Quote of the day: Drama is life with the dull bits left out.—Alfred Hitchcock Scriptnotes had a live call-in show for their 700th episode and made a video, so you can watch it on YouTube. Craig shaved off his beard and his hair, apparently trying to pass for John. Can you tell them apart? Meanwhile, … Continue reading The Live Call-In Show
Podcasts
Strawberries, Lightning, and Zenger
Quote of the day: Political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel peace prize.—Tom Lehrer A useful little gadget that I got a little while ago is this strawberry huller. It removes just the stem from the strawberry, no muss, no fuss. Much easier than messing with a paring knife. Ever wonder … Continue reading Strawberries, Lightning, and Zenger
Piano and Movies and the Bible
I guessed the composer on this week’s Piano Puzzler after the first few measures, and if you want to know how I did it, just listen to Bruce Adophe’s explanation when the answer is reveled. That’s how. But I’m embarrassed to admit I couldn’t get the hidden tune. Normally when I have difficulty with the … Continue reading Piano and Movies and the Bible
Don’t Drink the Coffee!!!!!
It’s been many years since the last time I took a flight in a commercial airline, but if I ever do again (very unlikely but you never know), I’ll be sure not to drink the coffee. Or the tea. Or even wash my hands in the water in the rest room tap. Just listen to … Continue reading Don’t Drink the Coffee!!!!!
Not That There’s Anything Wrong With That
Larry Charles, who wrote many of the most memorable episodes of Seinfeld, has a new memoir out: Comedy Samurai: Forty Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter. He is also interviewed by Terry Gross on Fresh Air: 'Seinfeld' Writer & 'Borat' Director Larry Charles. In his new memoir, Comedy Samurai, Larry Charles reflects on his career in … Continue reading Not That There’s Anything Wrong With That
Discrimination in the U.S. Military
Here’s an especially good episode of The Thinking Atheist, Targeted: Discrimination in the Military, as Seth Andrews zeros in on all the different ways that the U.S. Military is discriminating against its citizens because of that sexual predator who is currently inhabiting the White House.
Don’t Mess With the Cuban
On Fresh Air Todd Purdum talks about Desi Arnaz and how he shaped the modern sitcom with I Love Lucy. It’s a reminder of how stupid network executives were in those days (they still are) and how afraid they were of anything that even implied S-E-X, so when Lucy got pregnant they had a case of … Continue reading Don’t Mess With the Cuban
Charlie Gilbert
Stephen Sondheim fans, if they know the name Charles Gilbert, know it as the name of the fellow who wrote an unsuccessful play that gave Sondheim the germ of an idea that led to him and John Weidman developing the musical Assassins. And while that is correct as far as it goes, Charlie Gilbert has … Continue reading Charlie Gilbert
You Think You Had a Bad Day?
In the April 15 episode of Scriptnotes Craig Mazin describes a truly bad day that he had when he was a beginning writer. I venture to say that very few bad days can compare to his. After that, Craig and John August discuss oners—those single take shots that directors love, well, some directors, and actors … Continue reading You Think You Had a Bad Day?
Piano Puzzler
This week’s Piano Puzzler was a particular favorite for me, because the hidden tune turned out to be one of my favorite tunes although it’s from a show that I feel only so-so about. I happen to like the classical composer that it was paired with as well. In fact, I picked up on the … Continue reading Piano Puzzler