the rix mix

NBC is positioned to have the better Macy's Parade coverage, since they set up where everyone has to do the schtick. Not that you actually get to watch the parade go by like you're a spectator. Casts from Broadway musicals you'll never want to see. Celebrities lucky to get invited to a "C" list party. More emotive lip-synching than a Soultrain anniversary special. Marching bands from Southern California schools, the cold, soaked musicians thinking about changing their majors or switching to the Debating Club next year. MC host patter cut & paste from copy provided by publicists & ad agencies. Everyone was suffering in the miserable weather. Barry Manilow's new hip must have been singing to him like an off key coloratura soprano. The crowds are out-of-towners; New Yorkers look at the balloons on Wednesday night & are done with it. It's a tradition, we get here every year at 6 am & nobody pees for 8 hours . CBS relied more on pretaped bits; Rachel Ray preparing a gross casserole from every leftover except the marshmallow yams & calling it a "dip," a dark humor behind Rachel's smile. C'mon, the soup's the best part of the old bird.