As the Strib’s resident TV critic, I don’t like to venture much into the world of politics, unless it’s something really important like: Ginger or Mary Ann? (For the record, Mary Ann, hands down). But I can’t help notice that we’re this presidential election has offered us a groundbreaking opportunity: Four finalists that appear to have a decent sense of humor.

I’m exploring that idea more in depth in Thursday’s column and I hope you’ll weigh in with your thoughts. You’ve got to agree that the jokes are a lot better than the “wit” that flew between George Bush and John Kerry the last time around.

You may think that the ability to tell a good joke is pretty low on the list of prioirities, but I’ve always found that people with a good sense of humor tend to be better leaders. (Abraham Lincoln was the sharpest wit the White House has ever had and we went and named a holiday after him).

Which politicans have or currently make you laugh - for the right reasons, of course…. 

TRIO, a cable network that three subscribers get on the outskirts of Fridley, occasionally runs a series called “Brilliant but Cancelled,” paying tribute to shows that got the axe before their time. “Jericho” was almost a member of that club. Thanks to an Internet campaign, the show returns next Tuesday (for details on how they did it, see my Sunday column in the A&E section).

Truthfully, I wouldn’t have been heartbroken if “Jericho” hadn’t returned. Not that it’s a bad show. It’s just that I’ve shed too many tears for other worthwhile fare that got no respect.

At the top of the list has to be 1996’s “EZ Streets” on CBS. It was created by some TV hack named Paul Haggis, who would later go on to do “Crash” and “Million Dollar Baby.” But when it came to this series, he only got a handful of shows on the air. What I saw was amazing. I had just started covering TV and this was one of the first shows I reviewed. Call it puppy love, but it promised everything that “The Sopranos” would later deliver on: A charasmatic mob leader, crooked cops, shattered families, great music and cutting dialogue.

It was network TV at its edgiest and most sophisticated - so naturally it got dumped. Check out it  out if you can find it on DVD.

What’s on the top of your brilliant-but-cancelled list? 

This Sunday’s column is all about “Happy Days” - and the fact that a whole new generation know very little about Arnold’s Diner and the pain of being told to “sit on it.”

More about that in the column. For those of us who grew up with Richie & the gang, we have our favorite moments for the series that will stay with us all our lives. Here are five episodes that I consider the most memorable. Feel free to share your own memories:

1) “Fonzie Moves In” (Feb. 26, 1974): Fonz was a satelitte character that first season, but his popularity grew rapidly, so much so that ABC considered renaming the series, “Fonzie’s Happy Days.” (star Ron Howard balked at the idea and it was dropped). I think the turning point for Winkler and the show was this early episode in which the Fonz returns to school and considers cheating. The episode included the Fonz’s first meal with the Cunninghams and, if I’m not mistaken, it includes a scene where he’s yelling at some girl outside to show some respect while they’re eating (someone correct me if I’m wrong). Not sure of the episode, but that moment may be the show’s funniest in it’s 10-year run.

2) “They Shoot Fonzies, Don’t They?” (Nov. 16, 1976): The first season made tons of references to the 50s, a trademark the show made less and less as it went on, but in this episode, there’s a tip of the hat to dance marathons, a big deal in that decade, with Fonzie teaming up with Joanie to try to upend a rival cheerleader (played by Charlene Tilton). Fonzie, exhausted from pushing his bike 12 miles, rises to the occasion in a dance-off featuring something called “The Kasatsky.” The coolest.

3) “Richie Fights Back” (Oct. 14, 1975): Jeff Conaway, who would later rise to fame in “Taxi” and then drop to pathetic in “Celebrity Rehab,” plays a bully who forces Richie into a corner. He tries to learn martial arts, but when that fails he stages an intimidation scene with a jacket that rivals the physical comedy of Buster Keaton.

4) “The Last of the Big Time Malphs” (March 22, 1977): Donny Most was supposed to get the role of Potsie, but at the last minute, producers went to Anson Williams. The second-place prize was Ralph Malph, always the stooge who got the least attention. Too bad. He could be great as a sort of teenage version of Eddie Haskell. This is his best performance as he gets in over his head in a gambling scene and fears big-time retaliation. The final scene with his father, played by Jack Dodson, is touching and hilarious.

5) ”A Shot in the Dark”: Fathers and sons are key to this episode as well, especially the ending. Richie unexpectantly becomes a school star after sinking the winning basket in a big basketball game. He flubs a chance to be the hero the following week and is consoled by his father (the wonderful Tom Bosley) who offers him a Life Saver. Great moment, great relationship. 

