The December Harper's treats us to some interpretive riffs on the TV show, Extreme Weight Loss, by novelist Rick Moody. I've never seen the program, and was not especially intrigued by most of Moody's riffs thereon. I mention it today only because Moody offers us some well-worded descriptions of the shows host, Chris Powell, describing Powell for example as "an average-size guy with the endearing aw-shucks mien of an Arizona State frat brothe who nonetheless manages to volunteer on the local pediatric ward." I like the word "mien" there. At a less inspired moment, he might have gone with "manner." I will conclude this blog entry with the two sentences that conclude the review: "In our evangelical nation, where all things are possible if you are born anew -- a straight nose, a good job, six-pack abs, a modicum of happiness -- I would argue that the show's host is just messianic enough. After all, the guy's first name is Chr...
