Sunday, May 17, 2009

Sunday Evening

I didn't feel tonight's earthquake in Los Angeles. When it hit, I was with friends at the Magic Castle up in Hollywood, watching (at that moment) a very funny performer named Chipper Lowell. Mr. Lowell has the kind of act that would cause you not to notice a little distraction like an earthquake. If you get a chance to see him anywhere, go. The whole group I was hosting thought he was terrific.

• Posted at 11:24 PM · LINK

Go Click On It!

What's the economic stress like in your neck o' the woods? Check out this interactive map and find out.

• Posted at 4:40 PM · LINK

Follow-Ups

In case anyone's curious: Jim Brochu informs me that this morn's clip of Zero Mostel singing "If I Were a Rich Man" is from Carol Plus Two, a 1966 special which was the pilot for The Carol Burnett Show. The "two" were Mr. Mostel and Ms. Lucille Ball...and Jim oughta know as he was friends with both guest stars and has recently been playing one of them (guess which one) in a one-man show.

Also, here's a follow-up from long ago: Back in September of 2006, I was watching the Jerry Lewis Telethon and I saw (and reported here) about something that confused me. Jerry sang the song, "Even Now," in tribute to a lady named Lil Mattis who had either passed away or left his employ. He wasn't clear as to which, though I assumed the former. What really baffled me was that he said, "She wrote that" — and I knew and verified that "Even Now" was written by Marty Panzer and Barry Manilow.

I recently heard from the son of Ms. Mattis. She did indeed pass away, and he also informs me that she was a successful writer of lyrics and special musical material, and she wrote material for Jerry, among many other performers. Her work for Lewis included special lyrics for "Even Now," done with the composers' permission, to turn it into a song about helping kids the way his telethon does. I'm not sure Jerry actually sang her lyrics on the telethon that year. Several correspondents, including one who worked for Barry Manilow, wrote me that Jerry sang most of the real ones, and I don't know for sure. Nevertheless, that's the answer to my confusion over her connection to the song.

We get to the bottom of things here. Sometimes, it takes a couple of years but we get to the bottom of things.

• Posted at 3:47 PM · LINK

Pledge Break

I'm putting up one of my little tipbars because I need to pay for some eBay purchases and also cover some expenses relating to the collection of comics for my friend Len. And as an incentive, the person who donates the highest amount will be contacted and told that he or she may designate a subject for an upcoming post, either requesting a specific anecdote I haven't told here or asking me to hold court on some topic of their choice.

This offer does not apply to a certain person with the initials F.B. — you know who you are — who has sent me way too much money in the past. I will accept no more loot from you, kind sir. The rest of you can send as much as you like. I won't stop you.

• Posted at 3:57 AM · LINK

Today's Video Link

Zero Mostel on some variety show performing a song that maybe should not be performed in a tuxedo...

• Posted at 2:00 AM · LINK

Going Greene

If I were in Las Vegas this weekend, I'd go see Shecky Greene performing at the Suncoast. I've never seen the man in his natural habitat (a Vegas showroom) but my father used to come back from every Vegas trip, raving and giggling over Mr. Greene's onstage antics.

This is the first time in quite a while that Shecky's done what he reportedly does so well. I hope he does it some more and I hope I get to go see him. Here's an article about the guy.

• Posted at 1:58 AM · LINK

May 16, 2009 • Current • May 18, 2009