I’m a little tardy in this post welcoming thoughts on who is doing the best job in covering the presidential campaign. Sue me.

I was too wrapped up in Saturday’s coverage of the South Carolina primary. I mostly watched MSNBC, since I’ve somewhat ignored it in the past. Love Keith Olbermann as a commentator but he has something to be desired as an anchor. I loved it when he kept saying that MSNBC was only going to say Obama had one by a “significant” amount, but then kept quoting AP as using the world “rout.”

But we’re not going to use that word! Uh, can’t have it both ways, Keith. Here are some comments sent to be by e-mail on my Sunday column:

Tom Brokaw is the the best commentator going. I wish he was still anchoring. I agree, of those anchoring the news today the best is Brian Williams.

In second place is Wolf Blitzer on CNN. He seems the most neutral appearing commentator and thus has gotten most of my viewing time.

The comedy guys are all good. Most MSNBC commentators are blatant about their desire for Obama, although they may not say it, their slant on things is definitely anti-Hillary.

Example: When Hillary said the President has to be ready on day one, she cited what happened to Prime Minister Brown of England on his first day in office. This was an actual fact! Keith Oberman said that she was playing the “Fear Card” However, when Obama said independents and republicans will vote for him but not for Hillary (something he believes but is not yet fact), which to me is a “Fear Card” (the dems will only win if I’m the candidate) Mr. Oberman had nothing to say.

Evidently Obama can’t possibly play a “Fear Card.” I am still amazed at how poorly they handle interviewing women candidates. They are overly aggressive (so they don’t appear to be condescending). They play around with the men joking about sports or something but they are all business with women.

The comedy guys get it right but Russert and at times Oberman can’t just sit back and enjoy interviewing Hillary (or for that matter Pelosi or other women politicans). When Russert had Hillary on Meet the Press recently he looked like he was in extreme pain (it reminded me of the first time my husband had a kidney stone attack.)

Lighten up guys. It is O.K. to have fun with the ladies, too. None of the commentators picked up on how condescending Obama’s statement and actions were when he said “You’re likeable enough, Hillary” as he was looking away fiddling with papers during the New Hampshire debate.

I noticed none of the other men on stage came to Hillary’s defense and that was because they know well enough that she can take care of herself just as well as any of them could. She wasn’t a damsel in distress needing a knight in shining armour to come to her rescue with a comment like Obama’s.

I think Obama showed his true self at that time.

Don’t even get me started on the Fox political commentators who live in a parallel universe.

I agree with some of your picks for “Best TV ” personalities, but I strongly disagree with one of your choices. Bill Schneider. A word to the wise…don’t “leave the math to Bill Schneider”. Bill has been wrong on several occasions regarding his figures. Have you done your homework on his accuracy?

There is a “reportcard” on the accuracy of his facts. Not so much praise for ol’ Bill. Bill’s “trusting face and son-of-a-gun demeanor” have been good to him, and have enhanced his credibility over the years.

Check it out.

My column on Britney Spears that ran Tuesday morning triggered quite a bit of reaction from readers Two things that surprised me: People really do feel bad about what’s happened to her and, second, people have a very difficult time spelling her name. I’m sharing some e-mails I got (without their names).

Feel free to add your own thoughts: I liked your Britney story. I have been unhealthily obsessed with her. Obsessed. I’m not proud, but that TMZ makes it too juicy. Thank you for your sensitive piece on Britney Spears–it increasingly seems that she is grappling with a mental illness, making her story more personal for the 1 in 5 Americans whose lives are affected by such things.

I look forward to the Star Tribune using her newsmaking escapades as teachable moments. Maybe somebody could interview a HCMC psychiatrist to learn what he/she would advise if your adult child were acting this way? Maybe an article on “steps to take if a loved one has a mental healthcrisis?”

Maybe something on early warning signs of mental illness? Thanks again for your humane treatment of what is looking less like a spectacle and more like a tragedy. Here’s hoping that Britney’s story leads to more people getting the help they need. You are finally someone with sense and truthful about her disease. It’s not funny it’s sad. I can’t understand why she isn’t getting help on a mandatory basis for potential harm to herself. I hope she gets help before it’s too late, and I hope I stop hearing it on our own radio stations as gossip.

