THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon.



NOBODY ASKED ME BUT..



1) I sure have to wonder when Broadway Musicals became Disneyland East devoid of good music and drama but filled with special effects and obscene prices. Spiderman is only that latest incarnation of a show that wants to be a mediocre film.


2) Given the prices on Broadway would it not be less expensive to see a film and stick to some quality that Broadway, rarely now, can offer? Usually drama.


3) Larry Kramer (The Normal Heart) hit it on the head---even though he sounded petulant in an interview---to paraphrase—“....the best material is Off Bway and the Tonys are just an exercise in promoting Bway shows to make money touring big venues—forget content and quality...”


4) Have you noticed the new punctuations are --- and not ,,,? I guess Walter Winchell was ahead of his time but a true pain in the ass in his own time.


5) What do you think old Bill Shakespeare would have made of this: U r a pitha and I lol at u. Gee---so close to “...to be or not to be....”.


6) Where have all the flowers gone? In my house---died. They never complained as a dog or cat might have. Just as well---less to do and I gave them a good send off. I think. Earth to Earth and plants appreciate water---so a toilet flush should suffice for farewell prayers and offerings.


7) So hard to resign from an office, embarass yourself, and still collect your pension in the 7 figures. One has to sympathize---and look at how many weiners a Weiner can buy with that number.


8) One would think that a man with such a name would think twice before becoming a punch line----he could really cash in by riding along on The Wiener Mobile---there is such a thing.


9) There was once a judge by the name of Putz===happily, he avoided becoming a punch line.

                                                   

A BIt of Nostalgia

We shall for, for the moment, forget the Thursday column, the radio program updates and spend a few seconds with 2 folks that brought meaning into a fairly meaningless life---No captions needed.

That pretty much says it all.

THURSDAY--Another Edition of..............

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon.

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT..

1)                The obvious question is why someone with the name of “Weiner”  would allow himself to put in this position---of all the definitions of “Weiner” he has proven to be the most accurate---a Putz.

2)                If politics does not work out anymore---and it shouldn’t given his propensity stupidity and arrogance---a job driving the Oscar Mayer Weiner Mobile---a perfect solution to all things Weiner.

3)                You thought doctors and psychiatrists had it good with the fees---think about Private Tutors (for students and SAT).   $450.00 for 50 minutes.  That is one great 50 minute hour that will not create leaders rather, pampered and sheltered kids who’s parents have high hopes---like a rubber tree plant.

4)                Did A. Lincoln, HST, DDE, and such have private tutors?

5)                Mike Wallace is now some 94 years old and, sadly, suffering from dementia.   Yet, in reflecting on his career, I recall his early show==Nightbeat where he destroyed his guests---yet, 2 interviews ring out.  Mike Quill and Burt Lancaster.  Each one, for valid reasons, walked off the stage in a live segment because of Mr. Wallace’s demeaning and insulting queries.  Bravo for them.

6)                You have to hand it to the bank folks.  They take the money and try for even more by trying to keep insane debit card fees alive and well.  Huge profits, bailouts, and big bonuses seem to be the order of the day whilst doing great advertising to show how friendly they are.  Did you ever get that free lunch from Chase?

7)                A great punch line for a restaurant that has a sign that says---Cash Only –but No Worry –We Have an ATM.   The punch line should read---Big Worry--- I have no account anywhere---sure did enjoy the meal.

                                     

THURSDAY --Another Edition of.....

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon.

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT..

1)            Sometimes it is nice to start with some positive nostalgia and some thanks for people and places that have truly proved to be, as the songs says, “...stops along the way..”.   WFDU is the first to be named for allowing and supporting my type of programming whether it be “folk” or “Yiddishkeit”---which they suggested.   Ron Olesko has surely to be thanked for introducing me to the station and to asking for my participation.  Jerry Treacy, also of WFDU, for his friendship and interest.  Now if I knew “hyperlinking” we could “hyperlink” these names----Christine Vitale, Bob Westphal, Marc Copeland, Rich Sibello, and leaving out the names of those that have made WFDU a truly memorable moment in the ---stops along the way.

2)            The biggest bargain for a musical show---and a good one—is for The Adventures of Hershele Ostrapolyer with Mike Burstyn.  It ends this run on June 26 at the Baruch PAC ( www.folksbiene.org ) and is equal to the likes of Fiddler and other great musical moments.  Think---The Sting in Yiddish set to music.

