Ahhhhh, The Daily Show.

Just when I'm hit my gloomiest over what feels like a tidal wave of anti-gay sentiment, including Day Five of the Mary Cheney hostage crisis*--which reveals such an undercurrent of gay hostility and apprehension I had lost sight of--and Salon's latest cover story, Homosexuals Are Hellbound! about all the anti-gay state constitutional amendments on the Nov ballot, and the horror show it's producing in Ohio, and then I flip on my Tivo for a little light viewing while I do the dishes.

It seems Samantha B (Bee?) has discovered a gaping loophole in all these amendments outlawing gay marriage. Roy and Siloh have been cohabiting together for five years. Openly. In Central Park.

They live in the zoo. They're penguins. There are three gay couples living there, among the penguins. Countless other animals.

"Just because it happens in nature, does not make it natural," Samatha Bee snapped at the zookeeper.

"Ummmmm." It took him awhile to get the words out, but eventually he responded, "I think by definition, that actually does."

She also points out the obvious dangers. Penguins are already dressed in tuxedos, just like grooms. So if kids believe penguins can be gay, then so can grooms. And then what's to stop groom and penguin marraiges?" Heeheehee. I won't even try to describe the animation, of penguin and groom joining hands.

I feel better already.

Hopefully none of these amendments will be wielded against Roy and Siloh. They will continue living blissfully onward, just as God intended.

*I stole that hostage-crisis line from Salon.

Ahhhh, one of the joys of television.

It took me nearly 40 years to get over my reverse snobbery and sink my teeth into Masterpiece Theatre. There's still time for you if you think it's all just snooty crap your grandmother would enjoy.

It opened last night with the first half of "The Lost Prince," the true story of Queen Elizabeth's uncle, who the Windsors (before they had that name) shunted off Prince John into seclusion because they were ashamed of his epilepsy. (Ahhhh, sort of like the Cheneys.)

It's heartbreaking. But hopeful. And illuminating.

Most PBS stations repeat it some time during the week, so you've still got a chance to catch up.

And the rest of the season's schedule is here. You might want to look out for Henry VIII, starting Nov. 7, with a cast including Helena Bonham Carter.