Palin on Oprah: More Sarah, less 'Cuda

Just finished the DVR -- here are some notes in rough chronological order for what turned out to be a surprisingly dull interview, thanks to Oprah Winfrey.

A. Most of my exposure to Oprah consists of South Park characterizations, but she had a stick up her ass the whole time.

Palin wanted to engage and get along, but O seemed to think faux-solemnity could compensate for softball questions and turn this into -- as O redundantly called the Couric interview -- a "seminal, defining" event.

B. Palin said she was worried about the "D" she got in college and that's it? Too cutesy.

C. Just like at her recent pro-life events, her answer on abortion was admirably candid. Emotionally-honest and, to an extent, politically-risky, since it eschews easy characterizations. Points.

D. She has such a killer smile.

E. Her cadence is like a Czerny finger exercise with a faulty metronome. She doesn't hold a candle to Reagan.

F. Interesting how simpatico Palin's been recently with Hillary. It shows how female candidates bond (and how much less toxic the Clinton name has become).

G. Even when Palin takes responsibility (for the Couric interview), she doesn't take responsibility (for the Couric interview).

H. It's "Neander-TAL"; not "Neander-Thal". Anyone who watches Monster Quest on Discovery Channel would know this. She doesn't read the NY Times or watch Monster Quest. Clearly unqualified.

I. Tyra Banks needs to replace Oprah, but Tyra has to first figure out if it's "healthy" to have a natural figure or "healthy" to unveil a new, skinnier self.

F. She was passive/aggressive on Levi, as she is on a lot of things. She said "I really don't want to comment on it" sandwiched between Ricky Hollywood talk and Levi's naivety. But that's typical pol. Why is it that No Comment only means No Comment when someone's in legal trouble?

G. She said Bristol's pregnancy would "show realism in a normal American family". Yeah, but countercultural deviance in a liberal American family.

H. They just ran some informal clips. She comes across much better in those than in formal sit-downs or speeches. With Obama, it's the exact opposite. He's drier than Ben Stein's eyes in the candid moments, but effortless behind a podium.

I. She still doesn't have a politically-viable answer for why she resigned. From a personal point of view, you can understand it, but from a political point of view, it doesn't work.

Overall: Palin helped herself, but as I said, if Oprah had been more engaging (like a talk show host should be), it could have been much better. Can you imagine Ellen i/viewing Palin? Or Conan? That would rock the house, and bring out a more natural Palin. She might get in trouble for doing a flippant show, but if she scheduled it around a Gibson or two, it would be all right.