If NBC talking head David Gregory, the moderator of last night's US Senate debate between Republican Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren, did not watch a recording of the first debate, then shame on him for being lazy. WBZ's Jon Keller, the first time around, admirably covered what Gregory wasted a good 20 minutes of valuable air time probing.

Let's be clear on one thing: The last time I attempted to play badminton was in the backyard of the Tell household down the street about 10 years ago. It didn't go well then, and it probably wouldn't go well now. But one thing I was able to do was hit the shuttlecock over the net, maintain a decent rally, and play with some semblance of dignity.

Four years ago, I sat in my room in Los Angeles and contemplated the boatloads of work I had to organize before 7:30 the next morning. It was 2:00 am. Desperate for something to help me stay awake, I flicked on my small, remote-less television and commenced watching live coverage of the Beijing Olympics. What a joy -- the ability to watch live, world-class athletic events at an ungodly hour of the morning, when I was actually determined to stay conscious for at least another two hours.