What's Judy Woodruff Wearing?

Miss the weekly trivia night at your favorite watering hole? No matter, it’s game night here at the blog!

First up: Spot the Differences!

Tonight:

And May 14:

You’re right! There are four: the earrings for today’s show are pearl studs; 5/14’s were drops. Today’s black layer looks like an unstructured cardigan, while 5/14’s was a tailored jacket. Today’s red shell is more cherry-forward, while 5/14’s was more to the coral. Bonus points for recalling that today’s flowers were the faux white ones from pre-5/14. 5/14 had fresh.

Still, I am left with the uncomfortable feeling that tonight, Judy was not giving us her all.

Game #2: On a photo alone, guess the party affiliations of two senators:

Nice work, you!

The top is Republican Senator Pat Toomey from the great state of Pennsylvania. The bottom, Democrat Sherrod Brown of Ohio. Was it the crammed Office Depot-issue shelves in the basement that gave Sherrod away? The pilled First Amendment pillow on his sad rocker? The self-cut hair? Or did you spot the thin-lipped, purple venetian blinds-backed, tailored real curtains in the Capitol that tipped Toomey’s hand?

By the way, how did wearing masks to protect others become a partisan issue? Mine has sock monkeys on it.

MWAH!

Judy, looks like you chose a royal blue dress with a simple scooped neckline. I am fine with that, though a pan to the right would reveal that your admirer (doubtless one of many) needs to send a fresh bouquet. It’s not a headdress, as one commenter suggested. At least we still have the coin globe. What are those earrings? I don’t understand them, so how can I rate them? A gift, perhaps.

Up to 90,000 U.S. COVID deaths, but our president revealed today that we can rest easty because he has been taking a drug known to cause heart problems and notably NOT known to stave off COVID as a prophylactic. No giggling in the peanut gallery over that word. Of course, the president didn’t use it, because he doesn’t know it. He reports, “so far, I seem to be OK.” Based on whose measure?

*** NEWS FLASH ***

I have two new crushes: the adorable NZ PM, Jacinda Ardem and the dear doctor Atul Gawande. More on him later.

Making sure you saw the Times piece last Friday about the fact that women leaders are handling the pandemic better than the men. Duh. How is that news? Still and all, a good article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/world/coronavirus-women-leaders.html
Check this look:

No drop earrings there. She’s all business. Hair pulled back. No unproven drugs for her.

Atul Gawande, total dude, Dr. at Brigham and Womens, contributor to The New Yorker, author of Being Mortal, which I cannot recommend highly enough:

Dr. Gawande showed up for Judy tonight. Who would turn down an invite from Judy? Only a boor. Dr. Gawande sported a somehow-entirely-appropriate gameshow-host-suitable purple blazer as he discussed the “keep me safe, leave me alone debate,” concluding that his position is, “I never want to be the one that puts you in the hospital.” I don’t want that either, unless YOU’RE the attending, Dr. Smooth.

Look at that engaged half-squint. So intelligent, sincere yet wordly for a young man. Does it not instill confidence, his lab coat hanging prominently on the door? This man is ready to SERVE.

Love the royal blue-on-royal blue. The blazer over the shell is so flattering, and formal enough to entertain her guests, Mark and David. I also like the ’40s-style wide lapels. I’ve no use for narrow lapels or ties. Glad she found this in her closet, maybe in the way back. Neiman Marcus won’t be around when she comes out of shelter-in-place. Note that the color goes perfectly with the globe’s backdrop. Is that a reflection? No matter; I like it. I like the light pink lip gloss. Who’da thunk it? I hope Judy has a good weekend, because she’s done a super job this week.

As much as I’d like to talk all day about Burr’s insider trading problems — The FBI raided the home of the Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. How often does that happen, I wonder? I must turn to Anthony Fauci.

I hadn’t realized he had been awarded the Medal of Freedom. You go, Tony!

It’s difficult to think of an example of a more honest, humble and patriotic public servant working today than dear Dr. Fauci. I just love the guy. He’s so brave. OK, he’s a Nats fan, and before that a Yanks fan, but at least he likes baseball. Look at that face.

Thank goodness he wears a mask around that germy president:

There’s precious little to report on Fauci’s fashion sense, because he apparently doesn’t have any. Isn’t that comforting? Would we want him vogueing in the latest Comme des Garcons?

Everything about Fauci screams, “listen to me. I don’t have a dog in this fight.” Absolutely nothing says, “look at me. Pay attention to me.” And that’s just how we should want it.

