THE LEFT COAST REPORT
A Political Look at Hollywood

Interestingly, the newly released book by Edward Klein, "The Truth About Hillary: What She Knew, When She Knew It, and How Far She'll Go to Become President," leaves no one on the fence. 

Liberal editorials rant about how the former editor of the New York Times' Sunday Magazine, former Newsweek staffer and contributor to Vanity Fair has now shed his Dem credentials and joined the "vast right-wing conspiracy."

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For example, Tina Brown christened Klein "Ed Slime" and referred to the book as "bio-porn."

(As an aside, Klein responded to the New York Post by labeling Brown a "has-been.")

Negative comments on the book have actually come from some folks that we might have expected to be more supportive of a Hillary polemic, like Peggy Noonan, Bill O'Reilly and John Podhoretz.

But Noonan was concerned that the book would "tend to inoculate her [Hillary] against future and legitimate criticism and revelations."

Podhoretz dubbed the book "one of the most sordid volumes I've ever waded through."

And O'Reilly refused to bring Klein on "The Factor," placing the book in the same category as Kitty Kelley's blast at the president's clan ("The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty").

Meanwhile my colleague, Carl Limbacher, recently reported that a politically motivated media blackout has been directed at Klein.

If you're like me, you feel as if you're having a déjà vu.

That's because in the back of our minds there's a memory of a similar media response that took place not too long ago over another book. That one was called "Unfit for Command."

The Left Coast Report hopes Klein's book gives Hillary the same assist that "Unfit" gave to Kerry.
 

 Al Roker Piles on Tom Cruise

The now infamous "Today" show appearance of Tom Cruise, where Matt Lauer ticked off the actor by challenging the attacks he had made on the use of prescription antidepressants, ended up giving the NBC morning program some much needed buzz in the A.M. ratings war.

The normally top-rated morning show has had ABC's "Good Morning America" nipping at its heels of late, and the controversial exchange may have provided a ratings boost for NBC.

During the segment, Cruise's usual smiley face transformed as he raised his voice, leaned forward in his chair and pointed angrily at Lauer.

Cruise charged Couric's counterpart with being "glib" and said he should be "a little bit more responsible."

"Today" weatherman Al Roker offered some non-meteorological commentary on the Cruise appearance.

"Just as we should shut up about wondering if Tom's relationship with Katie Holmes is a publicity stunt, Tom oughta pipe down about people he doesn't know about situations he hasn't experienced," Roker wrote on the "Today" Web site. "You're an actor, not a med student."

The Left Coast Report says, Hey, Roker, you're a weather forecaster, not a commentator.
 

 Martha Stewart Musical

What does it mean for a celeb when he or she gets sprung from prison?

Well, for Martha Stewart it means a talk show, a reality show, a made-for-TV movie and a musical.

Beginning Sept. 12, Stewart will host a daily talk show on NBC.

She's also set to appear in a prime-time spin-off of "The Apprentice."

Additionally, CBS has announced that the on-again, off-again Martha Stewart movie, "Martha: Behind Bars," is on-again for the fall schedule.

And to cap it off, there's now a Martha Stewart Broadway-style musical.

"Martha! The Unauthorized Musical" is a bio of one "Martha Blake," who rises to become the "doyenne of domesticity," co-writer John Ekizian, tells the New York Post.

Musical Martha ends up doing ballet with Julia Child and getting advice from Aunt Jemima.

The Left Coast Report wouldn't be surprised if a Dick Durban musical is in the works, with the Illinois senator doing a jig with Jim McDermott and getting Elvis hairstyling tips from Kim Jong-il.
 

'The Da Vinci Code' Load

Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" is sparking a lot of controversy because of its distortions about the history of Christianity, fantasies concerning the messianic bloodline and supposed iconography embedded in the paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Predictably, Hollywood has jumped at the chance to assail the Gospels and is making a film out of Brown's novel.

Tom Hanks will star in and Ron Howard will direct the cinematic version of the book.

According to a poll conducted by the National Geographic Channel in Canada, where almost 20 percent of the population has read "The Da Vinci Code," people are more than willing to accept fiction as fact.

A third of those surveyed who had read the novel believe there are descendants of Jesus who are alive today and that a secret society exists that's dedicated to keeping Jesus' bloodline hush-hush.

The Left Coast Report hears that the studios have a special product just for marketing to the Great White North - a tin foil hat with fur-lined earmuffs.
 

Pro-life Hip Hop

In an age where many rappers write lyrics that glorify crime and degrade women, Nick Cannon is taking the road less traveled: the edifying one.

Cannon's new single, "Can I Live," is one of the most life-affirming works ever to be released by a commercial label.

Through the lyrics and images of the music video, Cannon conveys gratitude to his mom for walking out of an abortion clinic and choosing to let him live.

The video features R&B stylist Anthony Hamilton (former backup vocalist for 2Pac and Eve) and actress Tatyana Ali (Will Smith's cousin Ashley Banks in "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.")

Also in the video is a chorus of children, who wear T-shirts with the song title emblazoned across their chests as they sing the same words, asking "Can I Live?"

The song places the listener at an abortion clinic where Cannon's mom, two months pregnant with him, is preparing to have an abortion. He appears as a kind of spiritual time traveler and sings to his young mother, "Mommy, I don't like this clinic, hopefully you'll make the right decision."

Ultimately, his mother chooses to be the gateway of life for her son. 

The song ends with a poignant scene showing Cannon embracing his mom, thanking her and expressing his love for the gift of life.

The Left Coast Report expects that even if rap doesn't normally float your boat this one is likely to give you a lift. You can check it out at www.nickcannonmusic.com.