Early cable was cool. I remember all of the channels were on the dial, before converters, and in Galveston they had an early "weather channel" that was basically a CCTV camera that panned across a set of gauges, temperature, a business card for a local business, barometric pressure, business card, humidity, business card etc. We didn't have HBO but my friend did and there were many "meetings" as you described, to sample the latest offerings.
I can't really honestly answer the Anthony question since I can't be objective knowing the kind of human she (allegedly) is. I doubt I would have anything to do with her based on the "hot babe contest." While they may be hot, those kinds of women don't do much for me.