We’re having a debate this morning about homework.  Do your kids have too much?  Right amount?  You may have heard me say that I went to an elementary school that didn’t believe in homework — and I think I’m better for NOT having had any.  I had more free time to ride my bike, play with friends and practice piano (though I usually tried to get out of that) .  Thoughts?

An icon of our childhoods is sitting next to me…it’s Peter Brady!! I should probably stop actually calling him “Peter.” He’s being cool about it but he’d probably like us all to start using his real name, Chris. But it’s impossible because there he is! Peter Brady! That face and voice that were staples of my daily life growing up. Doesn’t he look just the same today as then? Check out these photos. Oh, and have I mentioned his stunning wife Adrianne? I didn’t? She’s the statuesque brunette in these pics.

Adrianne, Peter (I mean Chris!) and me

A shot of Chris and Adrianne being shot for a live shot for the tease (am I making any sense?) — notice the tv.

Did you just hear that harmonious homage to Gretchen at 7:45 this morning?  She’d complained earlier in the week that there were no songs written for Gretchen.  (I hate to bring this up but ”Alison” by Elvis Costello is one of the all-time great love songs).   So Joey Salvia composed a ditty for her.  Joey is Brian’s technical producer on his radio show and he has the uncanny ability to dash off funny ditties.  In case you missed it, here are the lyrics:

THE GRETCHEN SONG:

Gretchen, she likes spankin’,

sometimes Brian and her children too Gretchen, yes she’s fetchin’,

and like Rover she’s a girl too

There’ve been songs about girls,

Linda, Alison, Caroline, Peggy, Donna and Dawn

So i sing this sing-a-long for your attention

Yeah you’re fetchin’ ooh Gretchen

Gretchen I sing this for you

———————————————

And here’s another one that Joey didn’t sing on the show about Brian (please sing to the tune of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”)

THE BROWN HAIRED GUY’S X-MAS SONG

You know Gretchen and Hemmer and Megan and Courtney

Geraldo, Cavuto, O’Reilly and Gibby

But do you recall the most neglected one of them all

Brown-haired guy that’s not Steve Doocy

Isn’t it a crying shame he’s on fox every morning

still they cannot recall his name

Judge Andrew Napolitano laughs because he goes insane

Brown-haired guys who’s not Steve Doocy

behind that smile we can feel your pain

10 years working Fox & Friend all they ever say

brown-haired guy that’s a darned good wig

now is that a fair and balanced gig

Jon Stuart and Stephen Colbert

blame them for your misery

brown-haired guy who’s not Steve Doocy

well, it’s better then obscurity

You know the drill!  Watch it below and let me know what you think!

Hey, thanks for all your nice comments about Bon Jovi and the worthy work he’s doing to help turn around troubled blocks in inner cities. (see the comment section for my specific responses to each of you).

He says that what we see when he’s on stage is what he does to earn a living, the rest is what he does with his life. I got the computer whiz (Jonathan) to put my entire Bon Jovi segment below!

IMPORTANT SIDENOTE: Just got a reply from the woman who runs the Books for Soldiers organization that so many of you asked about. Here it is:

I would like to thank Brian for mentioning Booksforsoldiers on Fox & Friends. And also thank Brian, Steve and Alisyn for supporting Booksforsoldiers. They all have such big hearts for helping with our deployed men and women and I appreciate everything they have done for Booksforsoldiers. Thanks to them I have received so many packages for booksforsoldiers in the last week. I will personally thank each person who sent a book for the deployed military member with a Thank-You card. Your books will all go to Afghanistan and Iraq this Christmas. With the holidays coming we are seeing one of the largest increases in requests at Booksforsoldiers for Books, Dvds, Video Games, Music CD and Snacks. If you would like to participate we would love to have you join us. Keep Reading …

After the Show Show?  Well here’s a re-run!

I’m still basking in my Bon Jovi Glow from last night (wait, that doesn’t sound right).  Went to Philly yesterday afternoon to meet and interview Jon Bon Jovi.   He’s just helped build 13 houses there for working people who’ve struggled with homelessness.   I figured we’d instantly bond when I mentioned that we share a hometown in New Jersey.   (I imagined us arm and arm singing “take my hand and we’ll make it I swear.”)  But, oddly, he didn’t seem that impressed;  it seemed like maybe he’d heard that one before.  But his jaw DID drop in stunned amazement when I informed him that I am a proud graduate of the teeny tiny schoolhouse (only 50 kids from K- called The New School of Monmouth County from which his daughter just graduated as well.   We excitedly chatted about our favorite teacher (mine is still there!) and the unique experience our families had.  By the end of the shoot, Bon Jovi was my new BFF. 

But here’s the bad news:  there was an assembly-line of reporters waiting for my one-on-one interview with him to be done so they could get their crack.  Their evening newscast deadlines were fast approaching… his handlers were tapping their feet and checking their watches.  So, I didn’t have time to ask him your great questions about music or Richie’s love life or his appreciation for Jersey Girls.   

Tune in Wednesday morning to see what happened…     

What do you think of Bon Jovi? More on my interview tomorrow!