Paul LaRosa/Here is New York

What would Don Draper do?

With my new book"Seven Days of Rage" coming out Tuesday, September 15^th,  the same day as Dan Brown's follow-up to "The DaVinci Code," I knew I had a marketing problem. So I thought to myself, what would Don Draper do? So, at least in my dreams, I went to see dapper Don of AMC's "Mad Men" fame.

Draper ushered me into his office at Sterling, Cooper, and walked over to his bar.

"What are you drinking?" he asked.

"It's 10 in the morning, Don." (continue reading...)

"I never watch TV!" Yeah, right....

One of the things that I find particularly irksome is meeting people who, after I tell them what I do, are happy to proclaim that they NEVER watch television. If I had a dollar for every person who told me "I never watch television," I'd be rich.

Two things about that:

-- First off, television is the only medium where people are proud to tell you they hate it. You never hear anyone say "I never go to the museum" or "I never read a book" but those same people (who probably never go to museums or read books) are happy to tell you that they never, ever watch TV.

-- I know they're lying but just saying that makes them feel somehow important or superior. And that's okay. As Elton John and John Lennon said, "Whatever gets you through the night.."

That's why I was so happy when I recently turned in my old cable boxes for ones with DVR which basically means I can now record any program and watch it when I like. While I was waiting on this very long line with people doing the same thing, everyone was talking about how much they liked TV!! and couldn't wait to get this or that new service. These people were bragging about having 52" HD televisions and no one was pouting about how much they hate TV. I found it so refreshing to be among my people!!

DVR has changed my life. I love it and cannot believe I waited so long to get it. More on that another time.

Paul

Guilty pleasure....

Okay, I'll admit it. I watch "Real Housewives of Orange County" on Bravo TV and love it. I know I should be more high-minded but I can't resist trashy TV at its finest. These women and their kids are not to be believed which is of course the attraction of the series. It just ended its first season and I can't wait until the next. It's rare that you can watch someone as empty and unaware as Jo for instance on television. Every time she says "I deserve the best. I'm worth it," I shout "Why?" at the television. Pathetic, yes, but so much more interesting than those fake desperate housewives. If you've never watched "Real housewives..." watch it on the endless reruns on Bravo. Now that HBO cancelled "Lucky Louie," my other favorite television program from the past, I reduced to watching reruns of "Real Housewives..." myself.

Paul

"48 Hours Mystery"

Saturday's CBS "48 Hours Mystery" on February 17th at 10 p.m. EST...

This is an hour I produced about a young woman named Christie Wilson who went to a casino for a night of gambling back in 2005. She walked out into the casino's parking lot around 1:15 a.m. with a man she'd met that night and was never seen again. The hour delves into who this mystery man was, who Christie Wilson was and the police investigation into finding and proving who killed her. A "fascinating" hour according to the Sacramento Bee so please watch!! And post your comments too. Thanks.

Paul