The Price Is Wrong
Here’s a piece I wrote in 1998 about why I’ll never be a contestant on “The Price Is Right.” Still true 25 years later, even with a different host.
Vinyl Edition
For about three decades, I had a semi-regular guest on my radio show who appraised old vinyl albums on the air. His visits were hugely popular, and he’s still at it. Here’s the story.
Jerry Springer
When I heard about the death of Jerry Springer at age 79 yesterday, I remembered a conversation I had with him in 1999. No matter what you thought of him and his show, I can tell you that he was a money-in-the-bank guest. Here’s proof.
Biden’s Cursive
Joe Biden’s video announcing he’s running for reelection was quite well done, except for one thing.
Carol Burnett’s 90th
There is going to be a two-hour special tonight celebrating Carol Burnett’s career on the day she turns 90. Here’s what I hope gets included besides clips of her iconic primetime sketch show.
Tuckered Out
Some thoughts about the end of Tucker Carlson’s heinous reign at Fox News Channel, the ugly legacy he leaves behind, and the theories on his firing you shouldn’t believe.
Best Thing I’ve Seen Today
A very moving clip of CNN’s Dana Bash and Wolf Blitzer — descendants of Jews who died in the Holocaust — when they traveled to Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
“Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant”
It’s been almost a decade since we had a good, successful war movie. Does this new one starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim end that drought? Read my full review here.
“Somewhere In Queens”
I enjoyed Ray Romano’s directorial debut, in which he stars as a schlubby guy — with Laurie Metcalf as his wife — just trying to help his basketball-playing son through life. Read my full review here.
Netflix Is Done With DVDs
I just received an email from Netflix announcing that, after 25 years, it will stop shipping DVDs by mail later this year. Here are some details and backstory.
Disappointment Viewing
Here’s why the new seasons of “Barry” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” — as well as Bob Odenkirk’s “Lucky Hank” — haven’t lived up to my expectations. But one returning show has exceeded them.
“Mafia Mamma”
Toni Colette has made some very good movies over the years, but her newest is not among them. In fact, it will likely top my Worst Movie Of 2023 list. Read my scathing review here.
The Man That Got Away
Judy Garland singing “The Man That Got Away” is one of the greatest vocal performances I’ve ever seen or heard. Here’s some back story on the movie it’s from (the first remake of “A Star Is Born”) and the people who helped make it happen.
Vegas Weekdays
A few observations after spending several days in Las Vegas last week, from the poker rooms to the crowds on the strip to the new generation of slot machines.
Whitewashing History
Here’s how my father — a career social studies teacher — preempted complaints from parents about hot button issues he discussed with his students like racism and the Holocaust.