, we count on you for so much more than the news.

Thank you for brightening up our winter days with your smart looks!

Gimme Something to Work with, Judy!

What a ho-hum week. I am tempted to agree with commenter Julie, who wrote “some of Judy’s clothing is dull and repetitive.” I was under no obligation to approve that comment, mind you, but I did. What’s worse, I fear that this week, at least, Julie was right.

Take a gander:

Apologies for poor photo quality but crisper focus would not have livened up Judy’s selections this week.

Is she feeling the same Covid/winter/climate change/armageddon blues as ordinary mortals? Say it ain’t so.

But maybe it is, because Wednesday brought no relief.

Slightly interesting cut of this dress, but we must admit it was “repetitive.”

Fortunately, we had Judy’s supporting cast to liven things up:

That Tam is just a darn BUTTON I tell you. Look at that little tiny smile! Love her.

Don’t love the earrings.

Save them for jeans and a white button-down, Tammy. Maybe throw in some nice Frye boots.

Lisa did better than usual early in the week. Some love her hoops but not this blogger.

Is it Covid that keeps her from getting a haircut? ABOVE THE SHOULDERS, I say. Her face is long, and that’s ok, but the length of her hair makes it look REALLY long, almost like this:

Amazon.com: Lugz Men's Convoy Lace-Up Work Boot Black, 14 : Clothing, Shoes  & Jewelry

I guess that’s mean, but this blogger also has a long face, so I know from whence I speak. Finally got my Covid locks cut this week. Yes, above the shoulder. Do I wish I could carry off longer hair, sure, sometimes, but let’s be real.

You don’t want to know how many pictures my camera person (just kidding, I) took to try to make Lisa’s head look, well, proportionate, on Wednesday.

Nothing doing.

Lisa does not seem to take our advice, no matter how direct.

Could it be she does not read our blog? Perish the thought.

I fear someone at Judy’s show is mean-spiritied. For the longest time, like months, anytime there was a story on unemployment, they showed the same line, at the head of which was a woman in a Jack Skellington hoodie. I am sure she didn’t appreaciate the air time.

They changed the picture for the latest story on unemployment, but I ask you…

One can only hope Brooksy and Capey will liven up the sartorial story for us this evening.

Sigh.