The Mudflats

(L-R) John Bitney, Shannyn Moore, Anne Kilkenny, Andrew Halcro

Tonight I attended the taping of Moore Up North, and what an interesting evening it was. All I have to say is tune in on Saturday (KYES Channel 5 at 4pm) and buckle your seat belts. If your couch did not come with seat belts you have two days to get some, and install them.

One of the hazards in writing a bunch of untrue and mean things about people in a book is that those people will decide that maybe they don’t like it very much. And maybe when they have an opportunity to tell their stories, and say what they think of you, they will.

The panelists were part of the Under the Bus crowd that got slammed by Sarah Palin in her new book Going Rogue. Andrew Halcro “the effete young chap” who ran against her for governor in 2006 was there, and told us that “under the bus” is the new “on the bus.” Insightful and hilariously funny, Halcro fans will not be disappointed.

Anne Kilkenny, known in the book as “the Wasilla town crank” and a “Birkenstock-granola” type with a flower behind her ear was there too. Kilkenny was the author of the email about Sarah Palin that went viral in the first days after her nomination. Delightfully self-effacing, and with a great sense of humor, Ann showed up with a bag of granola, a flower behind her ear… and a crank.

And finally, the coup de grace from the Death Panel is John Bitney, long time close friend of Palin and a member of the inner circle until they had a falling out. Palin eviscerates him in the book and describes him as “not being able to keep food off his tie,” and addicted to Blackberry games. He talked about how Sarah Palin had potential and squandered it. This is someone who is coming from a place of a very personal sense of betrayal. He had a powerful moment when he said, “I have had enough. The rules of engagement have changed.” His commentary throughout the show is remarkable. You won’t want to miss it.

And of course, Shannyn Moore was wonderfully funny and guided the show with great skill, right down to the last segment which included questions on index cards from the audience. One of the questions – “Is Sarah Palin sane?” You’ll have to tune in for the answers from the panel.

**The full show and short clips will be available on YouTube.  I will have them posted for you as soon as they become available.  Send warm thoughts to the editing crew!**