3)            Many years ago the creator of Homicide---Life on the Streets received a McArthur genius award and it was a good choice.  Wonderful drama that you can still view on Centric/TV.   Strange to now see the cast in so many different roles---Melissa Leo---Academy Award Winner, Andre Braugher---an amazing variety of dramatic roles on stage and screen, Reed Diamond—So many TV/film roles, and last but not least, Richard Belzer---what can you say.  The program was everything that Law and Order (in later years) was not.

4)            Who says that idealism and politicism are contradictions in terms?   Mubarack was what he was---and supported U S policy and the new regime may or may not support U S policy but still stifles free speech.  Has anything really changed?

5)            How is it that some “blogs” have thousands/millions if readers and I have you as we sit and chat in our undersized telephone booth?   As to telephone booths.   Another anachronism---you can always get this on your smart phone---which is, probably, smart enough to not have an app for this.  My problem.

6)            Mr. Blagojevich is one again on trial in Illinois---his hair goes on trial in another courtroom at another time to answer to charges of “teasing”

7)             Does anyone seem less “Presidential” than either Trump or Palin?   These in a nation that had the likes of FDR, HST, Wilson, and, yes, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and, of course,  Mr. A. Lincoln.  We won’t even mention the earliest presidential acting people.

8)            The release of the wonderful 6 DVD set of The Work of Ernie Kovacs truly shows what a comic and innovative genius he was.  As to trivia queries---who knows the identity of at least one of The Nairobi Three?

9)             In the “who is so stupid department” the local Shoprite had 2 very expensive beers on sale—just one bottle of each.  One was priced at $150.00 and it went.  The name of the beer was “Sink The Bismarck”.  I wonder if the buyer knows that this was a song and the whole thing a piece of perfect promotion to idiots.

    
10)   I have about 400 yards of shoreline measuring tape for sale along with 1 set of keys for the oar locks that can be used to measure that shore line.  Interested parties can contact 1-800-478-8743 (check the spelling of those numbers on your keypad).

                                 

THURSDAY--Another edition of..............

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon.

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT..

1)            For meaningful moments of memorable memories let me add a visit to the V A. Great organization that truly helps Vets—well, to some extent.   Some anecdotal moments about that---called in for eye exam by the OD who does not speak but rushes helter skelter---her call---Mr. Harn.   Exam and then you will be called again when your eyes dilate.   20 Min. later.  Mr. Harn---oops---there is a Mr. Harn there so the OD is very angry now why I came in---mispronounced name? (I said) –I never mispronounce names (she said).   Bottom line---she never confirmed my ID and if that other person had been using some drops that were not part of the standard tests my blindness would have been very upsetting to the OD.  Moreso, to me

2)            Putting the VA in a very positive light now.   A call from a nutritionist who spent some 20 min. on the phone to advise me on a proper diet after seeing blood test results relating to Potassium and Sugar levels.   Overboard on panic but On Board for empathy and caring.

3)            In the What Comes Around department the news that Cuba is investing in Golf Courses after years of saying it was an evil rich person’s pursuit just shows things do come around---even the silliness of rich folks trying to put a little ball into a hole in the ground---if it brings in the Dinero.

4)            Huguette Clark is dead---and you  don’t even know who she was.  Neither did I.  And, frankly, after a wealthy and very reclusive life—who really cares?

5)            This Sunday I have 2 great conversations on my 2 radio programs:

SUNDAY SIMCHA---Mike Burstyn joins me to talk of The Adventures of Hershele Ostropolyer.  Having seen it I can assure you a great evening in the theater—AND—the now are offering weekday tix for $33.00 on the Folksbiene website.   Sure beats Bway.

TRADITIONS---Andrew Calhoun joins me for an hour of great conversation and music of his own creation---and of a certain few others---for a reason.

6)    You have to love Pres. O’Bama ( you know the Irish guy)  in olde Erin. Everyone, it seems is Irish---reminded me of some classic episodes of Family Guy and Married With Children.  Years back a I joked about my co-host’s love of everything Irish before a St. Patrick’s Day program---My comment (in dialect)   “...good ole Ron O’Lesko will be with ye next week---he is now busy polishing up his apostrophe...”  He really found it offensive---well, the dialect.   I, for one, thought it good—but generic. Which brings me to a true tale. Coming up next.

