What a Show

You’re not going to believe it’s me saying this, but if I don’t see another TV for a month, it will be too soon.

After three days of CES, I’ve certainly seen enough of them. Plasmas, LCDs, 1080p full HD, etc etc etc. Each one bigger and blacker. LG has a 102-incher, Panasonic has a 103-incher, and Sharp has a 108-incher. Clearly, size matters.

I’ve also seen a lot of cell phones, cameras, mp3 players, iPod accessories, camcorders, blah blah blah … after three days of speaking to PR people and asking about availability and pricing, it’s all blending together (good thing I’ve taken plenty of notes).

And of course, nothing I’ve seen has been as cool as Apple’s iPhone, which is not here because Apple doesn’t do CES. Still, yesterday in the press room, it was all anyone was talking about.

Exhaustion aside, it’s been a great show. And outside the Convention Center I’ve had fun too. Two minor (very minor) celeb sightings: Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling and I rode the monorail together yesterday morning (no, we didn’t trade jokes), and Richard Greico (from 21 Jump Street) walked by me last night at the Bellagio, still looking stuck in the ’80s. Went to a cool, very slick press conference/event for Warner Brothers last night where they announced their Total HD discs (and gave everyone a Superman t-shirt. Cool). I’m up $60 after about four hours total of blackjack at New York New York. I’ve got a suitcase full of stuff, some I’m keeping and some I’m giving away. The weather’s been perfect — temps in the mid-60s with clear blue skies — and I haven’t worn a jacket once.

So, it’s been a good and productive and fun and overwhelming trip — but not painful like the last time I was here (and thank God for that). Still, despite lacking any backaches, I’m looking forward to my free massage this afternoon at the new Qua spa at Caesars Palace. More on that — and the trip in general — when I’m back in Boston.

Right now I’m just trying to stay awake.