Gov. Murphy and Jack Ciattarelli bring Big Dad Energy to the gubernatorial race.

A sunny Saturday to you, good people of New Jersey!

Could this gubernatorial race be any more disappointing? In a "normal" year, Jack Ciattarelli might have a stronger case to make for not giving Gov. Murphy a second term. He could point out Murphy's failure to address the situation inside the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in a timely or adequate way. He could harp on our sky-high property taxes, or the governor's huge blind spot around sexual harassment.

But the pandemic destroyed normal. And with the notable exceptions above, Murphy has tackled an extraordinary, unprecedented set of circumstances in a rational, mostly effective manner.

From Ciattarelli, we've gotten nonsense about how Murphy isn't "Jersey enough," a bunch of dangerous BS about kids not being vulnerable to the virus, and something about "sodomy." Big whoop. The whole Cuomo-esque "nice Italian guy who isn't afraid to get tough" show is a rerun we've all seen too many times.

Speaking of deeply disappointing: Diane Allen, a woman I grew up watching on TV and thought to be a person who understood the indignity of discrimination, could have spent the campaign being the moderate Republican she's always been. Instead Allen chose to pander to the right, making paranoid comments about buses full of COVID-positive immigrants coming over the border, and how "hardcore, progressive gay Democrats" want to teach your grandbabies about graphic sex acts under the guise of teaching LGBTQ history.

Cripes, Diane, get a grip already.

The Star-Ledger editorial endorsing Murphy notes that Ciattarelli has done his share of posing for the far-right Trump crowd, taking extreme and unwise positions on gun access and police accountability, even speaking at the "Stop the Steal" rally. He and Allen have embraced the "uglier, shallower, meaner" version of being a Republican. It's kind of sad to watch.

Early voting starts today, and no matter who you're choosing, I hope you make it a point to cast your ballot. And of course, keep it on NJ.com for continuing coverage, results and analysis. (A subscription gives you full access to it all. Do recommend.)

Also this week, a beer story, Bruce drops hints, dudes are gross, onion alert and over-the-counter hearing aids:

THE GREATEST BEER RUN: Get you the kind of friend who would make an international beer run to bring you some liquid refreshment while you're off fighting a war. That legendary story is getting the movie treatment with Russell Crowe and Zac Efron and will film in Jersey City.

BOSS WATCH: "We'll be out there in the world again next year, I hope." So says Bruce Springsteen, and we believe him -- an E Street Band tour could be just what we all need in 2022. Consider it a Boss Watch, not a Boss Warning. Bobby Olivier imagines the perfect set list.

MEN BEING CREEPY: Terry Bradshaw got unnecessarily familiar with Erin Andrews on the Thursday Night Football broadcast. It was a full-body cringe experience. Also, a former municipal court judge makes a sex joke, blames #MeToo.

KNOW YOUR ONIONS: I read about the CDC warning on onions due to a salmonella outbreak in 37 states, but not until after I'd spent the better part of an hour caramelizing a bunch of onions to put on cheeseburgers for dinner. Ours were OK, but find out if you should toss your onions.

SOUNDS VERY GOOD: Like much dental and vision care, hearing care isn't fully covered under traditional Medicare. For the 37 million Americans who need hearing aids, getting and maintaining them is often expensive and inconvenient. A proposed FDA rule would make the devices available over the counter.

Finally, are you a "cruise person"? Royal Caribbean is offering a 274-day, $60,000 trip called the Ultimate World Cruise that will visit more than 150 spots in 65 countries! If you're ready to disappear for a while, this could be just the ticket.

For myself, the idea of being stuck on a giant floating resort with a bunch of strangers for a year has big Hotel California vibes . . . this could be heaven, or this could be hell. Catch me at the Jersey Shore, instead.

Have a great week, everyone!

P.S.: <Terrified shreik!> Don't miss this.