Well, dear readers, November is flying by, like a gazelle eating Beer Nuts. Does anyone still eat Beer Nuts? I used to love Beer Nuts. There was a time when I ate Beer Nuts almost every day, one little package of them. Now that I’ve gone and mentioned Beer Nuts I want some damn Beer Nuts now. Did you know, for example, Beer Nuts was invented in 1937 by Edward Shirk and his son Arlo? Did you know, for example, that Beer Nuts was originally called Shirk’s Glazed Peanuts until 1953 when they were finally rechristened Beer Nuts? Did you know, for example, that Beer Nuts don’t have actual beer? Did you know, for example, that Beer Nuts is still a family-owned business? Why the HELL am I talking about Beer Nuts? Don’t I have notes to write? I do and I shall, not necessarily in that order.
Yesterday was quite a fun little day, save for one slightly irritating e-mail that I dealt with quickly and easily, not necessarily in that order. I was awakened by the ringing of the telephonic device at nine-thirty. It was Michael Sterling on the line, he of Sterling’s Upstairs at The Federal, where we do our Kritzerland shows. He does a radio show on Talk Radio LA or whatever it’s called. He had one of his guests drop out and asked if I could come in and do the show – of course I said yes. So, I got up, answered e-mails, printed out some orders, and then got ready and went and grabbed a sandwich, as I would otherwise not have gotten to eat anything until after six. So, I had me a turkey sandwich and no fries or onion rings. Then I moseyed on over to the building where they do the live radio show – amusingly, it’s only half a block from the marvelously marvelous K’s Donuts, but I showed great restraint and stayed away from K’s Donuts. I walked in and was greeted by the other guest, who came right up to me and said, “Do you remember me? I’m your biggest fan.” Since he was my biggest fan I replied that of course I remembered him – and he did look familiar. He’s an actor/comic named Richard Tanner. He pulled out a Nudie Musical LP and had me sign it. Fun. Then we went and did the show – we each had about fifteen minutes to gab and it all went very quickly and we both had a very good time.
After that, I picked up no packages, and then came home. I had to listen to a few tracks, and then it was time for our second Kritzerland rehearsal. That went very well – everyone mostly had their lyrics down, which was great. I gave a few little suggestions and that was that. This cast is really terrific – Stuart Ambrose, Dennis Kyle, Lisa Livesay, Jane Noseworthy, and Shannon Warne. After they were all finished, our special guest Alvin Ing showed up and ran his put-together of You Are Beautiful/My Best Love. He’s going to tell a short anecdote about Flower Drum Song – I told him it had to be short, as this show has got some long numbers in it and we can’t add to the running time. He sang the songs beautifully and he’s a very sweet man.
After that, I went to Gelson’s and bought some chicken noodle soup, the chunky kind by Campbell’s. I came home, made the soup, and then sat on my couch like so much fish and ate it all up.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled The Man Who Knew Too Much, the 1956 version. As those who’ve read Benjamin Kritzer know, that was a very important movie for me and, in fact, the movie theater that graces the cover of Benjamin Kritzer is showing that very film. I do love the film still – the cast is great, the John Michael Hayes script is colorful and fun, and Hitchcock directs with his usual genius. Add to that a great score from Bernard Herrmann and it’s all very entertaining. I wish I could tell you the transfer was spectacular, but I cannot. It’s very sharp, has moments that are fine, but it has bad color pulsing through way too much of it, and it just has too many problems – I believe an element was used that was not the camera negative – I wish they’d gone back and done this properly, because it should look spectacular, what with VistaVision and all. The casual viewer will probably find it watchable, and it sort of is, but, for me, it’s a botch.
I got the fun news that Adrian Zmed will be doing one of the two final episodes we’ll shoot the first week of December. So, I really only have three more roles to cast, which I’ll do this week for sure. Then I relaxed and played on the computer. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get a really good night’s beauty sleep.
Today, I shall mostly take the day off to rest and relax. I haven’t really had a day off for over three weeks now. I’ll definitely write some liner notes, but that’s about it, I think. I’ll be lazy, I’ll hopefully arise after a good night’s beauty sleep, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages and an important envelope, I’ll try to jog, and I’ll eat something light but amusing, and perhaps I’ll even have a small bag of Beer Nuts.
Tomorrow is our stumble-through, after which I go directly to Book Soup to do a reading/signing. I have no idea if anyone will be there – well, I know of at least four people who will, and after, some of us will go to Genghis Cohen for a little meal. Tomorrow is our sound (and video) check, then we premiere the first episode of season two of Outside The Box, and then it’s show time. I’m sure we’ll go out after for something to eat, unless they have room for us downstairs. Next week is very busy with meetings, meals, and preparing for our shoot.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do a jog, write, hopefully pick up some packages and an important envelope, eat, rest and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – CD, a pile of about fifty CDs sitting here waiting to be listened to. Blu and Ray – more Hitchcock. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland where I shall dream of Beer Nuts.