haines his way

09/01/2002:
"NERO'S BACK IN TOWN"

Well, dear readers, I don’t know how we did it, given it was the dog days of summer and that so many of our regulars were occasionally errant and truant, but somehow we managed to just squeeze by and we bested our best month of July. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too? Now, let’s get back on track and make September a month to remember. No more errant and truant, vacation is over and Nero is back in town.
What am I, Paul Lynde all of a sudden? Has anyone noticed that it’s September? I, for one, am happy about that, because frankly, or even michaelly, August was a most peculiar month. Even though many good things happened in August, there were also many frustrating things that happened. I felt like an August yo-yo, going up, down, up, down, spinning and twirling and still on a string. Well, the string is gone and Nero is back in town. What the hell am I talking about?
Now, even though we’re in the midst of a holiday weekend and we know that weekend traffic is traditionally slower, we must really make an effort today, so that we start September off with a bang. We have a big month planned for haineshisway.com, including brand spanking new interviews, exciting new announcements, thrilling new radio shows, new fancy-shmancy things to look at. In other words, we will not be resting on our laurels nor on our canyons. It’s funny about the interviews – I sent out interviews to ten people and yet only three have appeared thus far. That is because the other seven have been lazy loafers and have not gotten back to me yet. Well, they’d better, or they will be bitch-slapped from here to eternity. Actually one of the errant and truant seven did get their interview back to me, but it is a novella, and we are trying to edit it and get it down to size. Hopefully, that interview will be up and running next week. I will ask, however – are you dear readers enjoying the interviews?
Well, I feel it is time for all of us to click on the Unseemly Button below. I feel we have not done that yet today and now is as good a time as any. So, let us not tarry, let us not dally any further.

Has anyone noticed that Nero is back in town? Well, I finished season three of The Sopranos on DVD. I finished at two in the morning because I simply could not stop watching it. It’s quite addictive. Most of the third season episodes were really excellent, I thought, and had a slight edge on the second season. There were two episodes that were definitely less interesting and successful, and fascinatingly, both of those were directed by the same person, a newcomer to the show, and to my mind one of the most uninteresting directors in television, Jack Bender. Now, I have known (not personally) who Mr. Bender was since he was a fairly uninteresting actor. How do these fairly uninteresting actors become directors? I don’t mean to say that those two episodes weren’t competent, they were. How could they not be – the show is a machine, has two really top-notch cameramen, and strong producers. And yet, both those episodes had things in them that made me want to throw my shoe at the television. A few of the episodes were as good as anything that’s ever been done on television. The cast is really terrific, especially Mr. Gandolfini, Miss Edie Falco, Miss Lorraine Braco and the fellow who plays Uncle Junior, Dominic something-or-other. The most annoying performance in these thirteen episodes happened in one of Mr. Bender’s shows, and was given by Mr. Burt Young. Annabella Sciorra had a recurring part for several episodes, and was fine, although it veered a bit too close to Fatal Attraction territory. Anyway, I can now move on to other DVDs which I’ve been neglecting.
Some of you have mentioned that there have been problems with bringing up the radio show, and I’ve passed those along to Mr. Mark Bakalor, who I have no doubt is prancing around like a wild Satyrnian Bush Pig, having a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Hopefully, this will get attended to quickly. Has anyone been able to successfully hear the radio show in the last two or three days?
I will have the first of several exciting (or not) announcements tomorrow, so do drop by.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must sit at my laptop computer and type pronouncements and I must also get in my automobile and cruise the streets of this city, waving to the passersby as I do. And as I wave at the passersby, I shall also tell them that Nero is back in town. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s free-for-all day, the day you get to post anything your various and sundried hearts desire. So, go to it – post often and post long and let’s start September off with a bang. Post away, my pretties.

Replies: 23 Unseemly Comments

this week's new Broadway Radio Show (which will be loaded this afternoon) is part one in our tribute to New york City (you'd be amazed at how many New York showtunes I found!) -- don't forget to listen in!
Posted by Donald @ 09/01/2002 10:04 AM PST

I WOULD have posted yesterday, thinking that the topic of discussion was going to be BOBBY DARIN and/or SANDRA DEE - but, no, it the topic turned out to be favorite party songs. Well, once and for all, my favorite party song is Jimmy Buffet's MARGARTAVILLE.
Now, let's talk about Bobby Darin.
Posted by td @ 09/01/2002 10:10 AM PST

You'd think this was a holiday weekend! There have only been three posts (including mine) and it's 1:40 in the afternoon on the east coast!?!?! Where are you guys???
Posted by Jason @ 09/01/2002 10:39 AM PST