7)   Just having heard an interview on “Fresh Air” with Sarah Silverman I have to say to start---I do not like her.   That said she did tell a story to which I could relate and it had to do with her use of the word “Chink” which some people found offensive and rightfully so.   Though people like Lenny Bruce and Geo. Carlin had made great points using such material to show our hypocrisy.  On, now, to the true story---I am a little guy (some 10 yrs. Old) and on Sunday nights an uncle asked us to join him for dinner.  This has to be prefaced with—“...an idiot uncle with many prejudices”.   So, says, he---“...how about going to the Chinks tonight?”   Amazing the amount of years before I knew it was not a chain of restaurants.  Can you imagine this a franchise along the lines of McDonalds---?

I do have to admit a Sarah Silverman moment that did make me laugh---her comment about a friend who put a .25 piece on his forehead and said---hey today is Jewish Ash Wednesday---self deprecating humor is OK to me---the rest---Lenny Bruce she is not.  Richard Pryor she is not.

8) NYC was a dangerous and affordable place in the 1980s/1970s/ and early 1990s.  Now it is a fairly safe place that is unaffordable by most people.  It has subway cars free of graffiti and “in-places” for the illiterati.  The question then is---which is the better place?

9) When did a 5 floor walk-up in a tenement in lower Manhattan become a “luxury pied-a-tierre” listing at over $1,000,000? Either I slept a long time like good old Rip or the world has truly ended and Harold Camping just went to the wrong heaven.

10) What a kind thought from a listener to mention that since my programs are now on the World Wide Web (as a live stream) these are major programs---good news for me since now my head will not be banging against those edges of the little pond in which I am a big fish.

                              

THURSDAY -- Another Edition of........

The flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT..

1)            For meaningful moments of music best to check stations like WFDU.  I admit I am partial and WNYC also has much to offer in intelligent conversation.  I do hope you will be joining me on Sunday May 29 when conversation and music come together with Andrew Calhoun will come together. 

2)            Another great performance by Mike Burstyn and an amazing cast doing another performance of The Adventures of Hershele Ostropolyer---to which, rightfully, are raving.  Mike will be my guest on SUNDAY SIMCHA on May 29.

3)            If I checked into a hotel I am happy that the room is cleaned and I do leave a tip—and always wonder how people do this hard and menial work.  Even Oreck (who I had on my Tabletalk program) tried to ease the work load—and garnered much money for his innovation.

4)            An update---Bin Laden is still dead.   Right there with Franco and Hitler and other people of little worth.   I do quote the official sources here---but, in our cynical world, I do believe them.  After all, Adolf is gone---Franco---ditto.  Oh we do miss Benito--the trains did run on time for a time

5)            I think the house arrest (etc;), in Manhattan, for Strauss- Kahn will be more pleasant than the forced look for privacy by his accuser.

6)            Whatever can make an IPO for something like “Linked In” so valuable?   Spam is really worth something, I suppose.

7)            Where oh where do they get the time—running for office, not running for office and hearing the voice of God all the time to help them with their choices whilst having their illicit affairs?   Busy Busy Busy.

           Flip Wilson had it all right---"God Made Me Do It"--OK dated material.

8)            It is always a deight to me when one get fortunate to find some physicians that are good, caring, relatable  with (on a personal basis), and actually have people who answer the phones---people ---not robotic voices with menu selections.  I am blessed to have some like that---and I will not mention the disaster that used to be the practice I went to in Rockland County----sometimes big is not better.   Well, for patients.

9)            NY NY its a wonderful town---too bad it is pretty much unaffordable for the
”great unwashed” these days.   Sadly, the term---“great place to visit but I would not want to live here” has to have the last sentence replaced by “...cannot afford to live here”.  Great comment by the performer Moby (now in LA)---loved it in the 70s and 80s---dangerous as hell but a mecca for creativity---now it is safe, Disneyfied, and totally unaffordable for an average person.   Agreed---unless you want to live in a closet for $1,200.00/month.   Is that your dream?  Not mine.

 There is a wonderful tenement museum in lower NYC which you can visit---then, of course, you could move to NYC in that area and live in one (walk-up and all) for over the price above.  Sounds like a really bad plan unless you believe that makes you an interesting and creative person.   If so—more power to you and also---good strong legs. Get pointed shoes