I love Mark Shields. I’m a newish David Brooks fan, though it looks like he has been cutting his own hair or using too much conditioner:

As Mark, said, Fauci is “one of the heroes of the American government over the past twenty years.” Amen to that.

Have a great weekend!

I like this look, Judy. While the red brings out the strawberry tones in your hair, the jacket-and-tee look suits you and goes well with the books on your shelf. Did anyone think, six months ago, that would be a consideration?

So we’re at 300,000 dead globally from COVID, 85,000 of those US deaths. 36 million unemployment claims since the pandemic started. “The darkest winter in modern history” is predicted, so let’s talk mask style.

Speaker Pelosi has some kickin’ masks.

Vogue posted yesterday that Nancy Pelosi has won the battle of the facemask: https://www.vogue.com/article/nancy-pelosi-color-coordinated-face-mask-pantsuit

Today, Harpers’ followed suit, so to speak: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a32478091/nancy-pelosi-style-face-masks/

She nailed it. Not too young, not too conservative and not too fun, like this writer’s sock monkey and baby dino masks. She’s supplementing bespoke masks with scarves worn cowboy-style. That works style-wise. I guess it does for viruses, too.

Leaves this blogger wondering: what do Judy’s masks look like? Do they get tangled in her drop earrings? This blogger could not find a single image of a bemasked Judy, or Lisa or Yamiche for that matter. Will we ever know?

Tomorrow, Shields and Brooks…

(Couldn’t find pics of them in masks, either. What good is this stupid World Wide Web? I don’t think it will amount to anything.)

I’d like to open by asking you to repeat after me: “The market is not the economy” Good. Once more now, “The market is not the economy.” The Dow was down 516 points, after being down 400-something yesterday. Somebody’s not buying “We have met the moment and we have prevailed.”

“Mission accomplished,” anyone?

My boyfriend with the great hair, Jerome Powell, urged more federal action to avoid permanent damage to the economy. Yes, my brother. Also, what says, “I’m a serious intellectual” like aviators halfway down the nose and a creased forehead? Listen to the man.

Let’s turn the clock back further. TVA, anyone? CCC?

I haven’t even gotten to Judy’s outfit! I almost typed “ensemble” but we don’t know what she’s wearing below the screen. Far be it from me to speculate. All above-the-belt. This is a family blog.

I remember this dress (?) from the pre-COVID days. I heart it. Maybe not her best colors but we can’t blame her for that. For the longest time, I thought black was my answer, but I”m no longer certain. That said, I am digging the oversized (to me) pearl earrings. They work with this.

Judy pummeled Lamar Alexander in his bunker-cum-Civil War museum about why the U.S. has 84,000 deaths compared to South Korea’s roughly 300. How is she so sharp every day? Back in the pre-COVID days, she’d take time for heself and give John Yang (of the purple ties) a turn, but not in this crisis. She knows we need her. What will happen come summer, when DC heads for the Delaware shore? Stay tuned…

After several good days, we were in for a letdown. I will say that Judy’s hair looks softer around her face, which flatters her, but how many times must I write about burgundy or whatever shade this is? (See, e.g., May 8 post.) It would be one thing if Judy had but a few outfits which she repeated on a short rotation. No, she has many burgundy tops.

Come on, woman.

Dear husband noticed that a spring arrangement of lilies and roses replaced the tasteful white bunch she had in the vase to her left (our right) before. Mother’s Day gift? I wonder. Dear Commenter Mary noted that the (coin-bank) globe is still to Judy’s right (our left), so the world hasn’t been turned upside-down, so to speak.

These are super-drop earrings. I don’t mean they are super, drop earrings. I don’t love them. I counted six parts on each earring. They practically brush her shoulders.

During the two excellent interviews Judy did tonight, she gestured with her hands, her dear little hands, and I noticed that she is not doing or having her nails done. You go. I also noticed what I’m pretty sure was a Bic clear Stik pen from the old days. I love those. It’s a change from the flair-tip (holy cow, how many hyphens can one posting sustain?) markers she uses in the studio. Remember the studio? I hardly do.

She really gave Sen. Bill Cassidy the business. I couldn’t understand his responses, and neither could she, but Judy didn’t stop trying. Respect.

Respect also not just for Sen. Patty Murray’s responses to Judy’s questions but for the beautiful cabinetry in the senator’s home. She’s from Washington State, so perhaps the wood was harvested from local – sustainable – forests? Check these out, baby:

Really fine craftsmanship and nice hardware, if we’re allowed to say that on PBS.

Until tomorrow…

First of all, nice picture, me! Second, did anyone notice whether the mini-globe that used to be in the shot, to the left of “The Soul of America,” is still there? It seems to have disappeared.

