COPILOT EPISODE

I hope it's better than either of these guys.

 My Microsoft Edge browser recently underwent an unasked-for update that appears each time I turn on my laptop. The newsfeed that used to immediately appear has been replaced by something called Microsoft Copilot.

Theoretically, that's an improvement, seeing how the news is nothing but negative. Too, Copilot always offers a friendly greeting, such as "What's on your mind, Kevin?" or "Kevin, ready to dive in?"

True, it's a little unnerving to be incessantly addressed by my first name, like somebody wanting really badly to be my friend. Neither Google nor Bing go overboard that way. Like good servants, they know their place and are happy to stay there. 

Like Friz Feld as a maitre d', only
Copilot doesn't pop its mouth.

Microsoft Pilot is just a search engine gussied-up as A.I. in order to make you believe it cares about you. Say you want to find some good French restaurants in your area. Instead of just bringing up a list, Copilot actually engages in conversation in complete sentences, including opinions of the menus and advice on how to dress for dinner. No thanks, I already have a wife for that.

But since I'm in the semi-market for a new TV, I thought I'd ask Copilot for advice. And just for laughs, I asked for one with an 80-inch screen and 8K. Here was what I was offered:

It wasn't the price tag that caught my eye as much as the description. What exactly is a "Women's" television? I mean, I remember when Virgina Slims cigarettes were marketed to women. Depending on which ad you saw, women were supposed to smoke them because they were, of course, slimmer than "men's" cigarettes or "women are biologically superior to men". Somehow or other, taglines like that made sense in 1968. But for a TV almost 60 years later? And what does size 8 mean? 

Now take a look which website is selling it: HSN, a/k/a the Home Shopping Network. Now you know why it's for women. Too, any TV that large must be a size 8. Sounds like Copilot is a little sexist if you ask me!

Because I can't resist seeing what comes up when searching my name, I gave Copilot a whirl:

Kevin Kusinitz is a writer and background actor based in New York. He’s known for his witty, often self-deprecating takes on aging, pop culture, and everyday life. His work has appeared in outlets like Next Avenue, Forbes, and MarketWatch, where he shares personal essays that blend humor with insight—like buying his first smartphone at 61 or navigating cholesterol levels with a dose of sarcasm.

Hey, that's pretty darned accurate! No size 8 nonsense here. What else does it have to say?

He’s also dabbled in acting, with small roles in productions like A Crime to Remember and Ashe '68. Earlier in his career, he won three Promax Awards for his work on network promos, and he maintains a blog called The Ol’ Fish Eye, where his cynically humorous outlook continues to shine[...] If you enjoy writers like David Sedaris or Nora Ephron, Kusinitz might be right up your alley.

The logo
you can trust.

Y'know, the more I read about this Kusinitz guy, the more interesting he seems! And when the review uses words like "hilarious", "relatable", "heartwarming", "darkly funny" and "sharp" to describe his writing -- well, maybe I was a little harsh regarding my initial opinion of Microsoft Copilot.

Screw those Bing listicles! I recommend Microsoft Copilot to anyone looking for the best, most accurate online guide today. 

PS: Shout out to my friend Leo the movie editor: look yourself up and discover that you have "a knack for crafting emotionally resonant and narratively seamless edits—and a few of his standout moments really showcase that magic." Sounds like you have a fan in Copilot, too!

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