Cool stuff to read and listen to

What's entertaining me at the moment:

-Maybe We'll Have You Back: The Life of a Perennial TV Guest Star by Fred Stoller (audiobook). Just started, but interesting so far. I enjoy these insider looks at creative types and their process, or how they got to where they are. Stoller is in the category of someone doing just well enough that he doesn't quit, but not so well that he can stop struggling.

Good line: He wanted to have a lemonade stand as a kid, but his neurotic mother quashed the idea with, "What if it goes under? Don't do it, Freddie." I wish I couldn't relate so well to that kind of childhood.

Ohh, that's a burn, John Mellencamp

I didn’t mean to turn this blog into Letterman’s Greatest Hits, but what the hell, he’s kicking ass and taking names in these final episodes.

Last night, guest John Mellencamp plunked down an ashtray, lit up a smoke, and puffed his way through the interview (they better clean that chair, ’cause ain’t nobody wants to sit in his smoke stench, no matter how nostalgic they get over “Jack and Diane.”) He proceeded to talk about having a heart attack and discussing it with his doctor. Dave cut in with: “When it was all done, the doctor said, whatever you do, don’t stop smoking.” Burn! In jest, of course. Damn, I’m gonna miss Dave. Mellencamp had a chuckle, and then kicked a little ass of his own on stage (he's still got it).

Seinfeld and Letterman, the dynamic duo

I could watch Jerry Seinfeld and David Letterman banter for hours. Last night I caught up on Friday's episode of Late Show with David Letterman, which was basically two old friends chatting and making a farewell of sorts (though Seinfeld didn't voice it, many other recent guests have made the bittersweet observation that it would be their last time on the show because Letterman vacates the host's chair on May 20). Who knows, maybe Seinfeld will pop up on the last day.

That looming deadline prompted me to start watching Letterman again after many years of not bothering to tune in very often, even though he's my favorite talk show host (not that I'm very familiar with the others, it's just not a format I'm that into). I loved the show in high school and hold fond memories of staying up late to watch a guy who was funny and odd and cool. I couldn't stand to let it go gentle into that good night without raging against the dying of the light a little, so to speak, by catching some of the final episodes.

After an unexceptional stand-up set by Seinfeld (turns out it was the first routine he ever did on the show about 30 years ago, which explains why my husband kept saying it seemed dated), the two chatted comfortably like old pals. Seinfeld made a funny crack (I'm sure he made several, but this one struck me enough to jot it down) as the two talked about clowns (which sprang from talking about the circus, something they agreed still exists even though no one really likes it):

It begins

Settle in, knock back a smooth draught of your favorite chocolate wine, and let’s kick this mother off. (It’s ok if you don’t like choco wine, whether you relax with pinot or a Diet Coke, just grab what gets you to your happy place). ChocoVino is my special treat, makes me feel all warm and pampered. A little goes a long way with choco wine, but it always feels so mighty fine. 

Now I would like, if I may, to take you on a strange journey. (If you know that’s a line from Rocky Horror Picture Show, take another sip. If not, take two sips and watch the movie stat). This blog isn’t about campy musicals in particular, but about the entertaining things we enjoy in general, sometimes with a nice chilled glass of whatever in one hand and a remote in the other. Or a book, or a tablet. It’s your hand, you pick.

I’ll comment on books, TV, movies, and anything else that strikes a chord. Welcome.