But to Judy’s neckline. Love it. Love the tiny scalloping. Paired with the midnight blue of the silk dress (?) shirt (?), it doesn’t look frowsy. The color also works with her new shade of hair, and of course, those arresting blue eyes.

How many drop earrings does Judy have? These are translucent blue. I guess it works, IF you think that drop earrings belong in the workplace at all.

I must revert to a comment in an earlier post, where I said I admired Judy for her necklines. Do you remember the Nora Ephron book, “I Feel Bad About My Neck?” I do:

Well, Judy doesn’t.

That’s really big, for you non-females out there. The first edition of Ephron’s book had a picture of the author with a turtleneck pulled up to her mouth. I felt like that today when, wearing what I thought was a sporty long-sleeved-t, I prepared for a Zoom meeting by checking my look in the computer’s camera. That might have been an error. My neck was all spotty and wrinkly, pretty much like anyone’s my age.

Judy has likely had work done above the neck but that is absolutely BEYOND the scope of this blog – off-limits – but I have always read that the neck doesn’t lie. That makes it all the better that this beauty bares her neck for all to see, every damn day.

80,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. and unemployment is at the highest level since the Great Depression. but, as The Onion put it, “Experts Warn Unemployment Rate Could Soon Rise To America Is The Greatest Country In The World.” The whole piece is worth reading, so click on the article’s title.

So the burgundy rollneck. This style has a respectable history. I have two J. Crew (RIP J. Crew) rollnecks from approximately 1988. They have been handy during this crazy spring quarantine season. J. Crew made solid sweaters. No kidding. Here’s one:

I give Judy the nod. Hers looks to have the neck rolled in, not out. A tube-neck?

It’s been a log week. We’re up to 77,000 dead from coronavirus and that wasn’t the lead story. Unemployment is at 14.7% and many are saying it’s much worse. That’s the highest unemployment since the Great Depression for those of you keeping score. So, it’s OK to wear a comfort sweater. I would have gone with pearl studs, but she loves the ruby (-colored at least) drops. Speaking of red, she seems to have toned down the strawberry in her strawberry-blonde ‘do.

Shields and Brooks! I love you guys. I used to hate Brooks, but his disappointment (I searched for the right word here) with this administration is so palpable I can’t help but love him, even in his narrow Willy Wonka-striped digs.

I am frankly concerned that Mark Shields, my darling man, is sinking. Witness two photos, just minutes apart:

Holy shit. Mark. MARK! Did Judy have to throw him a line? Damn Brooks is in Royal Oak, nowhere near Chevy Chase. Where the fuck is Judy? Help him out, woman!

Judy, lean this way! You KILLED it today!

Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like on
A-Jupiter and Mars,

In other words, wear a smashing sweater set and diamond clips!

I love it love it love it. Vertical stripes (not that horizontal ones would make Judy look fat). Red, black and blue! Black and blue because the country has been battered by 33,000,000 jobs lost? 75,000 deaths from COVID-19? Maybe not.

She just wanted to knock it out of the park. I think it’s for us, dear readers. Also, is that globe to the left a piggy bank? I digress…

She looks smashing, that’s it. So perfect for at-home broadcasting, the sweater set. Not too casual, thanks to the stripes and the black, but not silly, like a double-breasted jacket. Upon reflection, I don’t think I have ever seen Judy sport a double-breasted jacket. Those might have gone out with Don Johnson in Miami Vice. At least, I hope they did. I admit to wearing my share in the ’80s.

See how that pulls across the body, even with his girlish waist and pleated pants. His hair reminds me of a bizarre article I read in the Times online yesterday about Val Kilmer. Same hairstyle, but different career path.

Back to Judy. I bet a dollar those are real pave diamonds. How does one insert an accent aigu I ask you? Anyway, great choice. If she were on her B game, she would have dragged out the silver-and-black drop earrings, but no, she cares about US, dear reader!

Judy, Judy, Judy! Look at you! You saved me from the slough of despond today! You dialed it up several notches! Here I was, fearful I’d tune in to you in a Snuggie today. No, it’s a fetching combo: a silk, single-button blue blazer (Royal?) with a textured cornflower shell underneath. So perfect with your eyes!

And what’s that I spy? Studs! Yes! Some lovely chunky silver things.

She’s as fresh as a House intern on the Hill, as lovely as a law student going for that first internship with the white-shoe firm, as crisp as a Braeburn apple in October…

OK, I jumped the shark (who doesn’t like a Happy Days reference) with that last one.

You did it! Thank you!

Two days until Shields and Brooks, but who’s counting?