Why We Care

Jill's public announcement of her very personal loss has highlighted why there is nothing else in sales or entertainment quite like home shopping. The sales person at Macy's, Target, or Dillard's might have also gone through a recent tragedy in her life, but in most cases we would know nothing about it. In fact, we probably don't even know her name.

On the other hand, not only do we know Jill's name, we feel like we know her. We certainly feel entitled to comment on her hair style, her clothes, her sales shtick … and, in all honestly, being in the public eye, I think that's all fair game for discussion and opining.

Jill, like all the other hosts, talks about her personal taste, her lifestyle, and her family. We hear stories of how she grew up as an only child, how she met her husband, and what she's making for dinner that night in the pressure cooker (it's a time saver because she's a busy mom!) I know that she loves hoop earrings because she thinks they don't make her face look too full. I know that even though she tends to go for the more "understated elegance" look, she loves bold silver jewelry because it reminds her of what her grandmother always wore. I know that she wants a real emerald mother's ring. I know she's a good cook and that David Venable. loves to come over to eat and gossip. I can tell that it physically pains her to wear bedazzled Quacker Factory clothes. I know she was a journalist before coming the the Q. I know that she snagged the Silver Style show when Jane Treacy was gone and carved out that territory for herself. I suspect that she has a Martha Stewart perfectionist streak in her. And even though Jill's presentations on Saturday were technically fine, I could tell that she was not herself.

But, no, I don't really know her. And unless you are friends with Jill in real life, neither do you.

When Jill happily ... no, joyously ... shared her pregnancy news on air, she opened up the floodgates of well-wishers. It seemed every caller was truly excited for Jill and wanted to offer their sincere congratulations. It was that overwhelming outpouring of support that forced Jill to make that announcement of her tragic miscarriage and ask that it not be mentioned on air. The same community of people who shared in her joy, would also want to share in her pain. Obviously, this would make getting through a segment selling the latest Denim & Co. capri pant or Sleep Number bed without breaking down and crying a bit difficult.

As home shopping fans, we are privy to the joys and life-changing events of the hosts, the tense moments and off-the-cuff remarks, and sometimes, the shiny veneer is peeled back just a little bit and we get a peak at their hearts. And when that happens, we can't help but be touched.

Reality TV has nothing on home shopping. It doesn't get more real than this.

Condolences

Condolences to Jill Bauer on the news today of her miscarriage. My thoughts and prayers go out to her.

Jill made the emotional announcement at the beginning of her "You're Home with Jill" show on Saturday. Although she said that she appreciates everyone's support, she requested that callers not mention her loss on air--certainly understandable. I'm sure that going through this publicly hasn't been easy, but she went on to host her show professionally.

ETA: My thoughts here.

Congratulations Jill!!!

Home shopping's official "busy mom" is about to get a lot busier. Jill Bauer just announced that she is pregnant and due in October!

Jill joined Shawn Killinger during a presentation of the new guide to pregnancy book, Postcards from the Bump (click this link to watch the video), to make the big announcement. You know, Jill has mentioned on several occasions that her husband is quite fond of Philosophy's Falling in Love fragrance. Apparently that stuff really works.

I'm beginning to think that there is something in the water in West Chester studio! How many hosts are pregnant now? Three?

Made in the USA

My biggest complaint with all the home shopping channels is their affinity for all things manufactured in China (and other countries with cheap labor and low standards). In these horrible economic times, I want to support American jobs whenever I can.

But what can I do about it?

Since I don't have the power to change everything, I'll just do what I can. Hey, we're all in this together, right? I certainly don't want everyone to just stop buying from these homes shopping companies so they are forced go out of business. They provide many American jobs (although the number has been shrinking lately) and endless hours of entertainment.

So I decided that I'm going to try to spotlight great items made right here. If you're already in the market to buy, you might as well support American companies with your purchase.

On the Q's Silver Style show today (where is Jill, BTW?), a chain I've had my eye on for quite a while is on easy pay. It's got a heavy gram weight, a five star review, and looks designer, "on trend," "fashion forward," and all those other infamous home shopping-isms.

Check out the Sterling 32" Textured and Polished Status Link Necklace, 61.0g, here (there's also several other lengths available on easy pay too). Or, if you want something with smaller links, go with this one (also made in the USA). I'm leaning towards the smaller one since it's a 36-inch chain. I want to be able to double it up.

Happy shopping, chickadees!