Thank you for being bold, Thank you, thank you for today’s column. I was hoping someone somewhere would write what you did. I am beyond being annoyed with Jay Leno and his continuing Spears’ jokes. Mental illness and obesity are probably the last two character types people feel comfortable making fun of.

Maybe it is because people tend to joke about subjects they fear. I am a retired Minneapolis prosecutor who has seen more than enough mental illness in the courtroom, both defendants and crime victims. Oft times the presence of the mental illness is not recognized by the individual who has it, and thus does not receive effective treatment for it.

Several recent news stories here in the Twin Cities strongly suggest undiagnosed mental illness:

1. 19 year-old man pursued by police at speeds exceeding 100 mph, collided with parked police auto on I-494. Why was he speeding so late at night when the trooper first saw him?

2. Maplewood man who left his child in minivan outside Wisconsin strip club when he told wife he was going to grocery store. Days later he admitted to having trouble with alcohol and had relapsed in its abuse. That is likely only a small part of the story. What are the underlying reasons he first started to abuse alcohol?

3. The college students who drink themselves to death. This is much more than binge drinking. Most binge drinkers are in the library the next morning, studying. Yet, a sad few are still partying and drinking still the next morning. Add? ADHD? Bipolar disease?

Some of the questions that immediately come to mind. These stories are probably beyond your news beat. Please forward these ideas to an editor or to a journalist willing to dig and tell us the underlying story. K

