New York, June 16, 2008 – The Peabody Awards ceremony was unique this year.  The prestigious awards are for excellence in radio and television journalism, and news journalists normally dominate the luncheon, but this time entertainment personalities took precedence.   Heidi Klum was the center of attention for her work on Project Runway, leaving hardcore newsies like Kimberly Dozier and Bob Woodruff, both of whom were critically injured by bombs in Iraq, cooling their heels. 

Stephen Colbert found the mirrored back of his award statuette perfect for grooming, and smoothed his hair, checked his teeth and squeezed pimples while gazing at his reflection.  He thinks the Peabody award is better than an Emmy – mainly because he hasn’t won an Emmy.  Colbert said his dream guest to snag for his Comedy Central show is John McCain, because he’s “not exciting”.  (Is he gunning for V.P.?  Remember, Colbert ran for president once.)

There were no formal tributes, but people talked privately of NBC newsman Tim Russert’s sudden death the previous Friday.