Today's Guest: Danny Pudi, actor, "Community" It’s a shame Lorne Michaels didn’t sign up Danny Pudi for “Saturday Night Live” before the producers of the NBC sitcom “Community” cast him as “Abed.” He is so flexible in body, mind and voice as to suggest a combination of Jim Carrey, the late Phil Hartman and... Continue Reading →
In cartooning, Christopher Hart is Humongous, it’s true! PODCAST INTERVIEW
When I was a little boy, it was common to see matchbook covers with ads saying things like “Learn to Draw!” The idea was that if you could draw the pokey little donkey, you, too, could one day become a famous and wealthy artist. (More people smoked back then, so matchbooks were everywhere. Not... Continue Reading →
Aubrey Plaza is Parks and Recreation weapon of mass sarcasm! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Playing the intern on a Thursday night NBC sitcom is not a bad gig for a young actor. Look at B.J. Novak, the young man who plays “Ryan” on “The Office.” He was literally unknown when he joined the show and quickly became a strong character onscreen and off, writing at least 10 episodes... Continue Reading →
Jesse Ventura sees conspiracies in places I only see incompetence! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Jesse Ventura sees conspiracies everywhere. He came to national prominence as a wrestler nicknamed “The Body,” took a turn on the silver screen in Predator with Ah-nuld, and even went by “Governor” for a term. Now he’s bidding for you and me to start thinking of him as “The Brain.” Don’t get me wrong;... Continue Reading →
Who killed movie star Natalie Wood? Is the true story here? PODCAST INTERVIEW
What happened to Natalie Wood on the night of November 29, 1981? The next morning, as we all know, she was discovered floating in the waters off Catalina Island. But what happened during the night before she died? That night, Natalie was aboard the Splendour, the boat she and her husband, actor Robert... Continue Reading →
426 Dario Scardapane hopes for second life of NBC’s Trauma! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: Dario Scardapane, TV writer, producer, "Trauma," "The Bridge" Dario Scardapane would like a few minutes of your time on Monday nights at 9 p.m. for the next couple weeks. Scardapane is the creator and executive producer of “Trauma,” which, I believe, is a beneficiary of The Jay Leno Show’s fabulous flameout at 10... Continue Reading →
Topless actresses? It’s Mr Skin.com’s Anatomy Awards! INTERVIEW
Jim McBride is a man’s man—if the man in question likes ogling topless and bottomless actresses on TV and films. McBride does all that and, even better, is well-paid to do it, separating him from the rest of us slobs who are mere hobbyists by comparison. You probably know McBride better by his nom de... Continue Reading →
412 YA novelist James Dashner plots course with The Maze Runner! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: James Dashner, novelist, The Maze Runner Recommendations are worth what you pay for them, so I don’t always accept them at face value. But the same literary agent who turned me on to young adult novelist Sara Zarr two years ago thought I’d also enjoy James Dashner’s new YA book, The Maze Runner,... Continue Reading →
Literary agent Jeff Herman offers tips on landing a rep! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: Jeff Herman, literary agent, author, Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents: Who They Are! What They Want! How to Win Them Over! This is a tough time to be a writer, whether you’re on the staff of a newspaper or magazine or an independent like myself. Layoffs and budgets... Continue Reading →
A Boy Named Curtis created by a cartoonist named Ray! PODCAST INTERVIEW
There are a number of daily newspaper comic strips that we tend to take for granted. “Cathy,” by Cathy Guisewite, is one. Mort Walker’s “Beetle Bailey” and “Hi & Lois” are two more. And then there is my friend Ray Billingsley’s strip, “Curtis.” “Curtis” shares the adventures of a young African-American boy whose age... Continue Reading →