Keep sharing your craft with us! Rather than hound the crisis-bound performer, the media could use her story to educate others on mental illness. Again, thank you so much for your compassionate column today. It is obvious that Ms. Spears’s mental health is not good and her hospitalization -involuntary - simply supports the view that she most likely has a mental illness. I cannot imagine that the hounding is at helpful to her on her road to recovery. When Owen Wilson attempted suicide, the media left him alone and gave him time to heal. At the very least this opportunity should be given to Brittany. The subtitle of your article in this morning’s paper captures it all. Britney Spears is the bleeding body in a river of piranha. It’s hard to believe that her saga will have a happy outcome: Where can she go that she’d be safe and properly cared for? I hope your article is distributed widely and, better yet, heeded. Thank you for the piece regarding Britany Spears in this morning’s paper. I have been increasingly sickened by the coverage of her unfolding crisis. One angle of coverage that could be a public service, in addition to educating about mental illness and addiction, is to consider what happens to children (especially babies and toddlers) when a parent is mentally ill, addicted. The system seems to have operated reasonably well for her children - it’s not always the case. Thanks again. I hope (and assume) you are sincere in your concern for Britney Spears. The fact that you find it necessary to mention her “terrible” parenting and lack of what you consider talent does sound a bit political, as in talking out of both sides of your mouth, but the suggestion that we lose our obsession for her and others in similar situations, and that we say a prayer for her, gives me hope that your sincerity is perhaps intact after all, and I want to think that is the case. I will never say I have not been guilty of criticizing her or others such as Paris Hilton and the “gang”, but I agree it is time to stop. It also may be time for the bigger lesson of laying off the REST of the celebrities, and in making confused children such as her and her younger sister into “role models”, then slamming them when they “let us down”. Perhaps it does make some of us feel better about ourselves to see famous folks “screwing it up”, but that makes it all the more tragic, doesn’t it? Maybe we just all need to pray more, not just for Britney, but for ourselves. Take care.Very timely article (and I agree with you on all points) — this renews my very wavering faith the American journalistic system (one that I feel the tabloids have utterly abused). Thanks again. I’m not a celeb follower, but I feel genuinely bad for Britney. It’s a sad statement on society. I can’t agree with you more, I get the impression that we’re all standing around watching her death throws but unwilling to do anything. If this ends in tragedy, we will have to look at our collective selves in the mirror and be ashamed that we did not pull together to save this girl from the wolves that are the Hollywood element. We should be stepping up to save one of our own, and I mean that in the human being sense. The only thing she knows is that everybody wants a piece, even the people who seemingly want to help her (Dr. Phil). She needs to leave Hollywood and go somewhere private to get her life together. However, I get the impression she thinks she can beat the critics by being rebellious. Her actions have young woman rebellion written all over, however, the circumstances are extreme. Anyways, It’s nice to see you stepped up and said something. I hope this trend continues and average people embrace her as one of their own and circle the wagons. I just read your article about Britney Spears, published in the StarTribune. If the public would stop pestering Britney, let her alone for a while, let her get the help she so desperately needs, she might just survive this. If not, I see her meeting a tragic demise. Those little boys will never know what kind of mom they had. She’s been driven to this, between the paparazzi and the fame. I don’t know how anyone can deal with the constant camera flashes, the people hounding them for a word, a look. I am so glad I’m just a “nobody”, living in my little house, way out in the toolies. You have hit the cord. She is definetly has a mental disorder which must be treated. How? I don’t know but your article will alert people as to her problem and seek to help the young girl. Great column. I’m 62, and don’t really understand a lot of the pop culture stuff. But, you are right. This is way more than the typical who’s sleeping with who, who got arrested for DWI, who’s wearing underwear drivel. Hopefully, your industry colleagues (and your readers) will treat this as serious business. Where is her help? Where is her support? Thanks.Thank you for the words you shared in your article. Please be assured that for those of us who are aware of the pain associated with mental illness , there are many prayers going out for Britney Spears already. I hope readers will take to heart what you have said. Thanks for using journalism in such a good way.As the parent of a 33 year old man with schizophrenia, I’d like to thank you for your very accurate article aboaut Britney Spears in this morning’s paper. This is certainly someone spiraling out of control and it is tragic that she is not receiving the help she so badly needs. Thank you again for stressing the mental health aspect of her situation. Perhaps this will open a much needed dialogue about mental illness. Hello - I’d virtually just read your article about Britney Spears, reading that her obituary has already been written “just in case.” Moments later I saw Heath Ledger, age 26, had died. Last night I watched “My Own Private Idaho” for thi first time( most deceptively written story synopsis in recorded history, except the” Hotel New Hampshire’s billing as a warm family comedy”) and was realizing that River Phoenix died of overdoses so young..and 24 hours later, another is dead. Neal, I don’t think I have a point. Britney looks like she will be the “next Anna Nicole Smith.”, is such a tragic and public manner. One image from Spears’ being removed from her home and put into the ambulance was that of vampire photogs holding cameras and video cams up to the window of the ambulance as it was starting to drive away. That goes beyond the bounds of any decency, and one would hope (and be wrong, obviously) well beyond the public need to know and the photog’s paycheck. As with Princess Diana’s being hunted to death, Spears’ life may end this way, too. Thanks for listening. I am a big fan of your writing and I almost always agree with you (except for Greys Anatomy - what is that all about?). I also figure that you must have good taste because I have seen you at a couple of concerts over the years (Josh Ritter, Joe Henry). Great article today on Britney. I was someone who found her ‘antics’ funny at first, but as she has gone off the deep end I have gained a lot of sympathy for her, and I really wish someone would just help that girl - someone other than Dr Phil. Who would have thought that we would be talking about K-Fed as the responsible parent. As a parent, I feel for her kids - I really do. I hope someone steps up to help them. Don’t even get me started on the mother - and to think, she was going to write a book about parenting - what a joke. In other sad news - which I have yet to see on your website - Heath Ledger was found dead today in an apparent suicide. We like to think that these young folks with lots of money have it all - but it is obvious that they don’t. Too bad. Anyway - keep up the great work! I always enjoy reading your articles.I very much agreed with your article today, and what timing (yes, I know, unplanned) to have it appear the day Heath Ledger died “surrounded by pills.”I have just completed reading your article about Britney Spears and I must say I am so happy to see someone in the media finally seeing that this girl is going through hell and all we are doing is pointing and laughing. I hope to see more articles like this but I fear that US Weekly and People just don’t give a damn.

I fell out of love with AMC a few years back when they started running commercials in the middle of their films and began considering such fare as “Fletch Lives” as a “classic.” But I’m head over heels all over again, thanks to a one-two punch in their original programming department. First, there was “Mad Men.” I’ll  admit I’m not as goo goo ga ga about it as others and I certainly wouldn’t have graced it with a Golden Globe for best drama. But, gosh darn it, it such is purty. And it’s got style. I feel cooler just watching it.

Now there’s “Breaking Bad.” I’ve got a full review in Sunday’s A&E section. I’ll tell you right here that it’s the best drama pilot I’ve seen since “Damages” got started - and you know how good that turned out. I’ve got high hopes for it.

AMC still isn’t HBO’s class - but then neither is HBO. It may still be the premier destination for great TV, but Showtime and FX are catching up fast. Is anyone else keeping up with them? USA is too hit and miss. Thoughts? I’m especially interested to know if you love “Breaking Bad” as much as I do…