How good was Neil Patrick Harris as host of the Emmy Awards on Sunday? So good that some of the award winners were praising the master of ceremonies before they thanked their publicists. Now that’s Hollywood respect! In the spirit of the unstoppable N.P.H., RedEye hands out some awards to this week’s newsmakers.
BEST LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW GUEST
President Obama
The commander in chief parked himself next to David Letterman on Monday. When Letterman asked if criticism about Obama’s agenda is race-related, Obama quipped, “It’s important to realize that I was actually black before the election.” Hey-yo!
BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
The Republican Party
GOP lawmakers in Washington use Twitter far more than their Democratic counterparts, according to a study released Wednesday by the Congressional Research Service. Republicans out-tweeted Dems 760-427 during a two-week period in July and August, the report said.
BEST LEADING MAN IN A DRAMA
Robbie Gould
The clutch kicker booted a 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds left Sunday to give the Bears a 17-14 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
BEST EXCUSE TO GET NAKED
French factory workers
Fifteen men at a struggling gas heater factory in Ploufragan, France, posed nude for a calendar to call attention to their plight as dropping demand has put their jobs in peril. The beefcake calendar sold 2,000 copies at roughly $10 each in its first three days.
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HEALTH INSURANCE BY THE NUMBERS
Census data released this week revealed that where someone lives makes a difference in whether or not that person has health insurance, The Associated Press reported. Here are some of the stats from 2008.
4.1
Percentage of uninsured residents in Massachusetts, the nation’s lowest.
12.8
Percentage of uninsured residents in Illinois, which ranks the state 23rd.
24.1
Percentage of uninsured residents in Texas, the nation’s highest.
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Heat index
RedEye takes the temperature of current events
Olympic bid countdown
Less than a week to go!
Old CTA rail cars
New ones ready in 2011
Cabbies want raises
And $50 vomit penalties
U. of I. scandal
President resigning
Bacon cocktails
Not like protein shakes
Suspended Cub
Game over, Milton Bradley