Just a reminder (even though PBS is trying to hide it with no publicity)... tonight at 9:00 EDT they are broadcasting live the final performance of CONTACT. It's true this is the replacement cast, but it will give those of us who saw Karen, Boyd, Debra and Sean a chance to see how the replacements measure up and it will give those who have never seen the show a chance to see it. True it is not really a Broadway Musical in the true sense of the term, but it is a very enterftaining dance concert which should be seen by fans of musical theatre.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/01/2002 11:17 AM PST

Where are us guys, Jason?
Us guys is here! Enjoying
another fairly lazy Sunday, and
feeling rather odd having
shaved my beard off last night.
Haven't been clean shaven in
a couple years...not too sure I
like it. We'll see just how long
this lasts.
Posted by Jed @ 09/01/2002 11:19 AM PST

This is of interest to anyone in Portland, Seattle, Vancouver or other parts of the Northwest. If you are a Barbara Cook fan now is the chance to see her in person. She will be appearing October 19 in Seattle in "Mostly Sondheim."
I got my ticket on Friday and was told that sales should be brisk starting next week when the brochures go out.
If you would like more info on where to get tickets feel free to e mail me and I will give you the phone number.
Posted by Dennis Clancy @ 09/01/2002 11:20 AM PST

Ooo, thanks for the heads up,
Dennis! May just have to pop
over Snoqualmie for that one!
Posted by Jed @ 09/01/2002 12:53 PM PST

September Song
Refrain
OH, IT’S A LONG, LONG WHILE FROM MAY TO DECEMBER,
BUT THE DAYS GROW SHORT WHEN YOU REACH SEPTEMBER,
WHEN THE AUTUMN WEATHER TURNS THE LEAVES TO FLAME,
ONE HASN’T GOT TIME FOR THE WAITING GAME,

OH, THE DAYS DWINDLE DOWN TO A PRECIOUS FEW,
SEPTEMBER, NOVEMBER!
AND THESE FEW PRECIOUS DAYS I’LL SPEND WITH YOU,
THESE PRECIOUS DAYS I’LL SPEND WITH YOU.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 09/01/2002 02:43 PM PST

Let's hear it for the boy. Bobby Darin that is.I'm with td on that. At the moment this is a Spring place rather than a Summer place but that's not too difficult to ignore. "Multiplication" and the title theme from "Come September" were two of my 45 rpm purchases way back then. The Santo & Johnny version of the theme was a big hit here in my home state and "Multiplication" was huge.
I mentioned last year at some satge that the Bobby Darin Story would be a great biography to film. But who to star - David Campbell of course. Favourite Bobby Darin song - "Beyond The Sea" but there are so many others. I relistened to his "Two Of A Kind" last week.
And what of Sandra Dee. I'm sure she was not lousy with... In my collection I have who singing the title song from "Tammy Tell Me True". That must be collectable. (Along with Debbie Burton's "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane".) Must now away to Breakfast. Hope you all had an enjoyable holiday weekend.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 09/01/2002 02:53 PM PST

It is a September Morn (Neil Diamond) here. At least it is not "September in the Rain" though we certainly need it in our water storages here. Looks light our water will be rationed this year. We were hoping that it would indeed have rained until September.
Posted by Tom Guest (from OZ) @ 09/01/2002 02:57 PM PST

Try to remember the kind of September when...
you knew that was coming, didn't you? Hehehe...
Anyone seen my other half today? Can't seem to find him anywhere...
Posted by Jason @ 09/01/2002 02:58 PM PST

Although it's spring, to me it's still September,
That Septmeber in the rain.
God, I really wish it would rain.
Posted by Kerry @ 09/01/2002 03:36 PM PST

I have been in a sorting and throwing away mood for a week or so now. I am a notorious pack-rat, and I only get in a throwing away mood about every decade or so. So, I am taking full advantage of it. So far, I havew thrown away about 400 pounds (literally) of magazines and papers. Only 2 tons to go!
Posted by Kerry @ 09/01/2002 03:39 PM PST

It is so hot here it's unbelievable. I went out for a bit and it's like a sauna bath out there - over 100 degrees, I think. I have the air on in the house, so I'm better now. I've always been very fond of Bobby Darin's albums - and as a wee sprig of a twig of a tad of a pole I used to really like Splish-Splash.
Posted by bk @ 09/01/2002 03:43 PM PST

I've nothing to add (how pathetic, considering there is not even a topic today). We went to church, then the girls and I cleaned my mother's house, as she is hosting church ladies this week.
Kerry -- that word you used???? Rain? Please refresh my memory, as I seem to have forgotten what that is.
Posted by Laura @ 09/01/2002 05:11 PM PST

Kerry, I hope you're recycling some of that paper!
No, don't let me interrupt you while you're on a roll, just asking.
(Oops, too late, I've stopped her cold.)
Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/01/2002 05:46 PM PST

