Anderson Cooper, without a clue, asks to be Donna Brazile's boo
Ah, we must be thankful today to politics for exposing us to what is to many a new English word: "boo." Not as in scary gremlins at Halloween. But as in "She's my boo" (girlfriend) or "He's my boo" (boyfriend).
Thanks to a tip from loyal Ticket reader Brady and a tip of the hat to this site, we saw that word quickly became one of Wednesday's most-searched items on Google News. And why do you suppose that was?
Because CNN's Anderson Cooper didn't know what it was either and walked right into an embarrassing expression in a back-and-forth during Tuesday night's election coverage with Donna Brazile, a network commentator and a Democratic superdelegate, allegedly uncommitted.
She had said that Barack Obama, who had just clinched his party's presidential nomination, had called her not to seek her support but to discuss his proposed ways of ensuring party unity for the fall election after the sometimes-bitter primary campaigns against Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Cooper was pressing Brazile on what Obama actually said. "He's told everyone," she replied, "that he plans to sit down with Sen. Clinton at the right time."
Cooper replied: "I'm looking for something he hasn't told anyone else -- just you."
"Anderson," Brazile replied with cocked head, "you're not my boo."
The panel laughed. And Cooper walked right into it. "I wanna be your boo," he said, pausing as the panel broke out laughing. "I don't really even know what that means."
At that, Brazile, who was Al Gore's presidential campaign manager in 2000, looked at her watch and asked, "Anderson, are we still on TV?"
"Yes, we are, Donna Brazile."
"Well, I think I better watch my words."
"Someone can explain it to me later," said Cooper.
And presumably someone did.
Now, even Ticket readers know.
--Andrew Malcolm
You have got to be kidding me? Journalists working in a city like Los Angeles have never heard of the term "boo." It's actually outdated!!!! This was a very popular term of endearment in the African-American community in the 1990's. Martin Lawrence used to say it all the time in his long gone sitcom. It's been used in many songs, many movies. I am stunned that the LA Times and Anderson Cooper are so out of it!
(Anderson Cooper is in NY or DC. Who said The Ticket didn't know? Why do you think we did the item on someone who didn't know?)
Posted by: Sarah | June 05, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Thanks for posting my reply!
I assumed you didn't know because of the way you wrote it
You made it sound like nobody knows what this means--"now, even Ticket readers know." Ticket readers knew! You didn't make that you knew clear. It reads like you just found out. Did you? :)
As for Anderson being in DC or NY--is that an excuse? This was not an LA term!
Posted by: Sarah | June 05, 2008 at 12:08 PM
As it happens, Mr. Cooper often has lunch in a restaurant I also frequent, close to my office in NYC. Last week when I walked past him I smiled and acknowledged him. (Isn't that why these guys do TV?) Next time I'm going to say"Booooo!"
Thanks, Ticket.
Michael Banks
Posted by: drbanks | June 05, 2008 at 11:17 PM
erm, it's my understanding that anderson copper's boo would not be someone named donna.
don, maybe, but not donna.
not that there's anything wrong with that!
Posted by: C. Kramer | June 06, 2008 at 03:38 AM
Anderson doesn't even know how to pronounce the Nintendo Wii. He called it the "why".
Posted by: anon | June 06, 2008 at 09:29 AM
I thought it was hysterical. The fact that the entire room burst out laughing means that unless Anderson is *incredibly naive* - he knows what it means too. I mean, David Gergen was laughing! I think he just played stupid for the laughs he was getting.
I thought it was one of the funniest moments on the TV Pundit side for this election. AND it flustered Brazile! Watching her scramble to say anything that wasn't "but...you're..." was precious.
Posted by: amused | June 06, 2008 at 11:04 AM
How cute! Finally a smile...and for teh record, i love Donnan Brazile and think anderson is a hottie-smartie
Posted by: Aminah Carroll | June 06, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Anderson Cooper is so NOT cool!!!
Posted by: AJ | June 06, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Well, I guess I'm just completely out of the loop; because I worked in L.A. for the entire decade of the 90s, in the media and out of it, and I never heard anyone use this expression. It's in so many songs, and so many movies? Apparently Sarah thinks she can speak for all Top of the Ticket readers when she says we all know what this dopey expression means. We don't, nor do we care.
Posted by: Rick | June 06, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Rick, dude, lighten up....ur stuffier than Anderson. And yes, for the record, BOO is old school in the African-American community, but still very much alive in songs and movies; most recentlly " MY BOO"; a 2007 Grammy nominee by USHER and ALICIA KEYS.
Lastly, I love DONNA BRAZILE; very firm but fair, classy lady!
Back to the Miami sun! See ya.
Posted by: Cedric Dawkins | June 07, 2008 at 04:44 AM
I think it was one of the cutest moments on CNN. Regardless or whether Anderson knew what "boo" meant or not, he certainly made the evening with that nice touch. Even thinking about it now, makes me smile. Anderson is well respected for the work he does and his dedication to get to the basis of an issue and present the truth.
Keep up the great work Anderson!
Posted by: AP | June 07, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Anderson Cooper and the $11,926.82 New York State Tax Warrant
http://webofdeception.com/#Anderson
Posted by: Robert Lewis | June 26, 2008 at 05:09 AM