From the Department of
desperate housewives:
Facing criticism that he appeared disengaged from the disaster wrought by Hurricane Katrina, President Bush has been looking for opportunities to show his concern. But the White House will take the effort a step further Tuesday, venturing into untested waters by putting the nation's first lady on reality television.
Laura Bush will travel to storm-damaged Biloxi, Miss., to film a spot on the feel-good, wish-granting hit "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Mrs. Bush sought to be on the program because she shares the "same principles" that the producers hold, her press secretary said.
But wait -- who booked Laura on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition? You guessed it...
But it could be difficult to discern whose fortunes will be lifted higher -- the displaced victims of two hurricanes or the White House, which was widely perceived as slow to understand their pain.
Which is probably why the Bush team contacted the show for a booking instead of the other way around. The series was ranked among the top 15 shows last season with an average 15.8 million viewers. Airing Sunday nights, it is considered one of the strongest family hours on television.
"We got a call from the White House saying, 'What are you doing and if you need help, just let us know,'" Forman said.
Good to know the White House is coordinating their rebuilding efforts with...ABC. Gee, everything must be running so smoothly in the Gulf Coast and Iraq that the Bush Team has oodles of extra time on its hands to call up television producers and make sure everything is just perfect for the next photo op.
Of course, sometimes producers ask for a little bit too much compassion:
It's not clear exactly what Mrs. Bush will do, but Tom Forman, executive producer and creator, said he is hoping that she'll just pitch in and help unload.
"I think we say, 'Mrs. Bush, the stuff is over here, the people are over there, could you grab the other end of that mattress?'" Forman said. Press secretary Susan Whitson envisioned something closer to handing out clothing and thanking volunteers.
Yeah, nothing too strenuous for Laura. Don't you know she's just there to smile and wave and convince you her husband really cares?
(Cross posted at Zigzagger.)