Ah, is it rain that you all so longingly desire? Thankfully, we have been blessed here in New Jersey with plenty of rain of late, so I've no reason to complain. However, if I could have, I would have gladly emailed, faxed, FedExed, or otherwise sent to you all of the rain that plummeted down upon us today, for it spoiled the long-awaited family outing to the waterpark, which was closed due to inclement weather. My young kids were terribly disappointed, to say the least, and that was difficult to deal with. But the flowers and trees were happy, and my kids will get over it, and the rain can, and will, continue through the night into the morrow. And I will enjoy the sound of the rain on the roof as I drift off to sleep tonight. (Am I rambling? With all this rain, my brain must be waterlogged!) Here's to rain in your own backyards, my friends!
Posted by Susan Gordon @ 09/01/2002 07:11 PM PST

Woody,
OF COURSE I'm recycling! I completely filled the recycle can and am working on doing it again. Thanks for the encouragement.
Bruce,
For two days now, "Dancing Dildoes" has been going through my head. I even find myself singing it aloud at work! (not always the best thing). Is there any remedy for this?
Laura,
Rain is something I THINK I remember seeing once as a child. I'm certain my grandparents told me about it!
Posted by Kerry @ 09/01/2002 07:15 PM PST

While BK is about 330 miles to the south of me, it was hot here, too, today. Not quite sauna-ish...but it must have gotten into the upper 70s on the Oakland side of the bay (a few miles inland becomes radically different -- sometimes as much as 20 degrees warmer).
I, too, welcome September...and look forward to our first rain since April...which probably won't arrive until late October.
But, "Soon it's gonna rain, I can feel it, Soon it's gonna rain, I can tell....Soon it's gonna rain, what are we gonna do?"
I continued my domesticity today...it's all way too much! I am throwing out and scrubbing down and shining up and packing in.
Uh-oh! I'm gonna grill a New York Strip steak...and I'm baking a potato as I type. The coals are glowing, too.
I see it's all quiet on the Francois front! He's either too pooped to pipe up, or he's off work and away from the 'puter! That boy can sure put away the margaritas!
Happy Labor Day to all who are celebrating (or are off work).
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/01/2002 08:50 PM PST

Hey, all! I just got in from celebrating with some former Australians who have been my friends for a decade and then some - so it was an "end of Summer/Start of Summer" celebration.
Darin's recording of "Try to Remember" is quite good.
I'm very partial to his "In a Broadway Bag" album, also his "Sings 'Doctor Dolittle;'" wich features some very fine arrangements.
Anyone else know his "Artificial Flowers" from TENDERLOIN? Charming.
and the "Two of a Kind" album with Mercer is one of my all-time faves - I love Johhny's lyrics on the title tune!
Speaking of Mercer, Darin also did a lovely recording of THE GREAT RACE's "The Sweetheart Tree" as well as a cover (not by Mercer) of the "Theme from 'Cat Ballou'" which is a load of fun.
Happy Summer to all those Down Under!
Happy Approach to Autumn to all others!
I still think that Kevin Spacey should follow through on his promise to make THE BOBBY DARIN STORY.
Posted by td @ 09/01/2002 09:24 PM PST

I'd be happy with Spacey doing the Darin story. WOW!
"Artificial Flowers" is great. "Give Me The Real Thing" line is wonderful.""They'd better" at the end of "Multiplication" is a great touch too. (It did not make it to some of the album CD cuts).
Darin's "That's All" (Mack The Knife etc) album is one of the truly great albums of the fifties
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 09/01/2002 09:42 PM PST

For all those who've been having problems accessing the radio show, our handy-dandy site manager has told me he located the problem and fixed it. So, tune in!
Posted by bk @ 09/01/2002 10:21 PM PST

Where am I? Well, I've spent quite a lot of the day at the dress rehearsal of The Play That Ate My Life (James Reaney's "The Easter Egg", opens this coming Thursday at the Robert Gill Theatre, Graduate Centre For Study of Drama, University of Toronto - 3rd Floor, 214 College Street, Toronto - plug, plug).
The bat-killing scene is particularly funny (no live animals are harmed - or, indeed, used - during the performance - it's an imaginary bat). The designs are all working well, the performances are wonderful, and we're generally very happy with the show. It's a rarely-seen absurdist comedy, and to our very great delight it's working beautifully (the last professional production we can trace was in 1971 in Ottawa).
And now I'm winding down by indulging in the 80s music kick that kicked in yesterday - right now I'm listening to ABC ('Poison Arrow', one of the most gloriously OTT slabs of 80s pop I've ever heard), soon to be followed by A-Ha.
My one concession to domesticity this weekend was to go to Wal-Mart and buy a dustbuster, which I haven't yet used. But tomorrow, on Labour Day, I shall bust every speck of dust in my apartment.
Yes, I know I really need to get a life!
Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 09/01/2002 10:26 PM PST

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