A few newsy items today:

The Smart Television Alliance asked how I would improve television for children. Here’s my answer.

Neil at Citizen of the Month has a blog crush on me. This one time he called me brainy and gorgeous so I’m inclined to give him a big, juicy thank you kiss right here in front of everyone. The best part, though, is that he sends a voicemail along with his putting it on his blog. What I’ve learned is that when you get it and it goes straight to junk mail you shouldn’t be wimpy and wonder if it’s spam. As Neil replied to me this morning, “Don’t be a wimp. Open it.”

I have a few crushes myself these days. For music, it’s Irish-born Laura Izibor. For comedy, it’s Elna Baker. If you have the time you should listen to her “Babies Buying Babies” which is what made me first adore her when I heard it on This American Life where my other crush tends to hang out.

Here’s the REAL news, though. I’m working with BlogHer on a new video series called BackTalk! (I don’t know if there will be an exclamation point in the name of the series. That was for the dramatic effect on my end.)

Erin from Queen of Spain, Lindsay from Suburban Turmoil, and Chris from Notes From the Trenches are all going to be showing you why THEY should be on camera and I should be kept far away from it. (I blink a lot. Did you know this? I believe I have mentioned it once or twice before.) It’s kind of a great gig and I’m so happy to be working on this but the best part of it is that it’s not a show that just talks at you, it invites you to become a real part of the conversation. YOU can upload stories, anecdotes, fart jokes whatever you’d like to contribute.

The first episode airs tomorrow. Look for my blinking. I mean, sure, I’ll be talking and getting in on the blather. Don’t let the blinking scare you.